[Uglygreen]

I keep saying im going to go North and try this out one of these years... Anybody feel like maybe buying a 2 day and doing a Hoodsport road trip to Chumville? The following from the WDFW weekly recreation report....

Hood Canal anglers are pulling in 8-to-10-pound chum salmon hand over fist in front of the Hoodsport Hatchery, said Mark Cylwik, WDFW hatchery specialist. "There's plenty of chum to go around," said Cylwik, who counted six boats and 20 bank anglers on a recent weekday morning. Chum are also making their first appearance at a number of other rivers in the region, including Kennedy Creek, the Skokomish River and the Nisqually River. Anglers should check the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet for river-specific regulations.

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The Green, Snohomish, Stillaguamish, Samish and Skagit rivers have been good chum producers in past seasons, and preseason forecasts call for another excellent Puget Sound chum return. Chum are great fighters and will hit spoons - and bright "chum candy"-colored flies - with all the subtlety of a freight train. Daily bag limits vary on the rivers, so be sure to check the 2003/04 Fishing in Washington sport fishing rules pamphlet before hitting the water.

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[ 10-30-2003, 04:06 PM: Message edited by: Uglygreen ]

 

[Fish_N_Russ]

Well,
I would take you up on that UG since ive never met ya but seen many pics of your exploits :smile: but I am going to BC Sunday for several days and from what I hear the chums up there are thick right now :shocked:

 

[Bank Maggot]

WHEN WE GOING UG? :dance:

 

[foxer]

Hmmm...that's something to think about

 

[Green Machine]

UG-

I live on the Skagit. In two weeks it will be Chumville. I've tried to organize some sorta Flotilla in the past..........maybe this year will work. K-15's and sardines are the ticket from the boat. Hang on!!!

Green Machine

 

[dawhunt]

You should call up there and find out what day the indians are netting them , or you'll find yourself fishing inside of a NET !!.I'm serious
its been awhile since I've been there but if i remember right they fish a couple days out of the week and they sweep it.Its not a pretty sight.
Bob

 

[fisheromen]

Tuesday and Thursday they are in the Hoodsport bubble.

 

[The Bad Fish]

if you go i suggest you take a boat. the last time i was there it was shoulder to shoulder people 5 rows thick at the ladder to finch creek and the private property owners are screaming at you to get off their property if you are standing in the water. i had this old dude telling me he was going to call the cops on us and we were in our pontoon boats in 10 feet of water.. good luck..

 

[perfect drift 1]

We have been making the trip for about 6 years now, 12-15 of us go as a group and stay at the motel just north of the hatchery for the weekend. It is what's left of the Vancouver Chapter of SW Washington Anglers. We go the weekend after Halloween, not to be missed each year. We cook and share the rooms as a group. We can always enjoy new folks.

 

[JRfishing]

Hoodsport is a blast if you dont take it to serious. You are fishing the mouth of a hatchery and the limit is (4). Corky and yarn with a small weight and a hook is all that is needed to catch them. You will see all methods including some that are not, well legal. Snagging happens here and know one seams to care. That hatchery is a pure food based hatchery, eggs are stripped and sold and the fish is sent off to be who knows what, I hope cat food and not can for humans.

I use it as a place to take kids to get them excited about fishing. It is also a great place to stock up the smoker and eggs reserve. There is a good launch at Potlatch, just south of Hoodsport. It is worth pulling a boat up, the bank will be thick with fishermen up to their chest in the water and elbow to elbow. Just anchor outside of the markers, inside is for the bankers and they will be out close to you at low tide. You will see some boaters inside the markers at high tide but that is totally low class and not needed to catch these fish.

 

[PTS]

It has been 4-5 years since my last trip to Hoodsport, and I am going to give it a try again this year. I will be flyfishing, and that used to be very successful. It used to be possible to launch pontoon boats at the north end of the hatchery. There was a road down to the water. Is that access still available? There weren't any markers at that time. Are float tubes and pontoons to stay outside the markers? It was always crowded, do flyfishers fit in from the bank? Thanks for your help.

 

[Jimmy Carl Black]

Limit is 4.

Would the meat on these be any good? I don't know that I need any but the fight I keep hearing about would be fun.

I have fished it from the bank for the pinks which rarely if ever bite (I think they're terrified). I caught a few in the mouth and they fight OK using trout rods and 6 pound line.

 

[rola76]

Green Machine,

You say you live on the Skagit? I hit the humpy run this year for the first time, and now know the river fairly well.

Is there a solid run of chums that come through, or at least good enough to come over from Yakima with a sled?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[barnettm]

If you guys are coming up you had better make it pretty quick. The Indians are gearing up for a sweep of the place and the nets will go right across the spawning creek and all the fishable areas. This happens Tuesdays and Thursdays. The place never really recovers once they get going.

 

[ChuckDog]

Barnettm -
In years past, I've always remember the hatchery recording saying 'Netting begins the 2nd Tuesday in November'. Their latest recording states that the indians are netting Tuesdays and Thursdays. You made it sound as if it hasn't started yet...???

 

[CATCH AND EAT]

See ya there Brad. I am there tomorrow.

 

[PayDay]

That sounds like a hoot! I've been wanting to give the Hoods Canal area a try for a couple of years now. If the timing works out I'd go for a day trip and bring my boat that can fish 2-3 or my pontoon boat.

 

[FishaholicAZ]

If you fellas dont want to drive that far for a chum you wont keep, then consider the blank river in the tillamook bay area. I am sure you all know the name of this river. It is the smallest of the four or five rivers that empty into the bay. It is catch and release only for the chums but they get in there pretty thick and its fun fishing. The season closes on the 15 of november. I also have done fairly well on chinook in there as well. Just remember that if you go, to be gentle. That is a fantastic resource and it should be respected. Stay of redds and if you see spawning fish, leave them alone. Also the chinook run is small. Consider releasing your hens in favor of the bucks. One buck can fertilize the eggs of up to seven hens so keep that in mind.
If you do go up north, have fun and remember that many of those streams do not have a hatchery fishery for those fish.

Fish on and show us some pics...
Romeo

 

[ChuckDog]

Well, through alot of research and phone calls on my own, I was able to contact the Skokomish Tribe, who net that area. They began netting last Thursday and will again net next Tuesday and Thursday, from 7am - 4pm.
My next question is: Has anyone been up there on days when they've been netting and how have you done? Has anyone fished it the day after netting?
Last question: Alot of you have mentioned of other places north and south of Hoodsport (I have a boat) where you can hit the lower sound for chum without the crowds and or nets. If you'd prefer to respond via private mail, shoot some info on to me. I'd appreciate any info you have.

 

[Slayer]

could you please pass on the info for contact on the Skokomish tribe. I have some specific questions to ask. Thank you!