Out & About: Idaho family lands Washington fishing resort

Outbuy: One of Washington’s oldest sport fishing resorts – Olson’s Resort in Sekiu, operated by Arlen and Donnalynn Olson – was sold last week with an agreement the new buyers keep it operating pretty much the way it has for nearly eight decades, the Seattle Times reported.

The family-owned resort on the western edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Clallam County opened in 1936. It was for sale since 2004.

The sale quieted rumors that dramatic change could come in the small fishing town if the resort were bought and turned in to a private retreat.

The resort was acquired by Mason Family Properties, a company based in Murtaugh, Idaho, that also owns an RV campground and ranch near Twin Falls.

“We love to fish and hunt, and found out the resort was for sale back in February, and Sekiu sounded like a paradise for fishing,” said Dawn Mason, who’s moving to Sekiu with her husband, Brandon.

The Masons plan some immediate upgrades and will operate the resort as a fishing destination.

Arlen Olson, the son of resort founder Alvin Olson, will stay at the resort “and he plans to be here until the day he dies,” Mason said.

“At first Arlen and his family were skeptical about selling to us, but we’re going to keep it open to the public,” Brandon said. “I have a five- to seven-year plan that will turn this place around. It was a huge investment on our part, but a good purchase, and we came to great terms on a fair price.”

The terms of the deal were not revealed, but the list price when the 20-acre resort went up for sale in 2004 was about $3.8 million.

Although Sekiu is famous for salmon fishing, the resort’s future plans also include other outdoor actvities like kayaking and bird- and storm-watching.

The resort has its own 1,000-foot breakwater, constructed many years ago by the Olson family. The unique feature would cost millions of dollars to build today. Sekiu – a Clallam Indian word for “calm water” – is one of the few places where small-boat anglers are protected from winds that often blow through the strait.

“I said to my wife that it is every little boy’s dream to own a fishing resort,” Brandon said with a laugh, “and she corrected me by saying, ‘No, it is every little girl’s dream.’ ”