Bluefin Tuna Sells for Record Price
Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji (Sue-Key-Gee) fish market rang in the first auction of 2012 with a 593 pound bluefin tuna that sold for a record $735,000. That amounts to $1,247 a pound, which makes it the most expensive tuna ever sold at Japan’s largest wholesale fish market, or anywhere for that matter. The big bluefin beat last year’s record by over $260,000 dollars.

27 Wolves Now Confirmed in Washington
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlifes year-end survey of the state's five confirmed wolf packs has found three successful breeding pairs totaling at least 27 wolves. The five confirmed wolf packs are the Diamond Pack that resides in Pend Oreille County and Idaho that numbers 10 wolves, the Smackout Pack in Stevens and Pend Oreille County that numbers 5 wolves, the Salmo Pack in Pend Oreille and British Columbia that includes 3 wolves, the Teanaway Pack in Kittitas County that numbers 7 wolves, and the Lookout Pack in Okanogan County that includes two wolves with no pups. WDFW personnel used GPS and VHF technology to track the wolves and will continue to follow up on sightings throughout the state.

Marine Area 9 opens January 16th for Blackmouth
The highly prized blackmouth feeding grounds of Area 9 will once again open on January 16th, with the season running thru April 15th. 2 hatchery Chinook may be retained in Area 9 with a minimum size of 22 inches. 

Puget Sound Rivers to Close for Steelheading
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced yesterday that the Nooksack, Skagit, Stilliguamish, Snohomish, and Puyallup river systems will close to steelhead fishing on February 1st. The upper stretch of the Puyallup River above the Carbon will close on January 16the and both the White River and Carbon River’s will also close on January 16th. Most of the rivers along the Strait of Juan de Fuca will also close early, including the Dungeness, Pysht, and Sekiu Rivers to name a few. The closures are due to low returns forecast for these river system that are well below what’s needed to support fishing pressure. For a full list of river closures visit the Outdoor Line Forums.

Clam Digs Scheduled for 2012
The first razor clam digs of 2012 are tentatively scheduled for Jan. 20-21 at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks. The second tentative dig is planned during President’s Day weekend, Feb. 18-19, at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks. WDFW will confirm these openings are toxin tests clear the beaches. Click HERE for the full press release.

They Start’em Early in Virginia
Tide Water News in Courtland, Virginia reports that a young boy named James Futrell took two whitetail does this past hunting season. Interestingly enough James is only 4 years old. His father, Brian Futrell, says that young James loves to be outdoors and when hunting season came around James really wanted to go. He toted his plastic toy gun along on the hunts and when the deer presented themselves Brian let him use a .410 shotgun to take the deer. Brian says his son loves the outdoors and will also learn to take care of the outdoors. In Virginia…a new hunter is born!

Rob Endsley
The Outdoor Line
710 ESPN Seattle
www.theoutdoorline.com