I think that the Big Quilcene River hatchery coho salmon run should prove, numbers wise, to be somewhere in the range of a good to great run this season, and most especially during the month of September, with perhaps some wonderful fishing opportunities persisting as late as the middle of October.

My father recently passed away, and as our family prepared for the funeral, what struck me was not only those fond memories of going fishing with Dad that my brother and myself still held over the intervening decades, but of his grandchildren also holding dear those memories of going fishing with Grandpa.

So, by all means, be sure to take a youngster along and show them the ropes, and be generous, kind and lenient as they are trying to learn – because you want them to enjoy it so immensely they will eagerly want to go fishing in the future.

And please don’t jerk the fishing rod away when they hook up with their first fish. Coach them, but let them do it. If they lose the fish, they are young, and so there will be many other opportunities later on as they continue to learn.

The silver salmon fishery we have each year in the Big Quilcene River is a precious thing, and we are fortunate to have such fishing so very near us.

Be courteous toward your fellow anglers, and provide a good and ethical example by leaving your fishing hole in better shape than you found it (even if it means packing out trash left by others), practice good sanitary measures when it comes to yourselves and your pets, and be respectful of the property of others.

Wishing you the very best of luck in your fishing.

DAN MAGNESON

Quilc