Northwest Fishing

According to Wikipedia, Father's Day dates back to 1910: “Father's Day was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in Arkansas.[3] Its first celebration was in the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910.” 

Reading further, Sonona Smart Dodd wanted a day to honor her dad, similar to Mother’s Day. The day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.

Nothing was mentioned about this being the perfect Dad’s Day for fishing, but truly the timing couldn’t have been much better. Coming out of spring, closing in on summer, the day comes with the prospects of great fishing and fond memories for dads and children alike. 

My earliest memory of Father’s Day fishing was with my first son, Matthew, age two. I still remember him running around the park at a small lake, the name long since forgotten. His toddler laughs as dad attempted to introduce him to fishing are still crystal clear in my mind-eye. The day was a mixture of casting power bait and letting it soak, waiting for a trout to come by, and playing on the park’s playground swing and slides.

I have a picture somewhere, buried in a box of pictures, a lifetime of memories. It’s funny how the brain works – so many memories, filed away over a lifetime, coming to the surface out of nowhere. That day it wasn’t about catching fish, it was about father-son time. The goal was not necessarily catching fish, rather, it was time spent together enjoying a shared experience. As it should be. At this early age, first experiences can set the tone for a lifetime. Best to make a gentle introduction and go with the flow. The child will dictate how hardcore the day will be. You’ll have a lifetime of adventures ahead – if you play it right in these formative years.

Farther down the road of parenthood, James came along, and then my Klamath jet boat joined the family. The boys had a lot of fun on that boat, slipstreaming turns, pulling a tube, and of course, fishing.

It was another Father’s Day, and we were fishing on Lake St Clair in SW Washington. I had Matt and James in our 16-foot Klamath jet boat, geared up for trolling trout. Lake St Clair is an interesting lake, with many channels and bays to explore. The day was a pleasant early summer father-son get-away, and we enjoyed trolling along on the boat exploring the sights and sounds. Ducks and other animals kept us entertained, and of course, the boys had their Nintendo’s along. I wasn’t one to be hardcore fishing with my boys. I figured it was better to have them along for the experience than it was cramming it down their throats. When a fish came along, they would set their Gameboys down and catch it, enjoying the action, then back to one or another distraction. The fishing was not exactly hot, so after a couple hours it was time to turn back to the boat launch and head home. 

Just then, the longline rod violently jerked back and behind the boat a large splash signaled a nice fish on the end of the line. Matt grabbed the rod and began reeling in the huge fish. The smile on his face as he battled the big trout was enough for me to know the magic of angling was taking hold. As the fish came closer I could see it was a big rainbow trout, a triploid most likely. Matt brought the fish close to the net, and I scooped a beautiful rainbow in as Matt let out a whoop of joy. The three of us marveled at the beautiful fish, one of a few we caught that day. 

The last Father’s Day fishing adventure I can remember, before my sons became fully enamored with baseball, was a trip my son James and I took on Lake Washington. He was, I believe, 10 years old. It was another beautiful Pacific Northwest early summer day, the kind that begs to get out of the house and do something outdoors. We launched our new Seaswirl and ran across the lake to fish off Kirkland. Downriggers set and gear down, I was hoping to get into some of the quality rainbows and cutthroat that Lake Washington is known for.

As we trolled along, the port rod popped free of the downrigger and it was fish on! Handing the rod to James I could see that he had a solid fish on. The fish would take a screaming run, drag crying out, James laughing and enjoying the feel of a substantial fish on the other end of the line. I said a quiet prayer hoping the fish was well hooked. Ever closer James worked the fish to the boat, until I was able to slip the net under a chrome bright Lake Washington cutthroat.

Back at the dock, James couldn’t stop talking about his fish and the fight it gave him. His smile said everything I needed to know.

The years have marched ever onward, and many Father’s Days have passed into my rear view mirrow. My boys are adults now and have lives of their own. Matt is himself a father, making me a grandpa. While baby Hanna is a bit young yet to introduce her to a Father’s Day fishing trip, I look forward to being a part of her fishing life. Say, shouldn’t there be a Grandfather’s Day? If there is, I hope it's not in December!

With opening day of the Western Washington Lowland Lake opener in the rearview mirror, many of us are looking for future lake fishing opportunities. Let’s take the family fishing! Following are a list of 5 family oriented Northern Washington trout/kokanee fishing adventure lakes. One of them, Lake Samish, would be a day adventure. The other four could be a multiday family camping and fishing expedition. All offer at least one boat ramp and shore fishing, a fishing pier, or both. This article will focus on opportunity, and not necessarily technique. All the lakes offer opportunities for trollers, bait soakers, and even fly fishers. That said, pack up the family, a frypan, maybe the sleeping bags, your favorite gear, then hit the road! 

Cranberry Lake (Island County) 

Cranberry Lake is located within the boundaries of Deception Pass State Park. There are multiple shore fishing access points and a very nice fishing pier. There is also a small boat ramp with very limited parking. If you are boating, internal combustion engines are not allowed on Cranberry Lake. You can use an electric motor but oars, paddles, or peddle power are perfect. 

At 133.9 acres, Cranberry Lake hosts rainbow trout, coastal cutthroat trout, and an occasional brown trout. I’ve heard that that there are also smallmouth bass and perch in the lake but I’ve never seen anybody fishing for them. No picture, but when I was a teenager (Boy Scout camping trip) I caught a huge brown trout from one of the large boulders by the campground. The brute hit a worm/corn/marshmallow combo. 

Not really sure why, but I love fishing Cranberry Lake. Although it is not, to me it feels like you’re fishing some remote lake in the Canadian wilderness. Be aware though, NAS Whidbey is right next door. There may be military aircraft doing maneuvers right overhead. I am in awe anytime one of the Navy aircraft are overhead but not everybody feels that way. It’s the sound of freedom!   

If you’re not familiar with Deception Pass State Park, it is an absolute recreational gem. There are multiple well separated campsites, miles of hiking trails, and 77,000 feet of saltwater beaches to enjoy. Across Highway 20 from the lake, there is even a large saltwater boat launch with moorage. It’s not really mentioned anywhere, but in season you can fish for dungeness crab and smelt from the moorage floats. On the west side of the park, the sunsets from West Beach can be spectacular.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations/lowland-lakes/cranberry-lake

https://www.parks.wa.gov/497/Deception-Pass

Lake Samish

At 809.9 acres, Lake Samish is open to fishing year-round. It is managed as a multi-species lake, offering coastal cutthroat, large and smallmouth bass, crappie, brown bullhead/catfish, yellow perch, and excellent kokanee populations. I can personally attest that there are also largemouth bass and brown bullheads in the lake. The lake consists of a smaller lake connected to a larger main lake by a narrow channel. The larger main lake has significant weedy shallows at the south end and a max depth of 60 feet or so. The smaller lake located at the west end of the two-lake chain is up to 150 feet deep and maintains a large pocket of cool water throughout the late summer and fall. The cool water effectively extends the Lake Samish kokanee fishery when other west side lakes are too warm to support a fall kokanee fishery.

In late April-June, Lake Samish can be red hot kokanee fishing, easily giving up limits of fat 12”-16” kokanee. One of our biggest local kokanee came out of the smaller lake during a mid-October trip a few years back. It hit our old school gear running 2 colors on the lead line, 40’ of 8-pound leader, a rainbow color kokanee gang troll, and an orange wedding ring spinner tipped with a maggot.  The fish was nearly 3 pounds and was in full spawning colors. 

While the kokanee fishery is a trolling show, there is a fishing pier at Lake Samish Park. The fishing pier catch is primarily coastal cutthroat and peamouth chub. Lake Samish Park offers a couple of well-groomed picnic areas, a swim beach, hiking trails, and seasonal boat rentals. The park is the perfect place for a family outing and picnic with a little fishing thrown in.

An AIS Permit is required for every boat operating on Lake Samish. Here’s a few words about the AIS program at Lake Samish. Aquatic invasive species are non-native plants, animals, and pathogens that live primarily in water. They thrive in a new environment and cause economic loss, environmental damage, and harm to human health and property. An Annual AIS Permit and a per use boat inspection is required to operate your boat on Lake Samish. Whatcom County maintains an AIS inspection station at Lake Samish. 

Boat inspections are important because they can help to prevent the transport of aquatic invasive species to Whatcom County lakes. AIS are transported on boats travelling from infested waters and can result in significant impacts to lake ecosystems, water quality, and water supply infrastructure. AIS can also make shoreline areas hazardous and uninviting for recreational users and property owners. To prevent the introduction, AIS inspectors are on the lookout for any animal or plant material on the watercraft that might pose a risk to Lake Samish. They will also be checking to see if your boat has been cleaned, drained, and dried, as some aquatic invasive species larvae can be transported in any areas on the boat that remain damp or have standing water in them. Inspectors will also conduct a physical inspection of the outside of your boat to feel for any signs of mussel larvae, algae, or other organic material on the hull that could pose a risk to the lakes. 

As currently planned for 2023, Whatcom County will be staffing the inspection station at the Lake Samish WDFW Boat Launch. The AIS program is sensitive to the needs of anglers participating in the kokanee fishery at Lake Samish. They are planning/budgeting to staff the inspection station 5:30am-8:30pm 7 days a week. Although the AIS inspection program will be a bit of an inconvenience, having AIS inspectors on-site at Lake Samish will help to reduce the unfortunate vandalism problem at the Lake Samish WDFW launch.

On a similar note: Boat motor labels must have at least one star to operate on Lake Samish. Generally, any motor that is certified and labeled as meeting the 2006 or later model year United States EPA emissions standard will be compliant.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations/lowland-lakes/lake-samish

https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3542/Samish-Park

Silver Lake – Whatcom County

157.3 acre Silver Lake in Whatcom County is another unique recreational opportunity. It is a family friendly destination with camping, good trout fishing, and a WDFW boat ramp. The WDFW boat ramp is located at the north end of the lake and has ample trailer parking. The fishery is primarily for planted rainbow and coastal cutthroat trout. Even though the average depth is only 24 feet, holdovers are not uncommon. The fishery is friendly to whatever trout fishing style suits your style, but don’t be afraid to soak some dough bait.

Silver Lake Park is a large Whatcom County Parks and Recreation facility on Silver Lake. The park has 3 campgrounds and a RV accessible group campground. There are also cabin rentals, a handful of hiking trails, a playground, multiple picnic areas, an equestrian center, seasonal boat rentals, and a small boat launch that is probably best suited for hand carry boats.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations/lowland-lakes/silver-lake-whatcom

https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3517/Silver-Lake-Park

Fish Lake – Chelan County

Another family friendly trout destination is Cove Resort on 492-acre Fish Lake in Chelan County. For whatever reason it is probably better known for its winter, hardwater perch fishery but it hosts a solid spring and fall rainbow trout fishery. The lake also has a few respectable brown trout available. The brown trout fishery is kind of a specialty, but if you stick with it there are some true trophies cruising around, just waiting to be caught. In an interesting twist, the WDFW has been experimenting with kokanee fry plants in Fish Lake and it seems that there is blossoming kokanee fishery at hand. The lake also hosts a spring fishery for largemouth bass along with a year-round perch fishery. Access to the lake is primarily through Cove Resort. 

Cove Resort is operated under a Forest Service private concession. You can bring your own boat: Cove Resort has a boat launch and moorage. They also have a store, boat rentals, a fishing dock, cabins, and a large campground. 

https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations/lowland-lakes/fish-lake-chelan

https://www.coveresortatfishlake.com/

Lake Pearrygin

183-acre Lake Pearrygin is another first-rate choice for a family outing. There are 4 boat ramps, including a WDFW access point/boat ramp, 2 state park ramps, and a ramp at Silverline Lakeside Resort. For the shore fisherman there are many options. The state park alone has 11,000 feet of shoreline and there is a handicap accessible dock.

The trout fishing at Lake Pearrygin can be either fast and furious or just plain good. The seasoned trout angler can pull out the stops and get technical in their approach to the fishery, or, fortunately, anybody can catch fish using dough bait or casting their favorite spinner. A single salmon egg or a small piece of nightcrawler under a float can be deadly.  As a bonus, Lake Pearrygin gives up more than its share of fat holdovers each season. Whether your family are trout fishing newbies or experienced trout hunters, Lake Pearrygin is an excellent choice for a family fishing getaway. 

Lake Pearrygin State Park has a swimming beach, 169 various use campsites, 2 group sites, and cabin rentals. There are also 6.5 miles of hiking trails and picnic areas. As staffing permits, they offer campfire programs; they are conducted every Tuesday and Thursday night from June 15 - Labor Day. The park also offers a Junior Ranger program for kidlets.

It just keeps getting better; Silverline Lakeside Resort on Lake Pearrygin is a clean, well-maintained resort. They offer RV and tent sites and a group campground. The resort has RVs available for rent, boat rentals, aquatic equipment rentals, propane fire pit rentals, a store, and a small restaurant. If that’s not enough to spark your interest, Silverline Lakeside Resort also has 3 fishing docks, horseshoe pits, a playground, swimming beach, and mini golf. 

https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations/lowland-lakes/pearrygin-lake

https://www.parks.wa.gov/563/Pearrygin-Lake

https://www.silverlineresort.com/

Have a hankering for a family outing and the sizzle of fresh trout in the ole cast iron? If so, add a trip to one or all of these lakes. Cranberry Lake, Lake Samish, Silver Lake, Fish Lake, and Lake Pearrygin each offer a unique family trout fishing experience. With the exception of Lake Samish, there is a campground adjacent to each lake with many of the campsites right on the lake. You better go pick up the phone, or bring up their websites, reservations are going fast!

It’s happened to many of us while trolling. Your buddy has a nice fish that he’s battling to the boat, and as you reach out with the net, hoping not to miss, the net washes below the hoop as you get ready to scoop and tangles with the fish’s mouth and hook. Frantically you attempt to bring the fish in, only to watch it twist and turn and the hook pull free. Bad enough for any fish, but especially bad when it’s a twenty-pound king!

If you say this has never happened to you, then you must not be one of the guys who hold the net with one hand while scooping with the other. Admit it, many of us have found this to be an imperfect compromise. If you watch guides net fish, you see them doing this all the time. The problem with this technique is that it shortens your reach to the fish which negates the benefits of a long net handle. It also forces the netter to lean out over the gunnel that much more, increasing the risk of losing both the fish and the netter (not funny, I’ve seen it almost happen in my boat).

You would think that most every innovation under the sun has been built into nets, and then along comes something so simple, but so effective that you have to wonder why no one had thought of it earlier. 

Recently NWFishing was contacted by a company based out of Texas, Netrigger (https://netrigger.com/). They have developed an awesome net accessory called (ready for it?) The Netrigger. Using a simple but incredibly effective magnetic system, the Netrigger does what you’re your hand does – it holds the end of the net hoop in place against the net handle, allowing you to scoop further and deeper with the confidence of knowing that your net won’t slip back and tangle with the fish. When the fish is in the net hoop and you lift up, the fish’s weight releases the net end, and your fish is safely in the net. Simple, effective, and innovative!

If you’re concerned about the net not deploying, no worries. The Netrigger comes in 10-pound, 15-pound, 20-pound, and 30-pound magnetic weights, and can be purchased in a variety of combinations. The magnets are interchangeable which is a nice feature. Depending on the size of fish you are targeting and the speed of your boat, or current, will dictate which weight to use. My personal experience is the heavier weights work better in trolling conditions. For salt and river salmon/steelhead I would go with the 20-30-pound weights. For kokanee, trout and most 1–2-pound fish the 10-15-pound weights are a good choice. 

The one quibble I had with my unit was when I installed the clamp, I over tightened it and caused it to crack. Not enough to make it unusable, but it always bugs me to get something brand-new and damage it. Chalk it up to user error and don’t over tighten that clamp!

Prices range from $20 for a single weight to $45 for the combo packs. The combo packs are nice in that they come with three different weights. The clamp also comes with inserts making it easy to switch from different diameter rod handles. 

As to how they work? As advertised! On a recent trip to Fort Peck, Rob went to net my fish, but the magnet was not deployed, and the nightmare scenario almost happened. I watched in horror as the net end tangled into the fish’s mouth. Fortunately, Rob was able to bring the fish in. Our second Chinook, the magnet easily stayed in place and released as a beautiful 17-pound chinook entered the net. No worries about the net snagging and it was an easy net job. 

The first time I met Josie Regula was when she boarded our charter boat, the Mystic Lady, at Sportsman's Cove Lodge on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska.  The 50-something year-old-woman was accompanied by her husband, Max.  The two had come here from San Diego, California to fish for salmon, halibut, cod, and more during a three-day stay at this luxury Alaska fishing lodge.

It turns out Josie isn't shy.  As she boarded the boat for an orientation prior to the next morning of fishing, Josie let us know this was her very first fishing trip.  She then told all of us with much bravado she intended to catch the biggest fish on the boat and probably the most as well.

Her husband Max looked shyly downward but the rest of us did not.  Her shipmates were myself, my best friend Rusty Johnston, well known Pacific Northwest outdoors writer Terry Sheeley, Frank Skipworth (a veterinarian from Kentucky), and the Captain of the Mystic Lady, Steve Helton.   I think Josie was expecting a chorus of loud guffaws and snorts from us but several of us nodded in agreement and said there was a good chance she would do just that.

Josie looked momentarily confused until I explained first time anglers, especially women, tended to out fish their male shipmates because they had not formed a lifetime of bad habits like the rest of us had.  Add to that, first time women anglers tend to not only pay attention to the fishing advice dispensed by the captain, but actually follow it.  Several of us went on to say we had indeed seen women with no experience catch the biggest fish or the most fish because of this.  I'm not sure Josie believed what she was telling us but we all knew her prediction could well come true.

When I asked Josie her name, she said it was "Josie, like Josie and the Pussycats".  Being all over 50 years of age on the boat, we all recognized the reference to the old television cartoon show featuring Josie, the star of a female rock band, and her supporting cast the Pussycats.  With all of us being men Terry Sheeley said we wouldn't be the Pussycats as her band members, but we would be willing to be the Tomcats.  And with that, the fishing band was formed.

On our first morning we fished a large sandy bottom flat that was about 260 feet deep, a non-descript part of the ocean some 35-minutes away from the lodge by boat.  Dropping down our bait of herring with 12-ounce lead weights on a short leader, we began to jig for halibut, and wouldn't you know it, Josie caught the first fish of the day, a healthy five-pound true cod.  Josie’s luck (and learning curve) increased over the next three days of fishing and she reeled in more than her share of cod, halibut, and salmon but it was our third day of fishing that Josie played her greatest hit.

The weather the first two days was mild but our final day on the water was a rough one.  We endured a steady drizzle most of the day and rough seas that had Josie feeling under the weather.  In fact, despite the fact she took Dramamine to combat motion sickness, she became sea sick.  I’ll give her credit though; she stuck it out on deck as we jigged for halibut during a slow morning of fishing that only yielded a few smaller halibut and true cod.  Then, Josie’s rod tip bent down in a big way.  She set the hook and the fight was on.  The fish Josie hooked was definitely no small halibut; oh no, it was a very big one.

Josie, who was not above using colorful language, used it in abundance during the fight that followed with this goliath of a fish.  Having never battled a big fish before, she decided to kneel down on the deck on one knee and brace her fishing rod against the deck rail as she reeled.  It was an unorthodox way to fight a fish but it worked.  The fish made several runs towards the bottom, robbing Josie of line as it did, and each time the fish made a run Josie would loudly express her dismay.  However, Josie stuck it out, kept reeling and eventually, after a long fight, got that halibut to the surface.  

The fish was brought on board and it measured well over the 40 inches where non-resident charter anglers are allowed to keep a halibut in this part of Alaska.  In fact, that fish measured a whopping four-feet and weighed an estimated 53 pounds.  After snapping a few photos, that halibut was released back into the sea unharmed to grow even bigger and Josie’s day one prediction of catching the biggest fish on the boat came true.  

After taking a short break to deal with fatigue from both the fight and sea sickness, she was right back on the rail for the final afternoon of fishing, reeling in half a dozen salmon in the process. In the end it just goes to show first time female anglers really can out fish all the experienced men on board, and Josie’s Tomcats were more than happy to be here supportive band as performed her greatest hit!

If you would like to find out more about the first-class fishing adventures available at Sportsman’s Cove Lodge for anglers of any experience level, go to their website at www.alaskasbestlodge.com .

For salmon anglers in the Pacific Northwest, November heralds the final transition from targeting open saltwater to focusing on tidewaters and rivers. Yes, there are some saltwater opportunities (for example, blackmouth, when open), but the vast majority of anglers have put away their boats and are pursuing salmon in the rivers. That said, there are some prime opportunities to target and catch salmon out of your fishing boats, so don’t button them up just yet!

One of my favorite fisheries out of my boat in November has to be the Hoodsport chum fishery. The fight of a 10-15 pound chum ranks up there as one of the hardest fighting salmon you can catch. Taking on a chum with steelhead gear will give you all the battle you could ask for as these brutes slash and pull with every ounce of energy they have. One look at their fighting canine teeth and you’ll know this is a fish that is serious, very serious, about its reproducing goal.

All up and down Hood Canal you’ll find chum as they work their way toward their spawning grounds. The state hatchery at Hoodsport and three miles south of there at Potlatch (a smaller, Native American hatchery) are the destination for many of these chum as they work their way down Hood Canal.

I have caught fish in both locations, and each spot has reason to recommend it. Potlatch, being smaller, has limited shore angling and parking, which is roadside only. That said, there are also fewer anglers there. Hoodsport, meanwhile, is the Fishing Mecca that chum anglers are drawn to. Fishing right out in front of the hatchery and watching hundreds of fish jockey for position as the tide sweeps them into the small feeder creek leading to the hatchery is truly a sight to behold. Of course, along with the fish comes combat fishing in all its glory. As the tide comes in and fishing space decreases, getting to know your neighbor takes on a whole new meaning.

If you’re a fortunate one you’ll be fishing out of a boat – or some type of floating device. The waters around Hoodsport are open and the wind can come up and blow hard, plus fast running tides can make it a challenge to get an anchor to set. Be sure to bring an anchor with some bite, and terminal chain so you’ll stick in the rocky bottom. I’ve seen anglers fishing out of all manner of floating devices on calm days, including single person pontoons and float tubes. Be sure to have your life jackets on and just don’t venture too far off shore. If you are feeling anxious that’s your inner voice telling you a fish isn’t worth your life – pay attention to it!

For boaters, the launch is two miles south of Hoodsport at the Skokomish Park at Potlatch. The launch has two concrete lanes which are in varying state of repair (read that as back down with caution!). There is ample parking, and a restroom. Once launched it’s a quick run to either terminal hatchery, faster to the small Potlatch facility.

When you arrive, survey the already anchor boats, taking into account the amount of anchor line you’ll need to get a solid grip on the bottom, as well as the shore anglers. Anchoring too close to the shore bound anglers will earn you a steady rain of lures and weights at your boat. Stay outside their casting zone - you’ll have plenty of water to work over and opportunities to catch fish the shore anglers don’t have.

As to the type of gear you should bring… you’re going to enjoy a variety of methods to catch these Hoodsport chum. Like chum everywhere, chartreuse and green are always great colors to choose. Pink or cerise is also good color choices. For rod/reel setups I use my steelhead gear, both spinning reels and casting will get the job done. I like an 8 ½ foot medium action rod. Line should be strong enough to turn these big brutes so as to avoid massive tangle ups with your fellow anglers. I like 18-20 pound test. Chums are not leader shy in my experience so keep things hefty.

What technique you use is up to you but here are a few tried and true methods:

Floats and jigs , or floats and corkies with yarn can be deadly. A ¼ or 3/8-ounce pink, black or purple marabou jig fished under a float is deadly. Tipped with a piece of shrimp meat or coon shrimp tail is even better. The yarn is a nice trick as it helps by getting caught up in the chums teeth, allow you to drive the hook home. Other bait you can put under a float includes the ever popular anchovy or herring, whole or plug cut.

Think of the tide as the river current. Set your depth for the lure so it’s running a foot or so off the bottom. Vary the depth if you aren’t getting bites. These fish will hit suspended jigs. Cast “upstream”, i.e. up into the tide, and let your gear drift down with the tide to the end of the “drift”. If the coast is clear, free spool your line, keeping the float straight up and down to extend the drift. When the float goes under set the hook and be ready to do battle!

Twitching jigs – ditch the float and cast the jig on its own. Another effective technique, but be prepared for a lot of foul-hooked chum. Dragging a chum in by the tail is not fun, nor is it sporting to be snagging fish. If you find yourself foul hooking too many fish move on to a different method…

Casting spinners. Again, it’s a solid technique to try if the action is slow. I personally would remove the treble hook and use a single si-wash hook. A number 3 or 4 blade fished with a slow retrieve is just the ticket.

Corkie, yarn, and slinky. I personally have caught a lot of fish using this method and seldom snag fish. Again, think of the tide as a river. Cast out and let your gear drift. You’ll know you have a bite because your rod will be about ripped out of your hands. I use a 3-4 foot leader length.

Regarding the above technique, I’m sure I’m going to get comments about flossing – I personally think it’s a bunch of malarkey. Why do I say that? Because I remember a day years ago fishing Hoodsport when the chum were in thick, jumping all around us, swimming by in schools of 10-20 fish. I had my corkie/yarn/slinky set up going, casting, retrieving, and not getting a bump for a good hour. Suddenly, the bite magically turned on and my gear started getting bit. In came fish after fish, hooked in the jaw. Explain to me how one can have a steady procession of fish go by with mouths open for a good hour and not “floss” one fish, then suddenly start catching one jaw hooked fish after another? And trust me when I say this, those hook-ups were solid strikes, not to be mistaken with a snagging sensation. Anyway, the flossing debate is one we anglers love to engage in every year and likely will do so as long as we fish corkies.

The fly fishermen do quite well at Hoodsport as well, fishing sinking tips and flies of various styles and colors. I’m not a fly guy but it sure does look like fun. Maybe on my next trip I’ll give it a try.

Before you set out, be sure to check the Hoodsport netting line at 360-877-5222. Typically the nets go in on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but this is not set in stone. There’s nothing worse than driving a hundred miles only to find nets spread in every direction. So save yourself that aggravation before you set out.

Fishing for hard fighting chum is a blast. Get in on the action this November!

My reel was peeling line at a dizzying rate and it felt like I had a freight train attached on the other end. Without thinking I applied my thumb to the level line spool and pulled back with a loud “ouch!” “That’ll leave a mark” our guide Dave deadpanned. The fish was a good fifty yards behind our boat before I was able to slowly start to regain line. Foot by foot the strong chinook and I battled back and forth, each of us gaining, and then losing line to the other.

The most popular location anglers congregate is Vernita Bridge. There is a large open area to the north of the bridge on the east side of the river. Every year a small town of anglers set up their base camp here. All variety of tents, RVs, and sleeping in the back of trucks can be seen. At night the cries of the coyotes remind you that this is wild country. Camping is free, but a Discovery pass is required. The launch here is rough and rocky and four-wheel drive is a must. Plan on your boat getting scraped up on the rocky shoreline and be sure to bring waders to help during the launch and retrieval process. Launching, by the way, starts at o-dark hundred. Alarm clocks are optional – unless you’re a deep sleeper, you will be awakened by the lights and sounds of anglers starting to launch around 3am.

Closer and closer the powerful fish came, each run a little less intense. Now a giant tail could be seen, trailing a large V wake behind it. Finally, the fish, exhausted came to the side of the boat and I saw the reassuring sign of fatigue as the fish laid on its side, telling us we were getting closer to that critical moment. Net sliding under the fish Dave skillfully scooped him up and into our boat. But not before the big fish gave one final flip of his tail, giving all of us an early morning soaking. Wow! This upriver fall bright was twenty plus pounds of pure power and beauty, not to mention great eating. The smiles and high fives of my friends were the icing on the cake and the day was just beginning!

A perfect morning, the sun just breaking over the shoreline and catching a hot Hanford Reach fall chinook - it’s the stuff dreams are made of, and it was living up to be everything I had heard about the Reach.

Washington’s Hanford Reach is synonymous with some of the state’s best fall chinook fishing to be found – and not coincidentally, the last of the chinook fishing to be found for the season. It’s the icing on the cake, and what icing it is! The Reach is the perfect setting and the perfect fish to end the year’s salmon fishing on the Columbia River. These are the brutes that dreams are made of. A fish worth dreaming about during the long off season and savoring the brief weeks they are available to catch. Battle plans must be made, so let’s talk about what you need to know to get into this fishery and have a chance at one of these amazing fish.

They call “The Reach” the last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia. With dams seemingly from one end of the Columbia to the other, this stretch of water has no dams to impede it. Here, from Priest Rapids dam down to Richland anglers have 63 miles of productive water to fish. Ideal spawning grounds make this a natural holding location for big chinook to do their reproducing thing. For the boat angler, you’ll find a variety of deep holes, shallow runs, and everything in between. A prop boat can be used – with extreme caution, however, downriver in the area known as Coyote Rapids a jet is the way to go.

Just upstream from the rough launch at Vernita you’ll run into the first hole, the Hog Hole. This spot will hold fish early and throughout the season. It’s in the middle of the river and runs a couple hundred yards in length and has a depth of 15-40 feet. Fish will be both suspended and hugging the bottom here. The hole is deep enough to require a way to get your gear down to the fish. This can include divers, dropper weights, and, yes, downriggers. A word of caution – the Columbia is a big, strong, and powerful river. Snagging a downrigger ball on the bottom of the Columbia has the potential for some seriously bad consequences and requires the boat captain and crew to be ready to deal with them. The times I’ve used downriggers I always have a wire cutter at the ready and a good dose of “always pay attention” to go along with it. It goes without saying if another boat hooks up to be ready to pull those riggers up. Backtrolling this hole works well and as you push the fish ever shallower by ready for that take down.

A variety of salmon catching gear can be used for Hanford chinook depending on the depth and speed of the spot you are fishing. Among the most popular setups are flashers with super baits (packed with tuna), plugs, flatfish (wrapped with a sardine or herring strip), and the ever-effective spin-n-glo with eggs, or eggs and shrimp. Anglers that are flexible and willing to adapt techniques to river flow and time of day will be most successful. Backtrolling your gear down the hole can be very effective, pushing fish back down the hole and triggering them to bite out of aggression is a tried-and-true technique.

Farther upriver as you head to toward the dam, you’ll find the King Hole about a mile and a half above the bridge, then the China Bar and Midway Drifts. One of my personal favorite spots is the deep hole just down from the dam. As well as being great holding water, it’s a stunningly beautiful spot. The deep hole off the rocks is great for downrigger fishing. You may even want to try running a diver twenty feet behind your release and bringing the ball up ten feet off the bottom, letting the diver do the work of bring your bait down to the bottom. Be sure to pay attention to the regulations and know the areas that are closed, downriver from the dam and on the west shoreline where the hatchery is located.

Below the Vernita Bridge you will find several more popular spots, including those famous old reactors. It’s about a three-mile run down to the B/C hole, and another four miles to reactor number one, and then number two. Beyond a large bend you’ll find the famous White Bluffs with a nice sixty-foot-deep hole. There’s a concrete launch located here, however; this is the area where running a prop boat becomes a dicey proposition. Be mindful that water levels can go up and down five to six feet in a day, leaving riffles where clear passage had been. It would be best to learn this water by first going with a guide before venturing out on your own.

Finally, farther downstream around the areas of the mouth of the Yakima down to the mouth of the Snake you’ll find slower water, more suited for prop boats. With several launches located around Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick, smaller boats will have a safer time of it than at the fast-flowing upper Reach spots.

As to timing, these up-river brights can be targeted from mid-September well into late October. Don’t be fooled by the dark coloring on these fish – they cut just fine and taste great!

The Reach is truly an amazing place to fish with the very real opportunity of hooking into large chinook. Multi-fish days are not unusual. As a bonus, while fishing you’ll be treated to amazing scenery. Besides moth-balled nuclear reactors, it’s very possible to see coyote, mule deer, several varieties of waterfowl, and even herds of elk on the shoreline. Some of the best weather in the Pacific Northwest can be had with temperatures moderating from the scorching hot summer days. You’ll find cool nights and a sky full of stars to gaze at as the coyotes sing you to sleep. And most likely you’ll be rewarded with some tasty chinook to take home.

I’m a new father. My daughter turns 2 at the end of July. It amazes me how fast time goes. My phone is fancy enough that it will create a collage of pictures and ask me “do you remember this day?” It’ll compile similar photos and quotes together with a caption along the lines of “outdoor adventures” or whatever else is sure to draw me in. I have to say, I like the features of the phone and sometimes I don’t remember the day or taking the photo.

Other times, the memory is clear and will get my brain churning to the before and after events of that photo. It’ll also lead to a great talking point with my family, or remind me to reach out to a friend who I was with during that time. It’s basically my generation’s photo album: a compilation of memories that elicit the sights and sounds of the past.

Seeing these photos and videos pop up on my phone makes me reflect on the journey I’ve been on. It makes me reflect and think about the life that was and the life I have now. The timestamped dates and pinpointed locations on the photos give me a clear reminder of when and where I was as I snapped those photos. Some photos I’ve kept in the camera roll for 10 or more years, other photos happening just yesterday or the day before. Each with a level of happiness and appreciation from the time. There clearly had to have been a reason I felt like the photo needed to be taken.

Even those photos of some random arrangement of letters and numbers for a code or a stall number in the parking garage so I wouldn’t get lost after a trip shopping. Although, that example probably has more to do with my wife than my own shopping adventures. Other photos are those milestones we will always remember but may not quite recall the details. Holidays with family, vacations around the world, a collage of our hobbies, or additions to the family. It’s those last two areas that inspire me to think about how thankful I am to be at this stage in my life.

Adulthood

Something about life before kids and life after kids is a pivotal point. The stage of “adulthood” that has a clear separation between life that was and now life that is. Those late nights I could go out and do whatever I wanted are no longer. There is now a little human who depends on me and my ability to have some foothold on my life. To use a baseball analogy, I wouldn’t say I need to be hitting home runs in all areas of life as a dad, although I’d certainly take them as they come, but there’s nothing wrong with taking the day-to-day with solid doubles to right center field.

I might even strike out a time or two, or if I’m having a particularly hard time navigating whatever the challenge of the moment is ground into a few double plays. The goal I think as a parent is to limit those outcomes as much as possible. To be a constant source of support, happiness, and guidance for your kid as best as you know how. It’s cliche to say, but my wife and I didn’t get an instruction manual when we left the hospital with our child.

It’s my hope that I can inspire my daughter to enjoy many of the same hobbies I have while also encouraging her to find her own. I’m into fishing, sports, and good TV shows. She might enjoy music, writing, or computers. Whatever the case may be, there are areas in our lives that will overlap and find common interests. I surely hope that enjoying the outdoors, and fishing specifically, are among the shared hobbies.

The patience and independence we learn with fishing is invaluable. Soft skills such as being able to hold a conversation during down time or to celebrate someone else’s success are also an important area we learn as fishermen. I hope to share the many hours on the road traveling to different bodies of water with her as I did with my dad. I know my growth as a man is in large part to his teachings when I was younger. I am also excited to see how he can impart his wisdom to her and influence her in a positive way. That kind of generational guidance goes far beyond fishing. Tying a knot, being able to read the water. Those are great, but the time spent together, and memories built are what is truly important. The three of us out on the water fishing? That sounds like a memory with lots of photos.

Tired of the salmon fishing crowds?

Tired of the salmon fishing crowds? Looking for one last hurrah before winter? Look no further than fall trout! Fall is one of my favorite times of year to fish for rainbow trout. The majority of other fishermen have either put the boat away for the year or are off targeting salmon, so most days you’ll have the lake to yourself.

Most pleasure boaters have also put their boats away for the season, so those of us with small boats don’t have to deal with their huge wakes! Another benefit of fishing for trout in the fall is that they once again start to patrol the shallows looking for a quick meal, putting them within reach of shore anglers. Those small planter trout from earlier in the year have also gotten much larger by this time, making for big, tasty fish. Not to mention they are also more aggressive during this time of year because they want to pack on the pounds before winter.

Though they do most of their trout stocking in the spring, WDFW also plants several lakes on both the east and west side throughout the fall. Check the stocking reports on their website, sometimes they stock jumbo trout! Fishing for fall trout is one of the best ways to spend a lazy fall day. You can enjoy the cooler weather and a break from the crowds. Whether you want to fish from shore or a boat, you can find success by following these tips.

No boat?

No boat? No problem! Dust off those ultralight rods and hit the lake. You can fish with a bobber, soak dough bait, or throw hardware. Spinners and spoons work very well for fall trout, but traditional dough baits and worms will also catch fish. On lakes where two-pole fishing is allowed, I like to put some dough bait on a hook, toss it out, and put the rod in a rod holder. I’ll grab a second rod and cast spinners while the dough bait soaks. Black/gold spinners are my favorite! It’s a good idea to bring several different colors and flavors of dough baits.

Take a look at reports or try to remember what you used in the spring. Worms, salad shrimp, corn, and maggots are all tried and true trout baits. If you don’t have luck fishing in one location, it pays to move around until you figure out where the fish are at. You’ll often see fall trout jumping and feeding on the surface. Fishing is best in the mornings and evenings, but trout are always hungry during the fall and will bite any time of day.

Shore anglers

Although shore anglers can easily get limits of trout in the fall, don’t be afraid to take out your boat and try trolling for them. There are fewer pleasure boaters in the fall, thanks to the cooling temperatures. It’s a great time of year to take out your kayak or small aluminum boat. Try a faster troll than you would in the summer. These trout are feisty and will chase down a meal willingly. You can use larger presentations than you would in the spring and summer, since the fish are bigger. I’d highly recommend using a fish finder. Do you miss trolling with leaded line?

This is a great opportunity to troll with leaded line or divers, since the fish are running much shallower than in the heat of the summer, making downriggers unnecessary. I often have good success trolling plugs in the fall, but spinners can work well too. For attractors, you can use dodgers or gang trolls. I lean towards dodgers, but maybe that’s because I’m also a kokanee fisherman.I already have a book of 20-30 dodgers in different colors, shapes, and sizes. Gang trolls have definitely put caught many a trout, but I find dodgers easier and more convenient to use. I can quickly put globs of scent on them, tune them, and change them to suit the conditions or try something new. Whichever method you use, you’re sure to get many fall trout on your hook!

Don’t hesitate to give fall trout fishing a try! The fish are big, aggressive, and tasty. Your chances of scoring a trophy holdover are much higher this time of year. I would recommend trying Potholes Reservoir, the seep lakes, Mineral Lake, Clear Lake, American Lake, and Harts Lake, for starters. There’s no need to put up with crowds or drive all day to the coast. Give your favorite local lake a try! It’s also a great way to put kids on fish. Some kids just don’t have the patience to troll or cast all day for salmon, but they’ll love seeing those trout takedowns! Don’t forget to bring the net, the size of these trout can surprise you.

Hope to see you out there this fall!

I’ve always been a fan of the changing seasons, for the blustering chill in the air, and the transforming colors in majestic trees. Shorter days and longer nights. And who of us can ever forget, the hatcheries unleashing their beasts!

The Cowlitz River

The Cowlitz River is my favorite river by far. Every year we spend October 31^st on the river for “Cowloween”. Catching monsters on the Cowlitz can be done in a variety of ways such as side-drifting, twitching jigs, back-trolling, hover-fishing, and casting hardware. The Cowlitz River Salmon Hatchery produces nearly 13 million fish each year, including about 1.3 million spring Chinook, 5.0 million fall Chinook, and 3.2 million coho salmon. This hatchery is located near Barrier Dam and the Barrier Dam boat launch.

It is no secret that the Cowlitz River is known for some of the best Salmon and Steelhead fishing in the state of Washington. Anglers swarm from around the country to get a chance to catch Chinook Salmon, Coho, and Steelhead. Don’t let its popularity dissuade you, there is still plenty of elbow room. If you don’t have a boat of your own, plenty of seasoned experts offer fun guided trips.

I have been fortunate enough to catch a regular ride with Sather Guide Service. Jared is a skilled captain and fisherman. He has the ability to drive his boat backward with a foot while casting. You are guaranteed to pull in a whopper between Jared and his deckhand. These guys will set the hook if you like and hand it off. This makes for an exciting and fun experience for less seasoned anglers.

I set my own hook and landed these beauties. It is a team adventure, with jokes and snacks too! Jared has the stamina to fish dawn to dusk but is very conscientious of all guests should the need to go to shore arise. There are a few options for overnight stays near the Cowlitz. A few of my favorites would be Toutle River RV resort. We opt to stay in the “Love Shack”, a quaint little studio apartment. It’s affordable. Though proximity to the train tracks might annoy some, we enjoyed the entire experience.

The Castle Rock

The Castle Rock “Sky Cabin” is a fun experience. Like an adult tree house with all the amenities. Off the beaten path, but only around 20 minutes to the boat launch. If you opt to take just a day trip, there are plenty of great dining options, though I personally prefer renting a space with accommodations for making your own food.

In a pinch, you can find quality dining at El Compadre off Highway 504, The Oasis in Castle Rock or Papa Bears. We love to combine adventures, such as hunting for rocks, covered bridges, quiet trails and breathtaking sunsets. Into bridges? Try visiting the Cedar Mill Grist in Woodland, The fall colors and rambling waters are a sight to see. A quiet and awe-inspiring peek into the past. If you like beautiful rocks, you can find a variety of agates along the rocky creeks that amble the backroads along Highway 12.

If you are a fan of just fishing, the Cowlitz River is a great destination that is hard to beat. Launch early and stay late! It will be a wild ride full of catching and keeping!

There are so many moving parts in fishing. Fly fishing is no exception to this interwoven connection between man, reel, and fish. On a trip with CrossCurrents Fly Shop,Chris Stainer even commented on my happy feet when hooked up on a fish. My rocking back and forth on the boat didn’t make it any easier for him to row, no doubt. But, what would you expect? I had a blue ribbon trout on the other side of my line! This was clearly an added moving part to the entire fishing experience. Line screaming out of the reel, a trout head fighting, and me doing my best to shift weight in the drift boat. All this made for a memorable trip on the Missouri River outside of Craig, MT. 

Another graceful display to take in during the whole process of fly fishing. This beautiful river are the ongoing developing and vacating columns of tricos along the river bank. These mayflys make up a large portion of the diet for the fish in the section of the Missouri River. Their 24 hour life cycle made for an ever present food source during our late July fishing trip.

There were columns of bugs 10-15 feet high swirling and moving about. Some columns were next to one another, other columns were isolated as if they were exclusive to the most worthy tricos. These swarms of bugs were never annoying - no biting or buzzing around your head. They were part of the ecosystem a simple way that don't notice it unless an expert pointed out their significance.

Battling the Fish

The battle between you and fish is another dance to experience. Once the fish has been hooked, steering it as best you can through the water is a balance of both strength and finesse. Objects like weeds can be a challenge and weigh down the fish. This can give him “brass knuckles” as you fight him into the boat. Manipulating the fish is crucial. During a fight with an18 or 19 inch rainbow, it felt likea 10lb fish with all the weeds.

The same thrill can be had when you’ve hooked into an unwilling partner: the fish who wants nothing to do with your boat or net. The fish who turns and runs and pulls line out for what seems like a football field. These fish, you respectfully allow the opportunity to take as much line as they want. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of this rhythmic contest is when the fish takes flight. Seeing those trout leap out of the water with violent intentions and come splashing down is enough to hook anyone to the art of the fly rod. It is everything you expect and look forward to with a fishing experience like this.

The Technique

Of course, this all assumes you can get yourself on the dance floor. The level of technique required to fly fish isn’t much that a novice couldn’t figure it out. I certainly was able to with some pointers. But it requires a fine enough skill that one can’t have a “set it and forget it” kind of mindset. There is consideration of how much line to strip outthe required distance. Looking at your fly relative to the fish relative to the line and mending it to make for an attractive lure. All this even assumes that you’ve gotten the cast down. Too much power or not enough time to let the line get behind you on your cast and you look more like Indiana Jones with a whip than anything else. Rod tip out of position on the cast? Your fly isn’t going anywhere.

Chris’ dedication fly fishing stood out in two comments; one practical and one funny. An analogy regarding golfers. Say you’ve got an opportunity to golf at Augusta. Would you fly down there without having practiced and hope to do well on the course? Or would you expect to work on your short game and try to cut down on slicing your drive before the trip? The same practice goes into the technique when casting a fly rod. To the funny story - when talking about other techniques or ways to target fish - think bottom bouncing for walleye or using a downrigger for salmon, he said something to the effect of “Well if I wanted to do any of those things, I’d have to buy a spinning rod” with a grin and a chuckle. If you want to hone your fly fishing skills, see beautiful scenery and catch some awesome fish, there is no better place to do so than Craig, MT. And CrossCurrents Fly Shop in Craig, Montana can help make it happen. A word to the wise, leave dancing shoes at home when you go.