Heads Up, Area 10 Blackmouth Anglers: Don Armeni Ramp Still Without Floats

“Bring boots.”

That’s the advice for blackmouth anglers launching at the Don Armeni ramp from the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department.

The twin floats have been pulled for emergency repairs and won’t be back in place till early next month, so salmon fishermen looking to get onto Marine Area 10 for the Wednesdays-Saturdays season this month should come prepared for rough launching conditions until then.

“The float fabricator will mobilize to site next week to begin repairs to the float system so it can be placed back in service, with work to be completed by the first week in May,” Karen O’Connor, a communications advisor with the city, said today. “I did ask the fabricator to open one side first, so at least we can restore partial service in April. This schedule is, of course, weather dependent. The launch will be open; however, no floats until then, so yes, please bring boots.”

Having a fishing partner to hold the boat while parking the trailer is also advisable.

The repair timeline means that lingcod anglers in May should be able to use repaired floats.

Meanwhile, a WDFW source reports today’s blackmouth opener on Area 10 has been good, with a good number of resident kings caught at Jeff Head, including some nice-sized specimens.

While season is scheduled to run four days a week through April 30, the fishery is operated under several controls, including a Chinook guidelines of 4,787 total encounters, 735 total unmarked encounters, and 4,055 total sublegal (i.e., kings under the 22-inch minimum size limit) encounters that could lead to an early shutdown if they are met.

Blackmouth anglers without boots or buddies can also launch at the Eddie Vine Boat Ramp between Shilshole Marina and Golden Gardens Park.