The Outdoor Line Forum

Hi Tom,
My son just came home after a seven month deployment to Afghanistan with the Marine Corps. He loves fishing and we have a boat with downriggers although I’m not opposed to using a guide in new areas I’m not familiar with. We’re planning to fish 3-4 days between August 25 and Labor Day. We have experience fishing Seiku, Neah Bay, Possession, Ship Wreck, Westport, Ucluelet, B.C. etc.

What would be the top two-three suggestions in terms of where to fish and guides that know the area. We’ll be in Chelan the first few days he’s home and might just focus on the Chinook fishery in the Brewster/Bridgeport area on the river. If the fish are in and on the bite that might be our best bet.

Any suggestions you have would be appreciated.

Regards,

Paul Wiggum
425-761-2960

Yo P-Dub!
You've picked one heckuva time frame there!
Let's talk coastal ops first:
Westport has a very attractive combination of close-in chinook and 40 miles offshore you have albacore tuna. Mark Coleman of allRiversguideservice.com is a great charter operator who can hook you up with either of these world-class opportunities.

Sekiu can blow up with smokin' coho action around Labor Day and Chris Mohr of Van Ripers Resort is a solid, knowledgable and dependable contact out there.

Last and definitely not least, local pink and coho action should not be overlooked! Try Gary Krein and Nick Kester of All Star Charters for a great Puget Sound experience!

I would love to hear others suggestions on the subject!

Hey Paul,

I second Gary Krein and Nick Kester if your looking for a guide in the Puget Sound action. I fished with Gary for Lingcod this year and picked up a ton of great information.

However, if you have a boat with downriggers you shouldn't have any problem doing well on your own. A flasher / pink hootchie combo is a pretty safe bet right now in the usual spots for both pinks and silvers.

Another option you may want to consider would be Chelan Lake Trout. Both Darrell and Dad's Guide Service and Lake Chelan Adventures do a great job putting some nice lakers in the boat.

Good luck!

Sekiu would be my first pick. Great spot to be this time of year. Hangin around the sound will also be killer for those dates. Shipwreck, poss bar, edmonds/oil docks will all be pumpin out fish.

Since you sound open to a "anywhere in WA" experience, and can either take your own boat, or go with a guide, I would think any of the options listed is a great one...let the recent reports, weather forecast and tides be your determining factor. I'd start by narrowing it down to a couple of options in each region. Ocean, Straits, Sound, River, Lakes. Then consult the tide book, long range forecast, fishing reports etc and make your list...top 1-5. Then let your son pick his choice of poison.

Good luck, tight lines, and thank your son for his service for us all.