Conference wahoo::fishing

    Well, just saw your note about vactioning in the NW for the last
    two weeks of July.  If I'd seen it earlier, I might have been able
    to help you out.  We were given the month of July off, so i guess
    I was out fishing then.
    
    How did you do???
    
    Brett.

    I got my first big one a 32lb 14oz salmon .I went out of west port
    Washington with a charter service when I caught it ,it fought for
    about 45 min.I wasn't sure who was going to tier first I am sure
    glad she gave up first.I also caught a 10 lb the same day.Had A
    great time.
    
    Russ
    

    Atta boy Russ!  That's bigger than any salmon I've ever caught.
    
    My wife said she talked to you the other day.
    
    We're headed out to Sekiu this weekend to try and nail one of those
    40 lb mounting salmon.  I hear the silvers are running hard and the
    kings have been hiding the last couple days.  Hopefully, they were
    waiting for us. :-)
    
    /brett
    

    I guess this is the place to put this.
    
    I'm leaving this weekend for a week on the boat in Brett's stompin
    grounds - San Juan Islands.  We will put in at Anacortes and should
    be fishing within 1/2 hour.  We will be staying on Orcas Island
    which has great bottom fishing within 100 yards from the dock. 
    
    For those of you who haven't seen this set of islands you haven't
    lived.  It is a very productive fishing place (salmon, bottom fish
    and halibut) and is one of the best places in the world to cruise
    around and look at the scenery.  
    
    I'll let you know how we did.
    
    
    Ken
    
    
    
    
    

    Doesn't halibut open up there this weekend?
    
    You should have a great time.  The humpies are still running
    so bring some pink squid in case you can't find the kings!
    
    /brett

    I guess there is really no reason to open another topic for fishing
    in the Sound even though this one doesn't get much action.
    
    I went up to Hood Canal last weekend for some blackmouth fishing,
    crabbing, clamming and oystering.  After some trailer brake problems
    on mine and a blown tire on another guys, we made it to the town
    of Quilcene.  (Bret, you probably know where that is.)  Saturday
    morning til noon, no salmon, one halibut (too small), and lots of
    dog fish.
    
    At noon we picked up the wives, kids, etc., and headed across the canal
    to crab, clam and oyster.  At about halfway across the canal a sea
    plane landed in front of us cutting us off.  They signaled for
    us to stop and shut down the motor.  A Navy guy gets out and informs
    us we are in a torpedo firing range and the motor might attract
    the torpedoes.  He then points out the lights on the shore we should
    have seen.  When they are red, don't cross.  After he pointed them
    out, they became obviouse, but they still were miles away from us.
    We had to sit with the plane for about 25 minutes until the shoot
    was over.  They then allowed us 10 minutes to get across.
    
    We got tons of oysters and clams.  You have to shuck(?) the oysters
    on the beach so the shells provide a place for the new oysters to grow
    from.  When it came time to leave, the lights were still red so
    we kind of cruised up and down the shoreline to kill time.  About
    5 pm a big sub surfaced and, after a few maneuvers, headed toward
    base.  The lights turned yellow and we made it back just at dark.
    What an experience, but the oyster and clam feed that evening made
    it all worthwhile.
    
    I still think the Sound is greatest and most versatile body of water
    going.
    
    
    
    Ken  
                                                       

    Wow!  That sounds great.  I've been thinking of going over there
    for some crabs and crustaceans.  My boss lives on Gamble Bay which
    is near the entrance of the hood canal coming from the sound.  He
    get clams right outside his back door.
    
    The shellfish from the hood canal are great.  I have talked to folks
    over there and they've told me that the hood canal used to be just full
    of blackmouth but that they have done very poorly fishin for blackmouth
    in recent years.  They don't seem to know why.  
    
    Thi past weekend I went on a float trip down the sky with a friend of
    Pat's (see, I had to mention it).  I caught my first steelhead.  It was
    a 12 lbs buck that was as bright as polished chrome.  Wow!  What a
    fish.  It made all those cold days seem worth it even though it was
    sunny and warm on Saturday.
    
    Remember fishing fans, what kenny chinook said is just one man's
    opinion.  The truth is that the Northwest is the pits!  It rains here
    all the time.  You'd hate it!  Don't come here.  If you like slugs
    and moss all over the place, then maybe you would like it here.
    
    /brett

    Brett,
    
    Congratulations on your steelie.  Got a 5# in Jan and a 14# in Feb.
    out of the Sno.  The season's over, looks like time to put it out
    in the big water and try  for some of those tyee.  Sure hate when
    I miss a strike since I'm bailing all that rain out the boat though.
    
    Picked up a couple of blackmouth and silvers last year but fished
    mostly Hat (Gedney) and Camano Islands but I am a novice to the
    sound and spent most of the season learning my boat.  What's the 
    chance of picking up a few pointers on gear, methods, strategies,
     etc. for out in the sound from you veteran's?  Any body up for
    salmon ralley (can't have a tourney here without registering) in
    the near future.  Afterwards we can all rag in here about it always
    raining on weekends, cloudy during the week and the random snow
    and ice storms in the summer.
    
    
    Mike S.
    

    Kenny Chinook
    
    The Hood Canal is a great place.  20 years ago I lived on the bluffs
    a couple miles north of Bangor.  Out my front door, cross the yard,
    200' straight down to the water.  There was a decent beach (small
    pebbles) for clamming and oystering a few hundred yards from my
    house.  When the silvers were running you could catch them from
    shore by wading out about knee deep and using spinning gear with
    1/4 or 3/8 oz. lure like a Rooster Tail (silver body, white tail
    my favorite & most productive) or Kastmaster.  The runm seems to
    definitely have tapered off.  There are a lot of opinions as to
    why ranging from virtually closing off the mouths of rivers with
    nets to the fact that commercial fisherman have drained the stock.
     It depends upon who you talk to.  Went clamming and oystering there
    last year, and it was good, but haven't fished it in over 10 years.
     The sun never comes out over there and after spending a few days
    it takes weeks to get the moss off of the back.
    
    Mike S.
    

    Mike,
    
    I would be happy to get together with you.  I'm no expert, but I've
    put in a few hours over the last 3 years.  There's always so much more
    to learn.  You're welcome to any tips I can give you.  I've been pretty
    lucky in this respect as my boss is a native Bellevue-ite and salmon
    fisherman-extraordinaire.  
    
    With this great weather we're having, I will surely be going out this
    Saturday.  I usually put out at Edmonds (the sling).  The tide change
    is at 10:00.  This would be a perfect mooching tide at Point No Point.
    I was thinking of trolling at dawn just south of there at a favorite
    (underfished by the crowd) spot of mine and then heading up to No Point
    for the tide change.
    
    If you want to meet out there, we could do that.  If you'd like to meet
    before-hand or some other time, that would be fine.  I imagine you live
    in Issaquah by your personal name.  I work in Bellevue (near Sears) and
    live in Kirkland.  I saw in VICKI::BOATS that you bought a new one this
    year.  If you have a vhf, you can pick me up on calm days.  I go by
    Sound Mind.  
    
    Others you can pick up from DEC are:
    
    OSPREY  aka  Gordon Lewandowski
    ALLWET  aka  Mike Peterson 
    
    Feel free to get in touch with me and we can set something up.
    
    /brett

    Bret & Mike,
    
    The first run of the chinooks are in the rivers now, so I won't
    be fishing the Sound for a while yet.  I used to live in Issaquah
    and work in Bellevue.  Then we fished out of Mukilteo.  Fishing
    average, but crabbing was unbelievable.  I'm coming up to the ACT
    for some business on 4-26 or 27 and am considering bringing the
    boat up.  My former boss, (in my other life), now works for DEC
    on the Boeing account and we have talked about making a weekend
    out of the trip.  I'll let you know what's going on and maybe we
    can work something out.  His name is Bob Reed and lives in Kirkland
    now, I believe.
    
    
    
    Ken 
       

    I'm game.  That sounds like fun.  Possibly the first DEC salmon
    derby????  Prizes can be collected at the Roaster??????
    
    :-) :-) :-)
    
    Maybe we can get some of these other local DECCIES out there.
    
    /brett

    Count me in on a fishing derby.
    
    I am TENAFLY, a 31 Concorde sportfisher out of Anacortes Marina.
    
    Maybe we could have a DEC weekend fishing out of some place like
    Blakeley Island marina this spring.
    
    Steve Saslow
    DEC Bellevue - Koll Center
    

    Fishing Derby sounds great.
    
    I have No Wheels (boat) but maybe someone might have room for another 
    Bait cutter.
    
    What would the date be.
    
    Jerry.
    

    
    
    I'd love to participate in a Salmon Catching Fest.  Count me in.
    
    To introduce myself, I'm a 25' Bayliner, Trophy, out of Kingston Marina
    (straight across from Edmonds in Kitsap county) - Callsign ALLWET.  I
    would be happy to take you out, Jerry... Derby or no, just let me know.
    
    Just as an introduction to this, the Northwest Fishing Note:  I grew up
    in Bellevue, but moved east to Massachusetts to work for DEC, and then
    moved back here 3 years ago to fish.., er work for DECwest Engineering.
    
    I've fished hard for Salmon for three years.  My largest fish was a 24
    pounder at Mid-Channel Bank 2 years ago.  I had a twin 20 pounder day
    at the hook (Port Angeles) last year.  Last year was my best year.  I
    filled two punch cards (all kings except for two pinks and 5 coho),
    caught two halibut (30lb and ~40lb), a ling cod and a cabezon.
    
    Up until this year I've been a strict Moocher.  However, my boat is a
    little awkward for mooching, unless one has a long, long drift (which
    is why I like the 5 mile drift on Mid-channel bank).  For pure mooching
    pleasure, a boat like Brett's (17 foot Campion, center console) is
    ideal.
    
    Last year I bought an impulse Loran-C/fish finder (the 2830).  I can't
    recommend these things enough.  If you mooch and want to repeat a drift
    exactly, or systematically cover open water like at Possession or
    Mid-channel bank or the Humps and the Winter Hole out of Port Angeles
    get a loran with integrated an fish finder.  They're the best thing
    since indoor plumbing.
    
    This year I bought twin Penn 820 electric downriggers.  I did so for two
    reasons:  First, the tides aren't always good for mooching - there's
    either too much water moving or not enough.  Second, Brett started
    trolling this last winter and told me all kinds of lies about catching
    Salmon with his *other* friends.  Well, there's not a chance in hell
    I'll let him catch more Salmon than me.
    
    Fishing tackle:  I recommend lamiglass 8.5 or 9 footers, lhs series,
    for mooching.  For jigging get a stiff Daiwa Northcoast (Jigging for
    Salmon on an evening ebb tide is deadly). The reel is less important
    but I'm really partial to the Ambassadeur 6500C (I have two of 'em). 
    As for line, well, Brett and I have a disagrement here.  Brett believes
    in using broomsticks and anchor chain.  Then, when he get those 2 or 3
    pounders up close to the boat he dynamites 'em.  He informs me that
    he's really after the meat.
    
    That doesn't explain why he's after steelhead.
    
    Myself, I use 10 lb test in the winter and 15 lb test in the summer
    (Fish are bigger in the summer) of the highest quality I can buy.  DO
    NOT SCRIMP ON LINE AND RETIE YOUR LEADERS EVERY 30 MINUTES OR SO.
    
    I use a metzler sliding sinker (2 - 6 oz) above a sampo swivel.  To
    protect the swivel's knot, I put a small, red-orange plastic bead
    between the sinker and the swivel.  This gives it a little color also.
    To the swivel I attach an 8 foot leader with a tandem 2/0 (winter
    fishing or coho) or 3/0 laser sharp hooks.  I tie my own leaders.
    
    I'll give one to Brett on the business of mooching sinkers.  He uses
    the classical banana sinker hooked in-line.  The advantage to the
    banana sinker comes from the fact that a Salmon will often hit as you
    spool your line down to the bottom.  With sliding sinkers like I fish,
    the Salmon will take the bait but the sinker will continue to carry
    the line down and you'll miss the strike.  I've noticed that Brett
    catches a lot of fish on the way down.  I almost never do, sigh.
    
    However, I like the Metzler because I can change sinkers in 10 seconds
    and find exactly the right weight to match the current.  Moreover, I
    can feel the slightest bump at 150 feet.
    
    Looking forward to "regatta".
    
    Regards,
    
    Mike

    This salmon get together sounds like it might work.  I'll fish wherever
    everybody comes with for a location.  Everyone should feel welcome.  I
    think only a few of us knows each other by face.  
    
    Since Mike got me started on Salmon, I value his opinion (for salmon
    fishing)  :-)
    
    Mike, you're right.  I'd say I pick up about half of my fish on the way
    down (when mooching).  I like to stop the line with my thumb every few
    spins.  That gives the weight an abrupt stop and I can only imagine the
    action the herring has as a result, but it seems to piss them off.
    Most people feel that salmon and steelhead bite because they are
    irritated rather than hungry.
    
    If you talk to Hilton, he says that at dawn you can pick chinooks up in
    the top 10 feet of water in 40 foot depths.....even in mid-summer. 
    What this tells me is that at dawn, those buggers can be at any depth.
    He's given me a few pointers to try out this year.  If they work, I'll
    share them with you :-)
    
    As for reels, come clean, Mike.  The perfect chinook reels are either
    the Penn 209 (alltime standard classic in Puget Sound) or the Penn 320
    Gti.  For Silvers, I picked ap a Penn 10.  Absolutely love it.
    
    And for line, I go with 20 lbs test for chinooks.  I'm fishing for a 40
    lber.  I've never caught a 40 lber.  Once I catch a 40 lber, maybe I'll
    give the next one a better chance by using under weight line.
    
    /brett

    re. .10
    Brett,
    
    Thanks for the invite.  My weekend is booked with soccer tryouts
    (my son's, not mine) otherwise I would jump, leap, rent a cannon
    to get shot from, borow superman's cape, make up all kind of excuses
    to my wife, etc. etc, etc. to be there.  I thought it was looking
    pretty good myself.  
    
    re. 4-26/27 
    
    Kenny,
    
    Sounds like something to mark on the calandar.
    
    Mike S.
    

    re. the last 5 previous.  Maybe we need to hit the "Roaster" and
    iron this out.  This is the most action in a notes file outside
    of New England that I've seen.
    
    As far as kings at down, the video store I use has a new series
    of Salmon fishing videos.  In the one on "Fishing Possession Bar"
    they are out at down and the water is pure froth from the kings
    feeding on the surface.  They used lures and flies on the surface
    to catch them.  I'm looking forward to that.
    
    Tackle wise, I still need to equip myself for the sound.  I have
    been using either a 71/2 medium spinning rod and reel (the same
    one I use for steelhead and river salmon) with line in the 14-17
    lb class.  It's generally handled anything I've hooked (as long
    as I remember to set the drag right, retie terminal gear, etc. etc.)
    in either river, lake our sound (but I haven't hooked anything over
    20 lbs. yet).  I also sometimes us a 6' baitcasting rig.  This one
    is real fun and excitement with anything over 10.
    
    Still need to get downriggers, specialty rods, etc.  The problem
    is my wife thinks remodeling the house takes some priority.  I say,
    you can't remodel if you can't eat, you can't eat if you don't have
    fish, you can't have fish if you don't fish, you can't fish if you
    don't have the gear, you can't have the gear without the money,
    you can't have the money if you spend it on the house.......
    
    I usually lose my arguments.
    
    Mike
    

    I have just read that the Poggie club is having a six week salmon
    fishing seminar starting in May.  Monday nights in the Maritime
    Training Center (I think) in Ballard).  I saw there booth at the
    Kingdome during the outdoor show.  They are very knowledgable. 
    Cost is $30.00 for the entire 18 hours (7-10 on Monday nights).
    There is no Monday night football, and Alien Nation will be in reruns,
    so.....
    
    
    MJS
    

    Gordon Lewandowski said he'd love to participate.  He'd have told
    you himself, but he says he can't "note".
    
    Mike, the offer is open anytime.  You're welcome to come out with me
    in my boat if you'd like.  Jerry, the guy downstairs says he
    can't fish this saturday (get this) because his wife says he has to cut
    the lawn!!!!  Tee hee.  Change your mind yet?
    
    I must have missed that day the salmon were schooling on the surface
    :-)  But I'll keep my eyes peeled!  It's bound to happen someday.
    
    It's okay if you don't have downriggers.  That's cheating anyway. 
    Mooching is more important.  However, when you get downriggers, you
    probably will get more fish.  I personally don't fish possesion that
    often.  I like to try to beat the crowds.  But I will admit that I am a
    sucker for mooching Point-No_Point with the crowds.  This is my
    favorite local spot with Jeff Head and a special spot in between coming
    in second and 3rd (not necessarily in that order).
    
    /brett
    

    Thanks Brett from guy down stairs.  Tell Everyone that my wife wint let
    me play.
    
    BUT she Just called and she Might give a Kitchen Pass for saturday If
    the offer still Holds.
    
    I am just wondering what she might want for letting the grass grow
    another week.
    
    Jerry.
    
    Ps I'll let you Know first thing in the morning.
    

    I hope we can work something out on a trip in the sound in the near
    future.  I still haven't got a confirmation on the trip to the ACT.
    I would like to piggy back off of that, but might be able to find
    another way up there.  It's too far for a one day'r.
    
    The spring chinook are just starting their run down here in the
    Willamette and Columbia.  I went out Saturday and got a 21# buck.
    He hit a full herring mooching rig from a spreader with a 3 oz.
    tear drop weight set 18 inches from the spreader.  A nice fight
    and a beautiful fish.  First salmon of the year.  The run peaks
    in the latter part of April.
    
    
    
    Ken