Experienced anglers still feel the thrill of a fish biting their line, that electric spark that shoots through your hands and keeps you coming back for more.
And a group of them, the Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishers, know that feeling will be felt by young anglers wetting their first line at Saturday’s annual Kids Fishing Derby at the Lincoln Park Ponds in Port Angeles.
Parents/guardians can register kids ages 5-14 for the free event beginning at 7:30 a.m.
No fishing license is needed for particpants and there is a five-fish limit per angler.
The junior anglers should bring their own poles.
A bullhorn signals the start of fishing at 8 a.m. No early birds, please.
Measurement of fish begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 10:30 a.m.
Awards will be handed out at 10:45 a.m., beginning with the youngest (age 5-6) of five age brackets.
The top six fish in each age bracket will win a rod and reel set. The biggest fish overall will win the fanciest rod and ree and a tackle box filled with fishing gear to keep pursuing the pastime.
Fly Fishers members will be on hand to assist, according to derby coordinator Cliff Schleusner.
“We’ll helpe get rods rigged up and have a central location to tie on hooks, leaders and floats. We’ll also have a certain amount of PowerBait,” Schleusner said.
No fly fishing at derby
Despite being run by the fly fishers, no fly fishing is allowed during the derby — the banks surrounding the ponds are just too crowded with people for that method to be safe.
“This is a spin casting, spinning rod derby,” Schleusner said.
“Powerbait, worms and some people throw spinners. They’ll hit most anything.
“I see people use a bubble, but Powerbait floats, you don’t need the bubble.
“Little kids like to see a bubble, so whatever makes them happy.”
Club members will be wearing club hats and circulating around to help.
Members of the Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishers also will walk around the ponds to help solve tangles and other fishing maladies.
“We will have fly club members out with a bag of leaders, lines, hooks and a net to help bring in a fish,” Schleusner said.
Members of the Olympic Kiwanis will serve hot dogs in the Loomis Cabin at 9 a.m.
The Port Angeles Kiwanis donated funds for prizes for the derby, and Schleusner said assistance also was provided by real estate agent Mark DeRousie, Les Schwab and Swain’s which provides a big discount on all the rods and reels.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Sol Duc Hatchery raises and transports the 1,500 catchables 2 to 2.5 fish per pound and 50 jumbo (1 pound or more) rainbow trout stocked in the ponds.
Port Angeles Parks and Recreation also helps with the event.
Schleusner advises to dress for the conditions, as rain is in the forecast.
He said the club puts on the event “to encourage youth to be fishing, to get outdoors and to enjoy all that there is to offer in this area.”
And there’s plenty of reward in seeing kids make that initial connection with fishing.
“When you see some of those little kids holding up fish that are bigger than some of the fly fisherman have ever caught…they get excited, they have fun and they are so happy.”
Sequim Kid’s Derby next week
The Water Reclamation Pond at Carrie Blake Park is the venue for Sequim’s annual Kids Fishing Day on Saturday, April 13.
Sponsored by the North Olympic Peninsula chapter of Puget Sound Anglers in conjunction with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the city of Sequim.
Fishing begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at 2 p.m.
The club provides rods and reels, bait, volunteers to bait hooks and remove fish and cleaning, icing and bagging fish.
No fishing license is required for kids ages 14 and younger. There is a two-fish limit. A kiddy pond for those 4 and younger will also be on site.
If all that fishing makes anglers hungry and thirsty, hot dogs and drinks will be offered for 50 cents and erved up by club volunteers from the on-loan Swain’s General Store concession stand.
“It’s always a fun day and the kids will catch fish,” anglers’ member Sherry Anderson said.
The pond at Carrie Blake will be stocked with 2,625 catchable rainbows before the event and a share of 610 jumbos planned for April, October and November releases.
Forks Kid’s Derby in May
Early risers will be rewarded at Forks’ annual Kids Fishing Day at the Bogachiel Hatchery Rearing Pond on Sunday, May 5.
Children ages 12 and younger can fish from 6 a.m. to noon. There is a five fish limit per child.
Free coffee, hot chocolate and donuts will be provided by the West End Sportsmen’s Club with donations appreciated.
The club has some poles to loan and fishing gear is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Club members will provide assistance to young anglers. Parental support, supervision and guidance also is appreciated.
The hatchery pond will be planted with 3,400 catchables and 650 jumbos.
Halibut tactics
Expert halibut angler, guide, tackle maker and author John Beath of Sequim will present the Top 10 Tactics for Catching Halibut in the Strait of Juan de Fuca at the North Olympic Peninsula chapter of Puget Sound Anglers meeting on Thursday.
The evening begins at 6:30 pm for viewing the raffle prizes and fish stories. The featured speaker presentation will start at 7 pm followed by our business meeting which includes a financial report, government relations report, upcoming events discussions and fishing reports from members.
The meeting will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave.
Top 10 Tactics for Catching Halibut In The Strait of Juan de Fuca
John Beath, resident of Sequim and Alaska fishing guide, tackle manufacturer and author, this comprehensive talk will include secrets and strategies to consistently catch halibut in Washington and British Columbia’s waters. Beath will cover tides and currents, top baits, lures, anchoring, chumming, drifting, jigging and he’ll share images, local charts and video of halibut fishing. He will also cover the current requirements from WDFW, US and Canadian Customs for fishing in Canadian waters and returning to a US port. Beath is the owner of SquidPro Tackle, www.Halibut.net and www.HalibutChronicles.com
The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. for viewing of raffle prizes and trading of fish stories.
Beath’s presentation will start at 7 p.m.
He will include secrets and strategies to consistently catch halibut in Washington and British Columbia’s waters. Beath will cover tides and currents, top baits, lures, anchoring, chumming, drifting, jigging and he’ll share images, local charts and video of halibut fishing.
Beath also will cover the current requirements from Fish and Wildlife, U.S. and Canadian Customs for fishing in Canadian waters and returning to a U.S. port.
Beath is the owner of SquidPro Tackle, www.Halibut.net and www.HalibutChronicles.com
His presentation will be followed by a business meeting which includes a financial report, government relations report, upcoming events discussions and fishing reports from members.
Refreshments, a member’s raffle of fishing gear and a membership drawing (must be present to win) also will be held. The public is welcome to attend.
