Long time lurker, o.k., maybe I was a member way, way back, but e-mail, home address, etc. has changed...whatever!

Question:

Was planning one last trip up to Hoodsport tomorrow (a once a year thing usually for me) but it sounds as if the tribes are netting the hatchery zone Monday and Wednesday this week. I have a boat and am wondering if there are any good or better alternatives available in hood canal or ??? for chum or silvers. Or would it still be worth hitting the hatchery zone? Was planning on taking a kid or two up as well.
If you'd rather PM me vs. replying to this post, that would be fine as well!
Glad to be a member! (Again...? )

Chico creek has lots of fish right now. It is about 6 miles north of Bremerton. No boat required.

I should have been more specific in stating that I'm looking for alternatives in the Hood Canal area. I'm pulling a boat from Portland.

I went to Hoodsport once, I think a good alternative to that place is hitting myself in the head with a hammer.

LMAO!@#!
I know, I know... But it's a once a year thing for me, usually. Just wanted to get some kids (myself included) into a bunch before it was over.

Are you heading up from Portland on Monday? If you are Chico is a great option - it is no further than Hoodsport.

If your heart is set on Hood Canal Chum many, many of the creeks that dump into the canal will have Chums running un them. Specifically try Mission creek off the North Shore Rd just outside of Belfair. The Union R estuary can be fun walking out on Theiler wetlands. Both of these spots are shore fishing, boats can't really get in there. Concentrations of Chum won't be the same as what you can see at Hoodsport, but the pressure will be much lighter. If you want to fish out of your boat you could launch at the Port of Allen and look for pods of fish along the shore heading towards the Union R. Be very careful of the bottom - it is very shallow in there.

I know you might have limited time if you're just doing a day trip, but don't be afraid to do some exploring. If you look you can easily find lots of fish and lots less yahoos then the zone has to offer.

Steve

I'd say wulybgr gave some great advice

Wulybgr -
When you say off the mouth of the Union River is 'shallow', are you saying that it's a foot or two deep or ???
I have a 14' Delta with a 6 horse motor which doesn't draft alot of water. At times, the 'Zone' was fairly shallow as well. I just want to have some idea of the area if you happen to know. Thanks!

Out of the Port of Allen the max depth of the canal is about 30'. Quickly as you head towards Belfair it shallows to about 5-6'. The bottom is mostly flat and with a 14' boat you should be fine, but take it easy. There is a park that Mission creek flows out of - I forget the name, but you will pass it on the way to the Port of Allen. You could get access to thw water here if you wanted to do the bank thing.

A couple of things to note. The Port of Allen is not in the town of Allen. To get to the Port of Allen boat launch take a left at Safeway in Belfair. Continue straight through the stop sign. This is the North Shore road. The boat launch is about two miles past the park that is mentioned above. You can get access (bank) to the Unoin estuary right where you cross the river. The launch at Allen is not the best place to launch a giant boat, but a 14 footer should be fine. As you leave the launch turn towards Belfair and you should see some fish rolling.

Steve

So how did you do? Where did you go? Those of us stuck at work all day are dying for details.

Steve

Well, Hwy 106 to Belfair was a joy; especially when you are stuck behind someone doing 25-30 mph. Got to the Port of Allyn around 8:00am (low tide). You couldn't see more than 100 yards out. I could see tidal flats exposed out aways so I didn't chance it. Nor did I see any fish finning or jumping (again, it was low tide and I wouldn't have been able to see them anyways due to the fog). Stopped at Belfair State park. Same story.
Great. So back to 101 we go via 106. Once again, behind some giant SUV that's more than likely never used it's 4WD before. Some really nice places along the water though as well as some nice resorts. Would love to know somebody that owns/rents out a place up there!
To Hoodsport we go. I know...why. Boat in water by 9:30 - 10:00am. Fog breaking up. When they talk about raping the water, they mean it. They'll net it, then re-net it immediately afterwards. Neat. I didn't see one fish jump, porpoise, nothing. We fished maybe a half hour just north of the cement wall with nothing to show for it. It was amazing to see fisherman inside the bouys at the hatchery fishing, while the tribal netting boat completely encircling them while they're still fishing. I didn't stick around to watch the shouting match. Fog coming back, getting cold.
Headed back towards the boat launch.
Decided half way back to do some exploring. Where we ended up fishing, no fish were making themselves present above water when we first arrived (around noon). Sat and at some lunch and just watched the shoreline. I started to see a couple of fish jumping completely out of the water within a few feet of each other. I keep watching, as these are typically solo fish freaking out (loosening eggs from skeins?). Soon another jumps right in that area. I keep watching. Fins. Then another set. Then 5 feet ahead more fins.
Pull anchor and move. 4 fish to the net within maybe 20-30 minutes, a bunch of fish on/off in that time. Another boat shows up that we saw fishing the outside of the net up at the zone. He was fishing bobber and herring. He ended up with one. 2 bankies show up using the bobber and herring thing - 1 fish. We keep moving around and end up in the 4 hours with 15 fish to the net and at least double that number that we played then lost right next to the boat. No snagged fish.
3 of the hens I caught were fairly bright (silver still present over most of its sides), however, most were turning almost a 'carpish-yellow'. ???
All in all, well worth the drive up (although it didn't look to good at first).
We were using Maxima Ultra-Green 12#, bobber (2' - 3' from jig), pink marabou jigs and 'special plastic' baits made by Storm, all tipped with a small piece of prawn meat was our ticket. Prawns didn't seem to hurt (we've never added them to our presentations in the past and have done well).
So here I am, fishing next to a boater and 2 bankies using bobber and herring. I'm catching a releasing fish. They're dead in the water, making comments like 'what are we doing different' and 'he's got one again'.
We moved again. This time to what seemed like the honey hole. The other boater left. ???
The bankies were soon following the bank over to where we were. ??? Same story. 'What's he doing different?'.

Here's what I do different:
To be continued after lunch...