Yeager’s Sporting Goods Marks 105 Years as Fall Salmon Arrive

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Stepping into Yeager’s Sporting Goods in Bellingham this week to gear up for the Opening Weekend of the Fall Salmon Season, we were stepping into a piece of local history.

Kristin Uhrig, Store Owner and granddaughter of the store’s founder, Ira Yeager, announced Yeager’s Sporting Goods will celebrate 105 years in Bellingham with a Labor Day weekend anniversary sale. Soon Kristin was teaching us some of the century-old history of the store as the celebration includes a sale of the Ira Yeager Estate Collection, a rare collection of founder Ira Yeager’s personal boats, outboard motors, Pendleton clothing and other belongings.

The family-owned store traces its history to 1921, when Yeager began selling Evinrude outboard motors from his garage. More than a century later, his grandchildren still own and operate the Bellingham landmark.

Ira Yeager’s Boats, Motors and Pendletons

“The big sale is going to be Labor Day weekend. So we’re combining the Labor Day with the anniversary sale. Like you said, 105 years that it’s been owned by the same family, and we still work here. We’re still trying to keep Grandpa’s dream alive.”

Kristin Uhrig, Yeager’s Sporting Goods

The basement at Yeager’s will become an estate sale and historical display in between the Eddyline kayaks and gun counter, filled with items that belonged to the store’s founder. That estate sale will open during Labor Day weekend and continue throughout September.

“It’s going to be kind of like an estate sale. We’re going to be having some of Grandpa Ira’s things downstairs, some of his motors, some of his boats, some of his Pendletons. Everybody knew that Grandpa wore the Pendletons.”

Kristin Uhrig, Yeager’s Sporting Goods

The Pendleton clothing offers a particularly personal connection for generations of customers who remember seeing Yeager inside the store.

“So all of that stuff will be in the estate sale, and it is going to be downstairs in Yeager’s, and it will run from Labor Day Weekend through September. So you’re going to want to come and check out that. It’s going to be super cool.”

Kristin Uhrig, Yeager’s Sporting Goods

Organizers also plan to serve food outside the store on Saturday of Labor Day weekend.

“And on the Saturday of the anniversary sale, Labor Day weekend, Westy is going to be here serving free hot dogs out front, so you don’t want to miss that either! Free hot dogs!”

Kristin Uhrig, Yeager’s Sporting Goods

From a Garage to a Bellingham Landmark

Yeager started selling Evinrude motors in 1921 before moving the business into downtown Bellingham. He gradually expanded the store’s fishing and hunting inventory until the growing business needed more room.

At the urging of his daughter Marianne, Yeager built a new store on the edge of Bellingham in 1958. The family doubled its size a few years later.

Yeager continued working long after many people would have retired. In 1980, his son-in-law, Frank Uhrig, began purchasing the business. Ira Yeager’s grandsons assumed ownership following Frank Uhrig’s death in 2010.

Today, the store occupies 26,000 square feet and carries fishing, hunting, camping, paddling, skiing, clothing, footwear, toys and housewares. Yeager’s continues to hire local outdoor enthusiasts who hunt, fish, paddle, camp and ski throughout Northwest Washington.

A Family History Rooted Near Wiser Lake

The Yeager family’s roots in Whatcom County stretch back to an era when reaching Bellingham required a long wagon ride from the family homestead near Wiser Lake.

“Yeah, Grandpa said they would come in once a month from where they were homesteading out by Wiser Lake, and they would put rocks in the stove the night before to heat them up and then put them in the bottom of the wagon so they didn’t get frostbite, because it’s a long trip in my wagon. That’s how they kept warm.”

Kristin Uhrig, Yeager’s Sporting Goods

That history will form part of the Labor Day weekend display. Uhrig also shared a family photograph of Yeager with deer hanging at Cornwall Park in 1932.

“Can I show you a picture? This is Grandpa right here. This is in 1932, they were hanging their deer at Cornwall Park in Bellingham.”

Kristin Uhrig, Yeager’s Sporting Goods

The anniversary event gives customers an opportunity to purchase pieces of Yeager family history while looking back at how one man’s garage business became a Northwest Washington outdoor institution.

“And so that is exactly some of the history that we’re going to get here, Labor Day weekend, and it’s all going to be down here on display and on sale!”

Kristin Uhrig, Yeager’s Sporting Goods

Fall Salmon Season Arrives Saturday

Saturday, Aug. 1, marks one of the biggest turning points on Washington’s fishing calendar. The Buoy 10 fall salmon fishery opens at the mouth of the Columbia River, while new coho and terminal Chinook opportunities begin across Puget Sound.

The opening gives anglers everything from the vast Columbia estuary to Bellingham Bay. In Seattle, anglers can even chase kings against the downtown skyline.

However, salmon regulations can change quickly as anglers approach harvest quotas and encounter limits. Check WDFW emergency rules before leaving home.

Buoy 10 Fall Salmon Rules

From Aug. 1-9, anglers may retain Chinook and hatchery coho. The daily limit is two salmon, including no more than one Chinook, and anglers must release wild coho.

Between Aug. 10-24, the rules tighten. Anglers may retain only hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho, with a daily limit of two salmon including no more than one Chinook. Wild Chinook and wild coho must be released during this stretch.

From Aug. 25 through Sept. 2, the original limits return. Anglers may again retain Chinook and hatchery coho, with a daily limit of two salmon including no more than one Chinook, and wild coho must be released.

Finally, salmon and steelhead fishing closes from Buoy 10 to west Puget Island from Sept. 3-30 under the preseason plan.

Elliott Bay Opens for Kings

There is something magical about hooking a king salmon with the downtown Seattle skyline as the setting.

East Elliott Bay and the Harbor Island waterways opened Friday, July 31, and remain open through noon Monday, Aug. 3. In particular, the fishery includes the inner bay east of a line from Pier 91 to Duwamish Head.

The daily limit is two salmon. Chinook must measure at least 22 inches, and anglers must release chum. Unlike the regular Marine Area 10 fishery, the Elliott Bay terminal opening does not require anglers to release wild Chinook.

West Elliott Bay and Shilshole Bay remain closed to salmon fishing during this opening. Harbor Island carries a night closure and anti-snagging rule. In addition, anglers there may retain only fish hooked inside the mouth.

Marine Area 10 remains open seven days a week for non-selective coho fishing through Nov. 15, but anglers must pay close attention to the closed sections around Elliott Bay and Shilshole Bay.

Elliott Bay King Opening
Open: July 31 through noon Aug. 3
Area: East Elliott Bay and Harbor Island waterways
Daily limit: Two salmon
Chinook minimum: 22 inches
Release: Chum
Important: West Elliott Bay and Shilshole Bay remain closed

Bellingham Bay Opens One Month Early

Bellingham Bay opens Saturday, Aug. 1, giving Whatcom County anglers an earlier opportunity to target returning Chinook and coho.

WDFW moved the opening two weeks earlier than recent seasons. As a result, the bay will remain open seven days a week through Sept. 30.

Anglers may retain three salmon per day. Chinook must measure at least 22 inches, while other salmon species carry no minimum size.

Hale Pass remains closed during August. However, it opens Sept. 1 and follows the Bellingham Bay three-salmon limit through Sept. 30.

Bellingham Bay Salmon
Season: Aug. 1-Sept. 30
Daily limit: Three salmon
Chinook minimum: 22 inches
Other salmon: No minimum size
Hale Pass: Closed during August; open Sept. 1-30

San Juan Islands Shift to Coho

Outside Bellingham Bay, Marine Area 7 opens Aug. 1 for hatchery coho after July’s brief Chinook openings.

From Aug. 1-31, anglers may keep two salmon but must release Chinook, chum, sockeye and wild coho. Only hatchery coho with a clipped adipose fin may be retained.

The fishery becomes non-selective for coho from Sept. 1-30. Then, anglers may keep two salmon and retain either hatchery or wild coho, though they must still release Chinook, sockeye and chum.

These rules do not apply inside the separate Bellingham Bay terminal fishery.

WDFW has already used that quota-based provision once. On July 31, fishery managers announced a one-day Chinook retention opening in Marine Area 7 for Wednesday, Aug. 6, citing catch estimates and daily catch rates from the summer Chinook fishery that left enough quota to allow it.

The daily limit that day is two salmon, including no more than one hatchery Chinook measuring at least 22 inches. Other salmon species carry no minimum size. Anglers must release chum, sockeye, wild coho and wild Chinook. Bellingham Bay is not affected and remains open under its own rules.

Marine Area 7 Coho
Aug. 1-31: Two salmon; hatchery coho only
Sept. 1-30: Two salmon; hatchery or wild coho
Chinook: Closed outside Bellingham Bay unless WDFW announces additional quota-based days

Aug. 6 Chinook Opener, Marine Area 7
Effective: Aug. 6, 2026
Area: Marine Area 7, except Bellingham Bay
Daily limit: Two salmon, including no more than one hatchery Chinook
Chinook minimum: 22 inches
Other salmon: No minimum size
Release: Chum, sockeye, wild coho and wild Chinook

Deception Pass Opens for Coho

Marine Area 8-1, which includes Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay, opens Aug. 1 for non-selective coho fishing.

The fishery runs seven days a week through Oct. 11. Anglers may keep two salmon per day and may retain either hatchery or wild coho. In addition, they must release Chinook and chum.

After that, the area closes to salmon fishing beginning Oct. 12.

Marine Area 8-1
Season: Aug. 1-Oct. 11
Daily limit: Two salmon
Keep: Hatchery or wild coho
Release: Chinook and chum

Nooksack Openings Begin Aug. 1

Unlike other rivers, the Nooksack does not have one opening date for the entire river.

Sections of the mainstem below Deming open Aug. 1. From the Lummi Indian Reservation boundary upstream to the yellow marker at the FFA high school barn in Deming, the daily limit is six salmon measuring at least 12 inches.

That limit may include no more than two wild coho, two chum and two hatchery Chinook, and anglers must release wild Chinook. In addition, the lower mainstem carries a night closure and anti-snagging rule.

Farther upstream, the mainstem from the FFA barn to the confluence of the North and South forks opens Oct. 1.

The North Fork from Highway 9 to Maple Creek also opens that day. Through Oct. 15, anglers may retain up to six salmon, including no more than two wild coho and two hatchery Chinook, and they must release chum and wild Chinook.

The South Fork from its mouth to Skookum Creek opens Oct. 1. Internal-combustion motors are prohibited, and a night closure and one single-point-hook restriction apply.

From Oct. 1-15, South Fork anglers may keep six salmon, including no more than two wild coho and two hatchery Chinook, and they must release chum and wild Chinook.

Nooksack Opening Dates
Lower mainstem: Aug. 1
Upper mainstem near Deming: Oct. 1
North Fork, Highway 9 to Maple Creek: Oct. 1
South Fork, mouth to Skookum Creek: Oct. 1

Boundaries and rules change between individual sections. Check the regulation map before fishing.

Skagit Coho Season Opens in Stages

The lower Skagit River coho season begins Aug. 16 from the river’s mouth to the Memorial Highway Bridge in Mount Vernon.

Through Sept. 30, anglers may keep four coho measuring at least 12 inches. Of those, no more than two may be wild coho, and anglers must release every other salmon species.

After that, the limit drops to two coho from Oct. 1-31.

Farther upstream, the Skagit from the mouth of Gilligan Creek to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete opens Sept. 1. The daily limit is four coho through September, including no more than two wild fish.

Several sections around Concrete, Baker River and Rockport do not open for fall coho until Sept. 16. Those sections also carry specialized hook, gear and night-closure rules.

Skagit Coho Calendar
Aug. 16: Lower river below the Memorial Highway Bridge
Sept. 1: Gilligan Creek to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete
Sept. 16: Several upper sections around Concrete, Baker River and Rockport
September limit: Four coho, including no more than two wild coho
October limit: Two coho in most open sections

Anglers Can Record Fish Electronically

Washington anglers may now use an electronic Catch Record Card through the MyWDFW or Fish Washington mobile apps.

The electronic card allows anglers to record salmon, steelhead, halibut, sturgeon and Puget Sound Dungeness crab. Notably, catch information can be entered without cellular service.

Anglers must record each retained fish immediately and before they resume fishing. However, those who choose a paper Catch Record Card must continue recording their catch in ink.

Download the app and activate the electronic Catch Record Card before reaching the water. Regulations and emergency closures can change during the season, so check WDFW’s current rules before every trip.

Before You Fish

Download the app and activate the electronic Catch Record Card before reaching the water. Regulations and emergency closures can change during the season, so check WDFW’s current rules before every trip.

Brought to You By Yeager’s Sporting Goods

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