I'm a first time poster here and had a question. I am planning to fish for Chum around Hoodsport on October 23. Will the Chum be in the freshwater in good numbers by October 23 or does the run start later?

Welcome to the board maribumonkey, sorry but i dont have the answer to your question, but i too am wondering the same thing about hoodsport chum run.

Maybe,maybe not.While I don't personally partake last year yes there were fish in however the nets won't be far behind whenever they show up

Timing is everything because once the nets come out it becomes a grotesque kill scene that somehow never makes the papers back in Washington DC.

Lots of jumpers in the North end of the Canal, they are going down that way.

You should try Johns Creek for chums this week.

how far is johns creek from the hoodsport hatchery?

Johns Creek is not on the Hood Canal but in the South Sound north of Shelton.

I was thinking about heading that direction next week due to the oil spill here, is there much bank access on the Johns river?

Went to hoodsport for some "chumage" but all we caught was a bird. Seeing that there were no chums there we decided to hit the skok. Had 6 fish on and land a 12# 19# and 9# silver.

Johns Creek, about four miles north of Shelton along SR 3, has a little bank access near high tide. But by then you should be able to catch a few fish. Most people park at a wide shoulder area just south of Bayshore. Then walk along the beach toward the mouth of the creek.
Most of the fishing takes place over private shelfish beds. Please respect the shelfishers' work and limit your impact on the area.

buddies and i are thinkin of hittin up Kennedy creek on monday will let you all know the scoop

Thnx Slab for the info will try it out next week

Hooked 4 chums at John's today on the fly. Lots of fish. Get there st the start of the incoming.

Gents,

Sorry for my ignorance but I don't know about the netting mentioned in these posts: "once the nets come out it becomes a grotesque kill scene"

Could someone explain the netting situation that is mentioned.

Thanks for all the reports guys!!

MM,

I believe the phone number for the Finch Creek Hatchery is (360) 877-5222.
They will be "in the know" when the fishing picks up. They will also pass along the netting schedule.

In years past the net slaughter was to get the eggs. Males were dumped out of the nets. So, after netting the shoreline was littered with dead/dieing salmon. The seals would grab a few of those. But most were left to rot.

This year things might be a little better. Hood Canal has had a year of very low disolved oxygen levels. The nutrient load from the carcasses is one of the contributing factors. So, they may take 'em elsewhere.

The tribes have been told not to leave the carcases this year and have said they will not leave them. There was a story in the paper a month back. Also a thread here about it, should be able to find it with search.

Hoodsport is the epitome of "slob fishing". I used to make the 5 hour pilgramage there each year with my sons but about 4 years ago we quit going. On the "Tribal" fishing days they stretch out a beach seine that is literally 500 yards long! They completely encircle the area surrounding Finch Creek. If you are fishing, too bad, get out of the way, they are stretching it out anyway. Then they pull the net into the beach at finch creek with literally thousands of chum in it. The fish are tossed in every direction, males get thumped and tossed on shore to rot, females into the boat for eggs. It's disgusting and there is nothing more discouraging when you are trying to have a good time fishing. When they are done you might as well forget fishing for the day.

Now if that isn't enough, the sport anglers are the rudest I have ever personally run into. Don't get me wrong, I have sat in my share of hoglines and trolled the circle jerk and Drano but Hoodsport is another story. There are always several that take great joy in purposely snagging the lines of others fighting fish. The last time I was there my boy hooked a big fish and was doing his best to control it. About this time I heard some guys down from us yell, "cast over his line, get it"...well they did and broke us off.

Not for me...when fishing turns to this I will quit.

RM

That's not fishin in my book.Screw the chums and the slob's.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

all i got to say about kennedy creek ......WOOOOF WOOOF WOOOF