11-12-24 REELLIFE digital - Flipbook - Page 27
fishing
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
