We live right on Budd Inlet. In fact, our beach has been a popular gill net site for one Squaxin who, until this year, had some nice Chinook harvests. Nobody fished this year out front.

But, the coho appear to be in and jumping. May see a couple a minute. This has attracted a bunch of boat anglers who come motoring by casting towards shore. So far, totally unsuccessful but they are getting exercise casting.

Jumping staging coho can be a tough nut to crack. Fished the canal last weekend for cutts. Lots of coho around and boats chasing them. Didn’t see any get caught. I passed on fishing for them. They do bite at times. Hopefully whoever is fishing for them is there when they decide to do so. I’d rather spend my time driving myself crazy in other ways.
SF

One time I fished in Elliot Bay for Chinook. They were jumping all over the place. Would have been more successful if one had jumped into the boat. It does appear that this Budd fishery is primarily to drive ones self crazy. But it is good exercise and they are out there; both of which are good on a sunny day.

CM, you probably remember a few times that tens of thousands of Squaxin net pen coho decided to mill around Gull Harbor (strangely enough where they were loaded on the landing craft to be taken to the pens). At any given time you could see 100 of them in the air. Very few were caught, but a few did in fact jump into boats. I punched mine!

Is there any fish harder to move to a fly than a near-terminal saltwater salmon? If there is, I hope it's not the last thing I have to fish for, because they can be TOUGH!

Salmon seem to have good memories. Well, they do have lots of those carp in Mississippi River carps jumping into boats. Salmon probably taste better.

Ahh yes, the Dreaded leaping and waking coho ! I remember them well, too well actually, as they always try my casting and angling patience with their utter refusal to play. Tide after tide, day after day.

Itz what made me hate the Copalis River for life !

Much better luck fishing for them from the beach. The boats definitely spook the fish. Friend of mine has access to a beach opposite burfoot and does well.

I have yet to try for them at sunrise from a boat though... maybe that's the ticket.

Silver blade and blue or green bell you’re welcome.

Blue fox spinner of course and size 3 or 4

Thanks

another to try which worked good in idiot bay either trolling or casting from the boat was the point deifance spoon. that and the old ivory looking spoons of yester years. now if only i can remember where i put them....

I was thinking of heading down to those parts for some more coho beach fishing. Worth exploring this weekend? I had a few really good days off Whidbey last month, but with that closed, and the Sky still closed, I was looking for other half day options to try. (Something closer than a long day out on the OP).

Saw a couple guys out this morning on a higher tide but they got nothing and nothing jumped.

That wouldn't be the Pearl Wobbler that you're thinking of? Made with mother of pearl. Cool spoon

The Hunter Point side has been better on the ebb. For sure anchor and cast if you are on a boat without side planers. The fish yo-yoing in the deeper water are non biters.

10-12ft water is where the aggressive bucks hang near the erratic rocks left by the glacial age.

BW-29 is the wiggle plug color that I like this year. The smaller offering, 2.5in, or the older size 50 Hot Shots in 17089 have been the ticket. Often the bite happens when the lure starts to rise to the surface, close to the boat.

I have one Pearl Wobbler left in the old salt box, and never plan on using it again! Man those things were money back in the day!

I have a half of a dozen of the Fire spoon, pearl wobblers, made in Japan. That slow wobble even catches chum showing now. I released a ten or so chum with the lure just flatlined 75ft behind the dreamweaver ninja board, trolling slow.

The chum are more aggressive for sure.

Back in the day I helped feed chum and chinook at John's Creek, Bayshore. I felt betrayed by Harvest Management with the Northern catch and no opportunity here in the South Sound.

Cutthroat fishing was good on the beach last week in the northern part of inlet. Going to hit it again tomorrow on the incoming

I know I do very well in the canal with a magwart in pink or orange one ounce drop ball trolled in 30-40 ft of water. Outfish everyone casting towards the shore. Start as early as september and will ocasionally hook chinook too.