Skagit Area Report

[House]

Saltwater Reports
Area 7 has been a bit tough this week with pretty breezy conditions merely giving way to gale warnings and driving rain. However a few brave souls have ventured out during the occasional lull to find a pretty fair number of fish inside Rosario Strait from Eagle Bluff and Tide Point to Thatcher Pass and Kellet Ledge. By most accounts the go-to lures have been bait or small spoons like Coho Killlers and 3 inch Kingfishers in green or purple with a UV finish. Troll those spoons about three feet behind a flasher and if you’re a bait guy throw ‘em in a helmet about five feet back.

Smelt are starting to show in much better numbers in both Cornet Bay and Oak Harbor. Typically the last few hours of an incoming tide right up to high slack is the best bet but Oak Harbor has been known to do quite well on the dead low too. Give Cornet a shot first (don’t forget your Discover Pass) and if you don’t like what you see shoot on down the island.

Winter Bait
Its that time of year again, winter-caught Puget Sound Herring is here and available by the case. Reds, greens and blues are now on hand and look great! Supply is limited and it will go quickly.

Skagit and Cascade
Reports aren’t what you would call red hot but the river is fishable despite the heavy rains. Best accounts have come from those fishing the Birdsview to Concrete area, either trolling plugs or twitching jigs, for BIG silvers. One customer reported a 16lb average over the weekend with six fish ranging from 14-22lbs. If its iron you’re after the Cascade has been a bit slow in the mornings but those willing to rise super early have actually pulled a out a fair number of fish on white jigs tipped with prawns. Above the Sauk looks pretty good at the moment and the cold nights have kept the river in check up that way so hit it while you can.

Winter crabbing remains open in areas 5,6,7,8-1,8-2,9,12 and 13 through December 31st, seven days a week. Your winter card is due by February 1st.

Hunting
Brant season is a go! This weeks counts showed wintering populations to be more that 10,000 birds much better than last year. Check the regulations for the specific dates but the season opens in mid-January.

Duck and Geese aplenty
While I wouldn’t exactly call it cold the drop in temperature has been enough to move some birds back down our way. Lots of Snows have shown up on Fir Island and Chuckanut even up into the Snohomish Valley and most any field you look at with some water is covered up with a pile of birds. Look for some wind to stir them up and go!

Kevin John
Holiday Sports Center
Burlington, Washington
360-757-4361