Moving to Washington

[Texastrouthunter]

Like the title says I will be moving to Washington from Texas for 3 months starting late June for work. Ill be working in the Oak Harbor area but will probably stay closer to Burlington since I haven't found housing in Oak Harbor. Any info on some fun things to do that doesn't involve hipsters and lattes would be appreciated. Ill probably be bringing my kayak up as well (I'm from the gulf coast and love to fish). My contract should be up just in time for the last week of archery in Idaho so I will be looking forward to that.

 

[ODB]

Razor and Manila clamming, and crabbing. Keep an eye on the regs for both. Good stuff.

 

[Brock A]

Ocean fishing, waterfowl hunting and high country blacktail hunting are close to you. If you head to the east side of the state you have great bass, walleye and pan fishing. Also mule deer and upland bird if you're into it. Good waterfowl on the east side of the state as well.

With all that being said, Alaska is short plane ride away

 

[blackpowderhunter]

i wouldn't bother with hunting for the time you're up here for obvious reasons.
swing through johns sporting goods in everett, he's a wealth of knowledge. you could pick up some gear for local fishing on the sound, and a few cheap crab pots and you'll have some great dinners.
take your kayak and go explore the san juan islands one weekend, its beautiful in the summer..but youll wanna make ferry reservations early.

 

[Danny Hoey]

3 months on the north sound is just about right. Long enough to enjoy the scenery around there and not too long that the people will totally get to you.

As for stuff to do in the summer. Crab are all over the place up there, and it's makes for a pretty solid day to dump the crab pots first thing and then troll around for salmon for a few hours and then go back and check your pots. You got dungeness and red rock that you can catch, pay attention to size limits and sex of the crabs. Silvers and Kings will both be around and should be fishable from a kayak, just watch the wind and weather.

North Cascade Hwy will take you through the mountains and is definitely worth at least a day drive.

Take Chuckanut Drive up north, it's worth doing once.

If you haven't been to Vancouver Island, it's worth a day trip.

 

[lonedave]

Head up highway 20 from Burlington and fish Ross Lake. Hike down to the resort pick up point from the highway parking lot. Call the resort from the phone there and they'll come across and pick you up. Rent a boat from them and fish for naturally reproducing trout in the lake. Fishing opens July 1st and it is usually really good. Tell my cousin Wendy at the resort hello!

 

[jspradley]

The San Juans are beautiful, one of my favorite places.

A trip to Seattle for the day to do hipster stuff and drink lattes is well worth it too... its a pretty fun place. Good food there too

 

[Texastrouthunter]

Thanks for all the replies I m stoked about crabbing, never would have thought about that!!!

 

[slvrslngr]

Plenty of fishing to be found in the area. Crab will kick off at the beginning of July and end early September. Salmon will be going as well, chinook are looking low this year but coho should be good. Its also a pink salmon year, but numbers are predicted to be low. All kinds of freshwater as well. The local lakes will be open and some rivers too. High alpine lakes will be open as well. Be sure to get a copy of the regs and all the proper paperwork before you fish/crab. The regs can be confusing, you almost need a law degree to sort through them. One tidbit to be aware of is that ALL fishing in Puget Sound saltwater requires barbless hooks.

 

[Elk97]

Crab opens July 15 here in the SJs, not sure about Anacortes/Oak Hbr, might be the 1st. Holiday sports in Burlington has all the gear and info, great shop. Kayaking is big here in the islands but beware of the strong currents and if the current is against the wind it's bad. Chinook salmon fishing opens July 1, closes July 31 but Coho and pinks go longer. Definitely do the Hwy 20 trip to Winthrop, spectacular.
Enjoy your time here!

 

[Texastrouthunter]

Thank you!!!! Looking for housing now and cannot find anything within an hour of oak harbor. Any leads would be appreciated, thinking about even getting a travel trailer to haul if all else fails

 

[Elk97]

Watch Craigslist for Skagit county. Not sure what you're looking for but should be some apts and houses for rent.

 

[NateO 77]

If your in Burlington check out Holiday Sports. They should have everything you need for fishing and crabbing. They should also be able to help with locations to go. Like others said don't waste your time hunting here.

 

[Texastrouthunter]

Yea I am seriously excited about doing some fishing and crabbing up there, Still debating on bringing my kayak though. Checking out a couple places on craigslist right now which is my biggest headache/concern. Ill also be doing a BHA 3Dshoot in belfair on the 29th just to have some fun and meet some people. Any archery shops other hang outs I should know about?

 

[colersu22]

Riverside archery is in mount Vernon and they have silver arrow bowman up there too, I believe last time I went it was $2 for the walk through course. Lots of good hikes of hwy 20 and if you head north towards Bellingham. I have only fished lake watcom up north for bass but we always do great on that lake.

Bear season will be open too, not sure how much non res price is but there is good hunting up around mount Baker wilderness.

 

[Texastrouthunter]

Riverside archery is in mount Vernon and they have silver arrow bowman up there too, I believe last time I went it was $2 for the walk through course. Lots of good hikes of hwy 20 and if you head north towards Bellingham. I have only fished lake watcom up north for bass but we always do great on that lake.

Bear season will be open too, not sure how much non res price is but there is good hunting up around mount Baker wilderness.

Didn't realize bear season would still be going on, that is a great option and something I've never done!!!!

 

[colersu22]

Yeah opens August 1st so you could catch some time of the season.

 

[slvrslngr]

Didn't realize bear season would still be going on, that is a great option and something I've never done!!!!

Yup can hunt bear then deer starting September 1, if you want to drop the coin.

 

[MuleDeerMike]

The Northwest Mtn Challenge archery shoot is at Steven's Pass in July and is a ton of fun. Probably a 2 or so hour drive South of Burlington. As others have said, bear opens August 1st and can be very good. No bait or hounds but we have a ton of berries at all elevations.

 

[Texastrouthunter]

I will definitely be hunting black bear come August. I should have a good month to scout some places if anyone wants to do some scouting trips send me a Pm!!!!