I was at Sportco and picked up a flyer. It is an announcement that really caught my eye.

Here is the content:

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife

Presenter Ryan Lothrop, Recreational Salmon Fisheries Manager

Informational Meeting on Sports Fisheries in Puget Sound

Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Time: From 6 - 8 PM

Location: Tacoma Outboard Association Club House
646 North Wilton Road, Tacoma, WA. 98465
Located at Rocky Point off Titlow Park

For more information call: (253) 591-5325


This is an excellent opportunity for us sport fisheries to meet face to face with the WDFW Recreational Salmon Fisheries Manager. Let's show in good numbers and let them know we care. Better than just posting dome and gloom here!

I believe this is in cooperation with the good folks at the Pt. Defiance Marina (Tacoma Parks and Recreation). From what I was told this is the first of what may be a series of similar meetings with WDFW Staff if all goes well.

I did see one bit of info from that flyer that has me concerned. If you do a Mapquest search using the addess provided it will send you to the end of 6th Ave. and across the railroad tracks to South Wilton Road. That is NOT the location of the Tacoma Outboard Association which is where I am sure the meeting is being held.

What I believe to be N. Wilton Road (there is a new road sign) is at the upper end of Titlow Park and cuts N and W. It is visible if you do a Mapquest inquiry but does not have a name assigned to it on the map. In short, if you go to the end of 6th Ave and find the Beachcomber Tav you have gone too far. Turn around and head back the way you came. As you climb you will have the open park area on your left. Take the first left turn through the (open) swinging gate and continue over the wooden bridge at which point the facility is to your right.

This is the same location where Puget Sound Anglers Gig Harbor meets and, yes, we all know it is not in Gig Harbor.

Thanks for the clarification on the location. I took the address right off the flyer.

Hope everybody finds it and we have a standing room only turn out!

I am sure you got the address right - just that for folks not familiar with TOA's location who use Mapquest for help can be sent in the wrong direction.

Coming down the hill on 6th. Ave from Jackson (the exit off SR 16) there is no really good reference for this little access road except the new sign and it will be after dark.

If you Google Tacoma Outboard Association you should get a map showing TOA at the end of the road I described in my first post.

This would be a good opportunity for those of you who may have some questions about the how's and why's our seasons are set the way they are. Ryan is a good guy that I had the chance to take out fishing last year in A10 where we did a little fish filming for those who are getting into sport fishing and may need help in identification of adult salmon .

Ryan Lothrop is the new coordinator for the Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries Enhancement Fund. He took over from Steve Theisfeld who has moved to the Region 6 Fish Manager position.

His primary presentation information is going to be about the PSRFE program and how your license dollars (remember the old $10 salmon stamp fee?) are being used to enhance Chinook stocking programs in Puget Sound but also some coho plants and some ling cod research that was done in the South Sound.

He won't be talking much about the NOF process, but will be able to answer some questions. The pre-season forecast numbers for the 2014 salmon returns isn't available yet. Those numbers will be coming out at the first NOF meeting which will be in Olympia on March 3 at the DNR building.

Thanks for the heads up.