Where is a good place that I can bank fish for humpies? I'm used to boat fishin' but the boats gone. I can bank fresh or salt just need to hook a fish so my son can play it. Need a place name on the Skagit if suggested. I'm not askin' for honey holes.

Bruce,

Wow, Angler #12. You must be a plank owner.

Here is the skinny on Skagit Humpies, and it isn't too much of a secret.

My spot that I fished when I lived in Bellingham was down in Burlington. Coming from the south, I would take the exit JUST PAST where you go over the Skagit. I know it is the Anacortes exit, I think exit 230. You can pick up all of your terminal tackle at the Holiday Market on highway 20. It is about 200 yards from the freeway on the west side as you head to Anacortes.

Once you pick up your gear, unless you already have it, head back into Burlington as if you were visiting the outlet mall, but just keep driving south on the main drag that parallels I-5 on the east side. Just before you get to the Skagit river there will be a right turn that will take you around and under the bridge. Now you should be heading due east. You will see a railroad bridge and a lot of people. Park there, get into the line, or even better, head west towards I-5 50 yards or so to get yourself out of the mayhem. You will still catch fish.

These directions may sound convoluded, but you can see the hole from the I-5 bridge where you cross the Skagit just by looking East (to your right). You want to fish between the railroad bridge, and the city street bridge. There are three bridges in a row, all in a half mile or less with the I-5 bridge being the western most.

It can be combat fishing, but most folks down there have been pretty decent in my experience. Nothing like some of the other meatholes out there.

The gear that I fished very successfully was as follows. I used a spreader bar, three way, made of wire (available usually at Holday Market, I miss that place ). I ran a pyramid weight, usually about 4 or 5 ounces, off of the bottom spot on the spreader with a swivel and 10 inches 6lb test. This way if you cast one off into oblivion or hang one up on the bottom, you have another one already rigged to just snap on.

I ran about 24" of 12lb leader to a hook, choose your size, with an egg loop. I preferred a pink winged bobber with one black wing, thanks to my sharpee. From there I attached a nice sand shrimp, and would cast upstream so that my line would come to rest in front of me.

Put the rod in a rod holder, along with a cowbell, so you can watch you son, and you're set. It is an easy method, less casting involved, and you don't lose too much gear. Just make sure that you have enough for at least 4 or 5 complete riggings for each rod you guys fish.


Go help your kid catch a fish, and let us know how you did.

Andy

Thanks!! We are on our way!

We went to Holiday market as suggested. They suggested go to Deception pass. My son got a nice 8# humpie. Took 3 hours. He finally got bored again and we left.

For those that have never been to the Holiday market in Burlington, they are very helpful and have a FULLY stocked fishing dept.

Thanks Andy!!!!!!!!

Cool!

I fished the Skagit yesterday morning and folks were doing pretty good. It seems like the plunkers had the best luck. Bank or boat, it didn't seem to matter. I was there for a couple hours with hardware and missed one. The best action was right around sunrise with Spin'n glows about a foot from the weight. Most of the fish were bright and ranged to 5 pounds, the biggest hitting about 7 but getting ugly.

I hate plunking, no matter how effective it is, but it seemed like a safe and easy place to go with kids. I might take my toddler down there if I can't find a better spot. I can plunk if it gets her interested in the sport. (She caught a 3 pound triploid earlier this summer and wants to go out every weekend).

Good luck on the battle field this weekend!