Havoc on the Humptulips

[Dr Plugbuster]

Leaving Aberdeen with Rich Mercado of Rich's Northwest Guide Service, a surprisingly good tip by the Great Nelly, we were on the Hump by 0600. Despite rookie spotlight operators we reached his honey hole in his ultra-wide and roomy Clackamas drift boat (Nelly, you might even fit) and had 3 early landings of a big snaggle toothed Chinook and 2 chrome hatchery silvers on egg clusters donated by previous keepers. The bite resumed about 11 after a switch to jigs. 3 chromers in the 15-20 lb range, two of which were wild visitors to our boat. Another darker 15 lb silver did decide to stay with us for dinner. The jigs also hooked several big Chinook on our light rods/reels, the last of which was seen stripping line on its way out of town. Probably 30lb +. O well. The remainder of the day drifting down stream resulted in no fish hooked or seen on other lines. In a demonstration of a great guide, we limited on a day when the fish were not on the bite after a good bit of rain the night before. An issue needing attention to all anglers did present itself: The State has decided to cut the Humptulips hatchery by 84%. If done, kiss the river fishery good bye in 3 yrs. Call the following to let them know how you feel: Senator Hargrove (360) 533-9477/ 786-7646, WDFW Commission (360) 902-2267, Rep Tharinger (360) 533-9243/786-7904.

[Eli]

Fished the hump sat and Sunday. Sat was crazy with the amount of boats counted 105. Fishing was kind of slow with one chinook at the helicopter hole. A ton of snaggers by the hatchery and one silver at cougar hole. Sunday we stayed down low and did well with 7 nooks hooked and landed 3 and got 6 silvers with 3 being hatchery and the biggest be 15 pounds. The pressure Sunday down low was hardly none.

[FishinJedi]

There was a Derby on Saturday, hence the larger amount of pressure.

Sounds like you did good both days!

[Nelly]

Ya know Doc, you slid that one by me!
Still great reports coming from the Hump! Less chromers but still a bunch of fish coming in on each rain!

By the way, did you bring a camera or do you expect us to believe your written word?