Reports have been fairly positive, including for salmon fishing off Tacoma. There also are reports of more chum in area rivers. Lake fishing has been slowed by the cold nights.
RIVERS
Columbia: There was been some decent steelhead fishing in the John Day Pool, according to a state report. The gorge has been the best location for sturgeon action.
Humptulips: Fishing was fair to good early this week. People were catching coho and chinook on jigs tipped with eggs. The majority of the fish are dark, but it’s still worth checking out.
Minter: Chum have yet to show up in any significant numbers.
Olympic Coast: The Sol Duc is producing some good catches of chinook and coho. Drifting eggs or jigs seem to be the most effective, especially with low and clear water conditions.
Puyallup: The river is producing some coho but mainly one here and one there, based on angler reports. People seem to be having luck using jigs in pink or purple.
Skagit: Reports coming from this river might make it worth the trip north. People are consistently catching coho, although some are starting to show some color. Anglers are using Virbax spinners, Brad’s Wigglers and jigs, said Mike Chamberlain at Ted’s Sports Center.
LAKES
Beaver: This lake north of Issaquah was planted with 2,500 rainbow trout weighing 2-3 pounds apiece.
Island: This Mason County lake recently was stocked with 1,100 rainbow trout weighing almost a pound each. There were another 3,395 smaller trout stocked as well. Spencer Lake also got a recent plant of trout.
Lone: Fly anglers are having success slowly trolling flies, landing fish measuring 13-16 inches.
Rattlesnake: Fishing for rainbow trout has been good to very good in recent days. Trying trolling a dark-colored leech or Woolly Bugger, or casting them toward shore and slowly retrieving them.
Rufus Woods: The action for triploid rainbow trout has been pretty good in recent days, said Joe Heinlen of Lake Chelan Adventures. He recommends trolling flies close to the surface or casting lures towards shore. Anglers should concentrate on points with structures such as rocks or logs, he said.
SALT WATER
Beaches: There is a razor clam dig today at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks. Digging will be allowed starting at noon, with the low tide taking place at 7:23 p.m.
Hood Canal: There seems to be plenty of chum in the waters around the hatchery in Hoodsport. Green seems to be the more effective color.
North Sound: There seems to be blackmouth all around the area. The hot spots seem farther north, including Possession Bar, on the Camano Island side of Saratoga Passage and Baby Island. Jefferson Head has been producing some fish.
Tacoma: Salmon fishing is showing some signs of improvement. People are having the most luck trolling with a flasher and spoons or hoochies 120-150 feet down. Try off Les Davis Pier and the grain elevators, Point Dalco and Quartermaster Harbor. Success jigging for squid off the dock has been sporadic, said Art Tachell at Point Defiance Marina.
Jeffrey P. Mayor, staff writer jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com
