The town of Soap Lake is filled with bikers. Harley bikers, decked out in leather and traveling en masse. But there's a softer side of Soap Lake -- one well worth visiting for a quick weekend getaway covered in mud.
By Sara Kennedy | July 4, 2008
Winter-run steelhead are trickling into many rivers, but it's early yet and nobody's crowing about the action. River fishing for chum and late coho is fading, and never was spectacular anyway. Chinook catches on the marine waters have taken a bit of a dive over the past week, and some key northern areas close at the end of the day Friday. Probably the best bet lately has been chinook fishing on the saltchuck, and the best of that has been in central and south Puget Sound.
By Greg Johnston | November 29, 2007
The Skykomish River opens June 1 from the Lewis Street Bridge in Monroe to the Wallace River mouth for hatchery-marked chinook.
"The Skykomish should be good when the king fishery opens, and success depends on the water conditions," said Bryan Nelson at Three Rivers Marine and Tackle in Woodinville. "I've had friends who did quite well on summer steelhead off the west side of Whidbey at Fort Casey, and all those fish are turning the corner and heading to the Snohomish system."
By Mark Yuasa | May 24, 2007
There are plenty of fishing options to ring in the New Year, including razor clam digging on all coastal beaches.
Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks and Kalaloch beaches will open Sunday; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Kalaloch will open Monday; and Twin Harbors will also be open Tuesday.
Digging is allowed from noon to midnight each day.
"We had good clam digging on all the open beaches," said Dan Ayres, the head state Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish biologist.
By Mark Yuasa | December 28, 2006
SHELTON -- Hammersley Inlet is the narrowest of the glacially carved waterways that curl around south Puget Sound like the gnarled fingers of a witch, funneling and propelling the tides to create what local kayakers call the "Shelton shuttle."
You can ride the rippling currents from Shelton seven miles out to the Sound, past forested green bluffs through seal-rich eddies and otter-visited coves. Then wait for the tide to turn and you can catch the briny currents of the flood back.
By Greg Johnston | July 13, 2006
A longstanding fishing tradition in Washington -- opening day of seasonal lowland lakes -- will recommence on Saturday, and it looks to be one of the better ones in recent years.
The traditional trout opener always falls on the last Saturday in April, and this year it couldn't be much later, falling on the penultimate day of the month. That's important because along with recent warm weather it has allowed water temperatures to climb into the mid-50s, optimal for fishing.
By Greg Johnston | April 27, 2006
Blustery weather greeted anglers on Central Puget Sound for Oct. 16's chinook opener, but those who braved the storm managed to find a few fish.
"I fished Kingston for blackmouth and we got one fish , and there was baitfish in the area," said Gary Krein, owner of All-Star Charters in Everett.
The Tengu Blackmouth Derby started on Sunday in Elliott Bay, and 48 anglers caught two chinook and one chum.
By Mark Yuasa | October 20, 2005
Short Trips
EUGENE, Ore. -- One of the first things to remember when you're in downtown Eugene: bicyclists have the right away.
Eugene, combined with Lane County, has the second-highest population density in the state but is still considered one of the most bicycle-friendly towns in the country. Miles of bicycle paths crisscross downtown streets and local parks, as well as local wetlands and along the Willamette River.
By Jeff Larsen | September 22, 2005
The outing: If 702 acres of in-city wilderness doesn't excite your Northwest genes, nothing will. If you've never visited Tacoma's Point Defiance Park, home to these 702 acres, then it's time to excite your genes.
By Terry Tazioli | June 23, 2005
CANNON BEACH -- The place is steeped in Northwest history, jammed with things do -- hiking, surfing, fishing, crabbing, birding, biking -- and crammed with great places to stay.
But the thing about the Oregon Coast that stays with you are the seascapes -- the stunning convergence of endless surf crashing against time-worn sea stacks and rocky capes cloaked with wind-bent spruce trees.
Somehow just looking at them soothes the soul and fills you with wonder.
Has anyone ever visited here and not wanted to return?
By Greg Johnston | June 16, 2005
