I am throwing a bachelor party next month and rented a house between Belfair and Union, near the Twanoh State Park for the weekend of July 11th. (Golf, BBQ, Beer, Poker and fishing!)

A couple of us intend on staying sober enough to get out one morning and do some fishing that weekend, but none of us are familiar with the area.

Any help/advice would be appreciated! What species, landmarks to fish around, lures for trolling or jigging and anything else we should know about would be appreciated.

I think we are south of Ayok Pt., but not positive, and allowed to fish for Chinook. The regs mention a Hoodsport Hatchery fishery. I have no idea how far away that will be by water, but can we expect decent numbers of Chinook in early July?

Actually, since this is a humpy year just motor up to the Hoodsport hatchery and fling pink spinners or buzzbombs at them - they school up and bite pretty good at first light. Won't be many kings around till August usually.

Dont forget the crab pots . THeir is some excellent crabbing in the area.

Thanks for the tips on crabbing and the that there is a run of Pinks in the canal! Much appreciated

Does anyone know where the Pinks are headed? The same river the hatchery is on?

Thanks Again - what a cool resource this board is.

The pinks that they are referring to are headed to the finch creek hatchery in hoodsport.This is the same chum snag zone you hear about in the fall.The few natives left in the canal do not show up until later.

A trip up to lk cusman could give you the opportunity at some land locked chinnook and some huge dollies.Dollies must be released!There is also a good trout fishery.

Of course the searun cutthroat fishing in the canal can be absolutely phenominal!

There miht even be such a thing as summer run steelhead n a river or two oround there

Gotcha,
Thanks ltlCLEO

When do the pinks start showing up? I've never fished for them down here, just in Alaska. Are they game for the fly rod and what do they hit? Thanks for any info.

~steelymann~

Steelymann -

I have seen several people entice Pinks to hit a fly along the west side of Whidbey. I don't know what pattern they hit, but I think it is common enough that the fly shops would know. The shop in Port Townsend ties saltwater flies and sells them on their web site, unfortunatly I don't remember the name of the shop. You may be able to find it on a google search. The fly guys I know buy them from the PT shop.

John's SportingGoods in Everett, or Ted's in Lynwood may also have some ideas for you.
Good Luck -

SteelyDan,

Last Pink season I was down there I had some Bonefish flies with me(Crazy Charlies - Pink/ white) and some epoxy Baitfish and they worked great. I used clear intermediate line and the flies were size 4-6. The Chum candy tied in red also worked well.

Here's a link to a discussion on pink flies. It has a lot of good patterns. As far as timing go's, I don't have a clue when they arrive at hoodsport. I know they arrive in the fraser starting in August.

I guess the link would have been good.
patterns for pink