Out & About: Wildlife League to hold monthly meeting

The Vancouver Wildlife League will hold its monthly members meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the WDFW Region 5 headquarters in Ridgefield. The meeting will run from 7 to 9 p.m., and the guest speaker will be Kevin Young. He will discuss the need for additional equipment for next year’s Special Kids Fishing Day at the Merwin Hatchery in July.

The public is welcome to attend.

Two more days left to dig razor clams on Long Beach

Long Beach razor clammers have two days left during the recent slate of digs on the peninsula. Low tides today and Friday will finalize the digs that started last Saturday.

The WDFW announced the digs last Thursday, after testing showed the calms were safe to eat.

“The health and safety of clam diggers is always our first concern, so we appreciate people’s patience while we worked with our partners at WDOH to confirm that these clams are safe to eat,” said Dan Ayers, the WDFW coastal shellfish manager in a news release. “We hope that everyone is able to get out and enjoy safe, productive digs at these beaches.”

The upcoming digs are scheduled for the following days and low tides:

• Oct. 31, Thursday, 9:50 p.m., -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

• Nov. 1, Friday, 10:38 p.m., -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

No digging is allowed before noon during these evening digs.

Clammers are reminded to pay close attention to the surf during night-time digs.

Clammers must do their own digging, and each participant must keep their clams separate. 15 razor clams a day are allowed, and the first 15 clams dug must be kept.

More information can be found on WDFW’s razor clam webpage at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/.

Fall Chinook fishing restricted on Oregon north coast rivers

Oregon fisheries managers have restricted fishing for fall Chinook on all north coast rivers due to poor returns of fish. These restrictions will run from the Necanicum River south to the Siuslaw River.

Starting on Nov. 1, fishing for Chinook salmon will be limited to areas downstream of the upper tidewater markers on each river. Only one chinook may be kept per day, and a total of only three fish will be allowed from Nov. 1 through the end of the year.

Catch rates have been very low for all these streams.

“We’ve had calls from many anglers that are concerned about the apparent low returns. These emergency actions will reduce the harvest of these fish to help ensure we see the escapement levels needed for these populations,” said Chris Knutsen, ODFW Northwest Watershed Manager in a news release. “We expect the fish that are currently present in the upper tidewater areas will move upstream with the rain and these closures will provide additional protection for those fish while we see how the rest of the run progresses.”

Fishing for Chinook remains open in the bays and estuaries, where fish will still be available for anglers.

These sections will remain open for other species, including steelhead. In most cases the closures will remain in place for the remainder of the year.

Visit the ODFW website for details.

Mt. Hood Meadows season pass deadline is Nov. 3

Those intending to ski Mt Hood Meadows this year should purchase their all-access season pass by the deadline, Nov. 3. The All Access Pass includes every day and night access to all lifts during the 2019-20 season.

Purchasing the pass before Nov. 3 will save skiers $310 dollars.

The Meadows Value Pass is also available through Sunday and will save snow enthusiasts an additional $100.

Meadows season passes are on sale now at the resort website SkiHood.com.