By Larry Dublanko

For the GH News Group

A common understanding about fishing in Grays Harbor are the fish cycles that exist. Our proximity to the ocean allows for this particularly when we consider anadromous fish. These are fish which migrate up rivers from the sea to spawn. In our area, these fish would include salmon, steelhead and sea-run cutthroat trout.

Along with these fish cycles is the movement of fishers in pursuit of these fish. This would easily be described as fishing pressure at any given point in time or location.

Fishing pressure would also be dictated by the availability of fish. For instance, lake fishing sees a host of anglers near or around opening day. When lakes become depleted of trout, the fishing pressure declines to some extent. In areas where restocking is done or where there may exist a large lake, these tend to host large numbers of fish and even varieties of fish and will affect fishing pressure. In such locations, the fishing pressure may be constant.

When it comes to our rivers, fishing pressure is primarily dictated by the availability of fish. The lower returns of steelhead draw fewer anglers than the masses of fish in lakes. On this subject more anglers pursue steelhead in the winter than in the summer because the winter plants are much larger and more fish are available. Sometimes individual schedules can affect fishing turn out. It is much more difficult to hook a summer steelhead; and so, anglers pick their battles wisely.

During the mid summer months, sea-run cutthroat trout begin to return to our rivers. So, anglers have a good excuse to fish rivers for either steelhead or sea-runs or both.

When it comes to solitude, anglers can find some at a lake when the initial push subsides; or, even at a river during the summer due to the amount of territory they cover.

However, such is not the case when the pursuit of salmon occurs during the fall months. Generous fish populations generally draw larger than normal crowds and sometimes every fishing location is occupied with hopeful anglers. Solitude is at a minimal during the inland salmon fishery.

The ocean salmon season draws larger numbers of anglers; but, this is difficult to realize because of the vastness of water. The area where the crowd converges would be the boat launches themselves. Sometimes a great deal of patience needs to be exercised especially during the launching hours. The take out time is less critical since boats generally stagger their return.

There is a case to be made for fishing cycles in our region. Each of our rivers may have a dominant run of a certain fish species and anglers will need to know this information. This translates directly to fishing pressure as anglers follow the fish. Sometimes this plays well with the psychically of the angler or it may require some adaptation.

Most fishers I know prefer to get away by themselves and have both the water and the fish to themselves, So, there are a number of factors which can provide anglers with some peace and quiet. Some of this is out of their control due to fish cycles.