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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 2021)
Buoy 10: The Columbia Press 4 Buoy 10: 2021 season opens and so far, so good Continued from Page 1 first 10 days of August) and one hatchery coho per angler per day. The Buoy 10 fishery is named for a channel marker at the mouth of the Columbia Riv- er, which marks the western boundary. The eastern bound- ary is 16 miles upriver near Tongue Point. The event attracts thousands of anglers to Clatsop County and Pacific County, Wash., fill- ing campgrounds and marinas and clogging local highways. Warrenton had some prob- lems last year because of illegal camping and criminal activity. This year, the city developed a plan of action with more signs and more personnel to handle the crowds. “We’ve had no issues on the police side,” Police Chief Matt Workman said. “The parking lots and camping areas have August 6, 2021 not been full, as far as I have seen. This weekend will be much busier and be a good in- dicator on how the season is going to be.” The city of Warrenton’s two marinas and two camping ar- eas were not yet full, although 700 to 1,000 launches a day are expected this month, Har- bormaster Jane Sweet said. “So far, so good,” she said of the season. “We kind of start slow and things really will pick up the weekend of the 14th. I think we’re going to have a re- ally great year, if our reserva- tions and moorages have any- thing to say about it. There are a lot of people in the basin.” Public Works put up addi- tional fencing and signs to en- sure people camp in the proper Your local guide to Business and Services areas, and heed “No Campfire” rules. Last year, the marina office was short a full-time person and was unable to hire any staff because of a city-imposed COVID-19 hiring freeze. Peo- ple camped illegally and some tried to launch without paying. This year, the city marina staff is at full force and three seasonal employees were hired to help manage visitors. “We really, really tried to prepare,” Sweet said. “But you think you’ve got it figured out and then something else comes up.” Hundreds of thousands of salmon are making their way from the Pacific Ocean, through the mouth of the Co- lumbia and past Warrenton and Astoria on their way up- stream. Thousands of fisher- men are here to meet them. While some residents be- moan the influx of tourists, the season brings a powerful fi- nancial boost as tourists eat in local restaurants, stay in hotels and campgrounds, visit local attractions and shop in stores. Regulations To be included in the business and services directory, call Peggy at The Columbia Press, 503-861-3331. Fishing licenses can be purchased at Big 5 Sporting Goods, Fred Meyer, Super Mart 9 in Warrenton and Super Mart 10 in Hammond, Tackle Time, and the Astoria/ Warrenton/Seaside KOA. General: Chinook must be longer than 24 inches, and coho longer than 16 inches. Wild coho must be released. All steelhead must be released through Oct. 31; retention of jack salmon is prohibited through Sept. 30. Aug. 1-10: Daily bag limit is two hatchery salmon, but only one may be a Chinook. Aug. 11-Sept. 6: Daily bag limit is two salmon, but only one may be a Chinook and the coho must be a hatchery. Sept. 7-30: Daily bag limit is three hatchery coho. All Chinook must be released. Nov. 1-Dec. 31: Daily bag limit is three hatchery sal- monids, but only two may be steelhead. All Chinook must be released.
