Resurrected!!!

December 5, 2011

With memories of last year's San Juan Island (Marine Area 7) smokin' hot blackmouth (winter feeder chinook) opener spinning through my head, I couldn't wait to get up to the Islands for the opener! Add the fact that I'm going to have my pard' Robbo Endsley and Island guru Jay Field on board Big Red […]

Bayside Marine Salmon Derby 2011: Blackmouth On The Bite!

November 7, 2011

For the second year in a row, I've had the opportunity to fish the Marine Area 8 & 9 opener to "scout" or pre-fish the opening event of the Northwest Salmon Derby Series, the Bayside Marine Derby. Usually,  there are a few "easy" fish available on opening day and you get a good read on […]

Four Techniques for Schwacking Chum Salmon

November 2, 2011

I was talking to guide Phil Stephens of Mystical Legends Guide Service last week about how the fishing had been recently on the Humptulips River and he exclaimed, "There's plenty of kings and silvers in there but you can't get past the infestation of chums to get to them!" Eeek…tough duty Phil! I'm still chuckling […]

Bobber Fishing for Fall Salmon

October 12, 2011

Ray's bobber went down for the umpty-umph time that morning and he reeled hard into a chrome king salmon that quickly headed for the tangled mess of lumber immediately downstream of where we were anchored. After some finaggling and coaxing Ray co-erced the chrome king salmon boatside and I slid the basket of my Frabill […]

Four Techniques for Fall Coho

September 26, 2011

  Steve Maris and I with limits of chrome coastal silver salmon from last fall When I opened the door to the house this morning to hustle the garbage out to the street corner I was greeted by rain. Lots of rain! Dragging the can out to the street in my usual morning coffee outfit […]

Coho Know How 2011

September 12, 2011

Last season was nothing short of a silver bust in local waters but hot on the heels of a pink salmon run is a very solid showing of chunky coho salmon! With the Everett Coho Derby looming in a little more than a week, let's brush up on some silver slaying strategies! Robbie Tobeck gets […]

Nailing Down Nootka!

August 30, 2011

After visiting the Nootka Sound Resort in late April on our "scouting mission" the prospect of fishing my own boat out of this incredible facility on the west coast of Vancouver Island had me counting the days until I could return. I was not disappointed. Unlike all our other fishing trips where we fend for ourselves […]

Choosing the Right Bait Hook

August 19, 2011

Are you tired of wondering if you still have bait after every microscopic bite or even worse, losing fish after fish because your may have selected the wrong bait hook. Check out these hook designs for a little help on selecting the correct bait hook the next time you go fishing. Circle Hook Circle hooks […]

“Selective” Summer (So far…)

August 9, 2011

One of my favorite regional salmon fishing opportunities is our local summer chinook season. The Marine Area 9 & 10 selective harvest opportunity dates back to 2007 when, after several years of closures, the north central Sound again got to fish for summer kings. “I hope anglers remember how we got here”  states Tony Floor, […]

A Story About the Fishiest Dude I Know

July 29, 2011

BY JOHN WHITLATCH. It all started with an unexpected phone call about 18 yrs ago. I had just graduated from high school and was struggling to become a professional fishing guide. The summer days were growing long and warm when my neighbor and long time family friend Randy Bovy called. He wanted to take his […]