By Bob McChesney
Executive Director
Port of Edmonds

The King salmon season opened last Friday in both of the marine areas bordering the Port. Our public launchers and dry storage launchers are always busy when the fishing season begins and this year was no exception, in fact it was the busiest weekend of the year so far.

According to the reports we heard from returning anglers, the fishing itself seemed to be quite good for most everyone. We heard a number of stories about boats limiting out.

The Port is situated right on the dividing line between two State regulation zones. Area 9 runs from Edmonds north to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Area 10 goes south from Edmonds to Vashon Island.

Fishing in Washington State waters is regulated by the State and by agreements between sports fishermen, the commercial fishery and the area’s tribes.

Beginning on Friday, July 16, the Chinook salmon season opened in both areas 9 and 10. (For those who limit their fishing adventures to the local supermarket, Chinook and King are two interchangeable names that fisherman use for the same breed of salmon.) The 2010 season will run through the end of August. The minimum legal size for Kings is 22 inches.

As for whether this will be another near-record season, only time will tell. However, activity at the Port was similar to the record 2009 opening weekend. The lines in the morning were not quite as long as last year’s, but launch activity was consistent throughout each day.

It is notable that our guest moorage docks were almost 30% busier than last year. Evidently many boaters came to Edmonds the night before so they could get out as early as possible.

Effective Thursday, July 15, our hours of operation for the public launcher were extended to 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Those hours will continue through mid-September. One exception: We will be opening at 5:00 AM for the Edmonds Coho Derby on September 11.

There is something new this year. Users of our public launcher can take advantage of punch cards we are offering. After paying for five launches they can get the sixth one free.

Meanwhile, fire up the barbecue and the smoker; the legendary Puget Sound salmon season is upon us. Happy fishing to you all, and good luck.