WA coast and regs question

[Jim Fitz]

I am going on a backpacking trip that will go from Cape Alava to Sand Point a few miles south (the loop that starts and stops at Ozette Ranger Station area). I am totally unfamiliar with beach fishing except for SRCs in the sound. Should I take my fly rod? I am inclined to carry by 10' 7wt. and cast bait fish patterns and see what happens.

I also need to figure out the regs. The land there is in Olympic National Park. Where do the WDFW regs take affect? On the beaches? Some point tied to the tides? My first scan of the WDFW regs for the area came up empty.

Any advice appreciated.

Jim

[ibn]

Basically everything is open in marine area 3 and 4 right now, surf perch are open year round on the coast as are rockfish. You will need a saltwater license and a catch record card should you run into any salmon. I don't know those beaches very well or I would offer up more advice where to fish.

[Jim Fitz]

Thanks ibn. I didn't expect a whole lot of advice on this question. True WA coast fishing is kind of on the fringe for this forum. I will give it a try all the same and see what happens.

Jim

[salt dog]

I've done some beach fishing North of Ozette, around Shi-Shi beach and around Point of Arches, though not well enough to be giving anyone else advice, except that its fun, challenging, and beautiful. Oh yea, there is one thing, Jim: don't forget to jump when the big rollers come through. :eek: Shewey's book, Trout and Beyond, has a chapter on Ocean fly fishing in the NW.

Wear a tight belt, and no casting basket: they get really heavy when suddenly full of surging water. Expect steady hard wind coming straight at the beach from the West. There are State record Perch to be found in the area, but getting a fly line out to them and deep is a challenge, maybe more suited to a 9 or 10 wt rod with a sink tip. Then again, you may get off days where the wind and swells are minimal.

If you do come across any creeks emptying out into the Ocean, you can find some nice surprises inside the creek estuarine area that will make you glad to have a 7 wt rod. ;) Use coastal cutthroat flies. Outside the creek outlet area, you might find andronomous fish waiting for freshets if your timing is right.

At low tide in rocky areas you will have good targets over manageable distances in and around the protected area of the exposed rocks. Much easier than taking a pounding on the open beaches. Night fishing can be interesting too. Bring some clousers, or other weighted flies to get down fast. A low tide at first morning light can uncover dungeness crab over some open beach stretches; like picking up grape fruit off the ground.

Keep your eyes open on the rocks along the beaches: several places around Ozette have neat looking Petroglyphs carvings of whales in the rocks.

I don't know the terrain below Sand Point, but walking around headlands near Point of Arches it was always a concern that you not get caught stranded by a rising tide.

Sounds like a memorable hike, it was for me

[Uncle Jimmy]

Ten foot seven weight and a type 4 or 5 sink tip. Dead low tide around the rocks. It kind of all depends on the surf conditions you get. If its flat you could have some great fishing for rockfish, surf perch and maybe salmon, if its rough yer screwed. When will you be there? I have a multi day kayak fishing trip going on out there next week.
Jim

[Jim Fitz]

Jimmy,

I'll be getting to the beach area Saturday night and leaving it again Monday morning.

Thanks for the all the advice. At least I am not as discouraged about getting voted down for a hike along an OP river. I did see one creek that we'll cross along the way but it looks a little short for supporting any large fish spawning stuff. Will check out for whatever is there all the same. I think I got the flies recommended covered but will need to take some heavier tips. I was only going to take my intermediate sinker.

Now I got to pray for non-surfing conditions.

[Jeff D]

Just in case...
If you fish the rivers N of Shi Shi on the reservation you'll need a tribal license - available in Neah Bay at the Washburn's grocery store.