View Full Version : Hoodsport is critter country
Crittergetter
11-03-2003, 05:16 PM
Last Weekend a couple of buddys and I decided to explore some new fishing territory. I am not sure how we found out about this Chum fishery but we were extremely mistaken on what we thought we would find. Early AM we show up at hoodsport to find every toothless, upside down spinning rod, coon skin hat wearing, backwoods Billy Bob son of a gun "fishing" in one place.. I have never seen so many SNAGGED FISH in my life. The upon ariving at the location i just about packed the guys back in the truck and found some were else to fish(which we did after 45 minutes) This "fishing" made me sick... Why no fish and game with cams handing out citations left and right, they could rake in lots of $ to help build up other fisheries??
I Just hope there were under cover police there taking pics that will serve some justice..
Keith Johnston :shrug:
Too bad you had such a horrible experience. Never made the trip to Hoodsport for that very reason. It has been known as a snagger hole for a long time. Not everyone that fishes there is a creep though...
AuntyM
11-03-2003, 05:43 PM
Don't count on it C22. Glad you found a better place to fish. Anytime folks ask me for info, I try to send them someplace else. This time of year, chums are to be had in many places that the non snagging folks hang out and catch some biters.
MightyMo
11-03-2003, 06:07 PM
22 what was the first clue when you pulled up? The banjo playing in the background?
Why are Backwood Billy Bob murders so hard to solve? The DNA and dental records are all the same.
A nice, hot shower will make you feel better about the whole deal. :wink:
Enforcement at Hoodsport? Nah. Not a priority for WDFW.
Perfect Drift
11-03-2003, 07:46 PM
Whoo, hold onto your knickers, I have been going to Hoodsport for a number of years. I can say, like any other place, you have those that do and those that don't. Pretty sad for those that haven't even been there to judge! Myself and the group I go with, are by no means the folks you speak badly of. For us it is, the group gathering and sharing a fun weekend of catching a ton of fish. Twenty fish on flies in the float tube in one morning, is far from snagging.
This just gets my goat, come on people, stay away from the crowds just like any other place, we all should know this by now. Folks pick on corkie fisherman as all being snaggers and liners, come on !!! We know that isn't true, the same at Hoodsport. Lumping a group or place into one word, is nothing more than, ...... you fill in the words here.
What the Indians do to the fish, is beyond words, no question about it. Many stories have shown on TV and in newspapers, seeing it first hand is worth the trip in it's self.
I've held back on all of the put downs of one group or type of fishing method but this time, I just needed to stand on the soap box. All is does is divide the fishing community even more than it already is. Is that the goal, I hope not.
Just a few words can be very hurtful, being positive and encouraging, the joy and passion of fishing is beyond measure. For most on this site, it is what we do! I guess I'm trying to say is, I was taught, if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all.
Fisherman87
11-03-2003, 08:51 PM
The snagging at the Hoodsport hatchery is really bad. I was really disappointed when I was there in September. There were about 25 fishermen out front just snagging and reeling. I was complaining so loudly my wife made us leave for fear that Billy Bob with the skull and cross bones flag in the back of his pick-up would retaliate. I've spent some time in Hoodsport and there are good fishermen over there but my experience has shown more bad than good when the fish are stacked up.
MightyMo
11-03-2003, 09:05 PM
Jokes aside, you are right Drift. It is unfair to lump everyone together. You pick a fishing hole and your gonna get a snagger every now and then.
Carp Bait
11-03-2003, 10:03 PM
22 Ya went to far! I fished just above Sheldon much closer to the mouth today. Had a great time, found a spot with less than 10 guys far as the eye could see. It took me awhile to catch on to it but the afternoon was rollin in fish. Haven't had so much fun in quite awhile. The folks were real friendly, offered rides into the river, color advice etc. I had never been there before either, I guess it was just the luck of the draw. Better luck next time.
CB
fisheromen
11-04-2003, 07:12 AM
You're right, stay AWAY from that place!!! No sportsmen or biters there for sure! And for anyone else, see you there Friday/Saturday, we'll be in a 14' aluminum skiff with an I-fish sticker catching fish that are hammering our siwash endowed spoons!
CATCH AND EAT
11-04-2003, 09:19 AM
Please don't go to hoodsport. There are never any fish there and Billy Bob and the gang are there with opossum on the spit with tribal corn in tin foil on the fire. :rolleyes:
You are right about one thing. The fish were not on the bit Saturday and there were not a ton of them there either. I was there in the Billy Bob and Eat sled with my dad. Between my dad and I we brought a total of 17 fish to the boat. Dad fair hooked two and I fair hooked 9 and the rest of the fish were Billy Bob'ed :blush: :wink: .
As was said in above post you will find snaggers wherever you go. Some places more than others like the Lewis or Hoodsport but that does'nt mean that fishing those areas can't be fun. I think the reaction a lot of folks have is that "hey that boat is hammering fish" until you realize they did not hook one fair fish all day. They may have caught 50 fish and you may catch 15 but take satisfaction in your skill of the fewer fish hooked in the mouth instead of being PO'ed in the knuckledragger method.
Another hint, if ya know an area has a reputation for snaggers and ya can't stand the heat, go somewhere else like Carp Bait did. He had a great time and met some real nice folks that helped him out. :cheers:
I'll be at hoodsport Saturday looking for hens. BTW, there was a Stater there and there were folks being photographed by the Stater at the end of the Hatchery opposite the entrance just so you know someone was paying attention. :shocked: Don't assume no one is watching because they are. :smile:
Have a nice day.
I spent yesterday at hoodsport and had a good time. I hadn't been there in a few years, but I knew what to expect. Sure, a lot of fish were snagged, but I didn't see flagarant snagging attempts, and all snagged fish around me were released. A few people were without all their teeth, and they were friendly and nice to talk to. As for the "critters" fishing next to me, one was an airline pilot and the other a microsoft exec. If you don't judge people by their looks and get to know them you might be surprised.
As to the fishing, I was flyfishing, and didn't bother to launch my tube because it wasn't that crowded. I had no problem fishing shoulder to shoulder with the gear guys. Hooked a lot of fish, and many were probably foul hooked. Only was able to get 8 to the bank and 5 had the hook on the inside of the mouth. I let everything I catch go anyway.
I do not enjoy fishing in crowds, and plan to make a two day trip for chum the weekend of 15-16 with some friends. We will be flyfishing. If someone would like to give me some info on how to find some fish in the hoodsport area, it would be greatly appreciated.
GoFish
11-04-2003, 10:13 AM
AuntyM says:
"Anytime folks ask me for info, I try to send them someplace else."
Me too. My favorite place to send people to is Arkansas. (Altough, Alabama will do in a pinch.)
:cheers:
[ 11-04-2003, 11:15 AM: Message edited by: GoFish ]
Perfect Drift and anyone else I may have offended, I'm sorry I offended you! I was not taking any shots at anyone that fishes ethically. I have friends that fish Hoodsport every fall. I have been invited repeatedly. After listening to their stories of guys snagging flagrantly, and loudly threatening anyone that called them on it, I decided it is in everyones best interest that I stay away. I realize it is the old 80-20 rule. 20% of the folks make the 80% (law abiding) look bad.
If I was to go, I would kick boat it like Doug and Ray did this year. They flyfish (as do I) and had a great trip. They also told me about the flagrant snagging again this year. This time there were some Law Enforcement folks there, which is great. My point was, that the hatchery outflow at Hoodsport has a reputation for attracting snaggers. If one or two guys out of the whole crowd are flagrantly snagging, would it make you angry? It ruins my trip when I see that stuff going on.
Next time you go up, wear on of Brad's anti-snagging shirts. It might do some good...
kamloops
11-04-2003, 02:11 PM
Bernie
What do you guys do with those horrible things anyway? Are you sure it's not the fish trying to bite the fisherman instead.
I have been shrimping at Hoodsport for 12 years, and have to admit I have never had the urge to go after those things, not even once.
Try Lake Cushman in the summer instead.
CATCH AND EAT
11-04-2003, 02:43 PM
Okay Tom, so they are not as pretty as tuna, as hard fighting as a nook but they do have their merrits. Mainly I am interested in the eggs for springer fishing and could really care less about the meat. The meat is however palatable if you smoke it and smoke it then glaze it with honey and pepper. Not bad if ya mix it with cream cheese and crushed pinapple and spread it on a Ritz cracker.
There have been times in past years up there where the dang fish are bumping into your legs. Gets pretty exciting when that happens. I prefer to fish from a boat and stay dry as possible. I have wanted to hook one of those float tubes and fight one of those to the boat but I have compassion for their right to fish too. :grin: :wink: :cheers:
Chum are excellent fighters when hooked in the mouth. They like to jump and can put on a pretty good show if fished correctly. I guess I am kind of a Billy Bob since I enjoy fishing for them. They have however taken a hunk out of my hand more than a time or two. :shocked:
Mojo, no offense was taken by your post. You were honest with your post and I respect that. Every person has their own feelings about different areas to fish. Point is to go and have a good time. If you know you're gonna have a tough time fishing somewhere then it is best to find something else to do or somewhere else to go.
[ 11-04-2003, 03:46 PM: Message edited by: CATCH AND EAT ]
kamloops
11-04-2003, 03:06 PM
Hoodsport is a wonderfull place to visit or vacation.
Either Shrimping in Hoods Canal or Crabbing or fishing it really is Gods country. The beauty of the Olympic Rainforest, the famous Staircase hiking and backpacking trails.
Take it from us Toothless Washatonians, I see a lot of Lake Cushman stickers on cars in Oregon too. :cheers:
CATCH AND EAT
11-04-2003, 04:00 PM
Seen people talk about shrimping up there but never done it. Saw Aunty M. brag a bit after taking Stew shrimping and proclaiming he was a salty dog. :rolleyes: I understand the crabbing can be fantastic there too. Never have done any of that with exception to the chums which I have fished three years in a row for and had a blast. Would'nt mind jiggin for squid sometime in other parts that I have heard about. Always willing to try something new. I still have a lot of virginity left piscatorially speaking.
The hoodsport area is very pretty and deserves some exploration at some point in my life when I have a little more of a toothless grin. :grin: :wink:
kamloops
11-04-2003, 04:45 PM
Looks like a Shrimping 101 class needs to be on the agenda come sometime in March or April.
I be happy to share what I know.
Throw the pot in the water with enough unknotted line ....that's graemlins/dork.gif :mad: :smile: the 1st lesson. More important shrimping tips to follow.
AuntyM
11-04-2003, 04:45 PM
Saw Aunty M. brag a bit after taking Stew shrimping and proclaiming he was a salty dog. <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">We don't shrimp in fresh water rivers. :tongue: If you're going to be Mr. negative, get your arse up here in May so I can show you how it's done! :grin:
PayDay
11-05-2003, 03:10 PM
Mmmm, those spotted shrimp are tasteeeee! :grin:
We quit going after the limits were reduced about 10 years ago and the effort/reward ratio didn't seem to add up any more. Has anything changed?
Catch 22
11-05-2003, 08:19 PM
Just a quick note that the "catch22" that posted this is not me. :whazzup:
drift fishing fool
11-06-2003, 03:54 PM
from the looks of some of the replies on this topic, maybe ifish is critter country too!
CATCH AND EAT
11-06-2003, 03:59 PM
Originally posted by kamloops:
Looks like a Shrimping 101 class needs to be on the agenda come sometime in March or April.
I be happy to share what I know.
Throw the pot in the water with enough unknotted line ....that's graemlins/dork.gif :mad: :smile: the 1st lesson. More important shrimping tips to follow. <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Sounds like fun Tom! Now you did read what happened with my crab pots right? :hoboy: Aunty Ahem..... Are you Scottishor Irish? :wink: "arse"? :grin: Take care now.
[ 11-07-2003, 07:39 AM: Message edited by: CATCH AND EAT ]
AuntyM
11-06-2003, 04:04 PM
Has anything changed? <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">That depends. Sport shrimpers have discovered that the rest of Puget Sound has some very good spots. The bad news is...
Sport shrimpers get 15% of the shrimp allocation and commercials get 85%. Short seasons, thanks to WDFW Commissioners. graemlins/berry.gif
Hood Canal remains the same 80 shrimp limit. Many children/grandchildren have taken up shrimping since the lowered limit. :wink:
Rumor has it that the WDFW Commissioners are now considering allowing commercials into Hood Canal. If they do.... sport shrimpers won't have any season at all. :mad:
Originally posted by CATCH AND EAT:
Saw Aunty M. brag a bit after taking Stew shrimping and proclaiming he was a salty dog. :rolleyes: <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Me a salty dog? very unlikely :smile:
CATCH AND EAT
11-07-2003, 06:41 AM
She said it, I did'nt Stew. :grin: I knew better. You're more a flies and lies kind of guy. :wink: