This weekend is welcome relief from the dismal fishing season we had this year.

Next to the trout opener in the spring, Oct. 16 marks the biggest weekend for outdoorsmen throughout the state.

Deer, duck, pheasant, bear and cougar seasons will all be open for those of you who get out and hunt with a firearm.

In fact, tomorrow I will head over the mountains to get a jump on the weekend rush of hunters that flock toward their favorite hunting grounds on the east side of the state.

Some of my friends and my new (to me) trailer will be along for the ride.

I got spoiled last year when my hunting partner had a cab over trailer and we spent 10 days on the hunt.

I do remember the times I spent in a tent and they will be missed. At least for the first few hours while we are setting camp up.

I hope that I can bring you better news from my hunting trip compared to the fishing trips I’ve had this year.

Fishing report

Not much to say here. Lousy best describes the action around local waters this year. I wish I had some insight as into why it was so bad.

One reason could be the state’s miss management of its resources. I have talk to local anglers one too many times who were disappointed on how the fisheries have been managed. There seems to be a general feeling among anglers that there are too many fingers in the cookie jar and there’s not enough to go around.

From expensive fishing licenses, to game wardens who write citations for every minor infraction— it seems because the Department of Fish and Wildlife is hurting for money, the small guy usually takes it in the short.

Remember November is voting time and if you don’t vote, then don’t complain.

If you are going to fish you should try the south end of the island or one of the rivers around the area that I’ve mentioned recently.

Coho still seem to be the bulk of the reports but bulk says nothing about how the run is doing. Rivers like the Samish and Skagit have been slow, but at least the fish when the fish are there, they get schooled up together.

Hunting report

There was a lot of action at the local pheasant release sites over the weekend and a whole lot of hunters enjoyed what the base has to offer. Pheasant hunting will be open until the end of November so get out now while the weather is good.

Oct. 16 is a big day as I mentioned.

Duck hunting season will open until Oct. 20 and re-open on Oct. 23 through Jan. 30. Be sure you know what you are shooting at. Pintail and canvasback will not be legal to shoot until Dec. 7 and there are always a lot of pintail early in the year.

Modern firearm deer season will open too and it is sure to draw a big crowd. If you are going to hunt on the west side of the state, be sure to get up early. Black tails tend to be primarily nocturnal during the early part of the season and can best be seen early in the morning or towards sunset. They will stay out later as the season progresses.

If you are going to hunt the island please be very careful. Hunters have not been on the best spotlight over the last year and we certainly want to make sure we don’t give anyone an excuse to close hunting on the island all together.

Remember to be safe, be seen and most of all have a good time.

Until next time I wish you all the best of luck and hope to hear your success stories.

Be sure to e-mail me at: whidbey_fff@yahoo.com with any information on the local outdoor scene.

Ed Olham’s Fish, Fur and Fowl column appears every other Wednesday in the sports section of the Whidbey News-Times.