One tip for you new gear slingers. When you go out for chums for the first time, don't belly up right next to the fly fishermen. They need a little extra room and the gear guy's lead weights hitting the water do spook the fish.

I've been over at Hoodsport and purposely fished about 100 yards away from the crowds. One time we hit fish on the first cast and the "crowd" bellied right up next to us, close enough to where I could hit them with my rod.. about 3 feet away.

It ain't good etiquette...

Now that I said that... chum fishing is a blast... strong fish. Don't go undergunned as they will break rods. I've caught them up to 23 pounds on a fly rod.