Launched at zero dark thirty to fish the Saltchuck for Chinook, we were chasing that primal rush only a screaming reel can deliver. The air was crisp, the kind of Pacific Northwest morning with the fog clinging to the water like the old barfly you shouldn’t have brought home, clinging to you with her grip tightening with every step, refusing to let go with the promise of chrome kings lurking beneath the glassy surface with the water looking calm like a lake. My buddy and I had the boat rigged and ready: rods loaded with 20-pound test, flashers winking in the predawn gloom, and a cooler itching for action. Puget Sound’s a beast, we had struck out Wedendsday but my buddy got one yesterday and we heard they killed them on the afternoon high. The bite's on with Chinook season in full swing, we were ready to tangle with some heavy hitters.

The game plan was simple—troll the deep edges off the Point where the currents churn baitfish into a smorgasbord for hungry salmon. We dropped lines at first light, running a spoon on one rod then then a hootchie behind a green flasher on the other, the depthfinder painting a promising picture of bait schools and scattered marks. The hum of the kicker motor was our morning hymn, and the coffee thermos was our lifeline as we scanned the water for signs of life.



Twenty minutes in, rod one goes off like a firecracker. Ziiiiing! The tip buried, and I grabbed it, feeling the raw power of a fish that didn’t know the meaning of quit. “Wild or hatchery?” My buddy hollered, netting ready. The Chinook—a solid 15-pounder—cartwheeled twice, chrome sides flashing like a disco ball. After a five-minute brawl, we brought it boatside. Adipose fin—wild. With a quick twist of the hook, we sent that beauty back to the deep, its tail kicking up a farewell spray. Not an hour later, rod two buckled, and my buddy was on. This fish was a bulldog, hugging the bottom and peeling line like it had somewhere to be. Ten minutes of tug-of-war later, we netted a 10-pound hatchery fish, its clipped adipose fin signaling keeper status. Into the cooler it went, destined for the grill. The morning was heating up, and so were we.

Midday brought a lull, the sun burning off the fog and turning the Sound into a mirror. We bumped our depth, chasing the fish as they sulked deeper. Patience paid off when rod one screamed again. This time, it was a wild 14-pounder, all muscle and attitude, throwing headshakes that tested my knots. We admired its chrome flanks and released it to fight another day. As the morning waned, we hooked our final fish—a 10-pound hatchery Chinook that hit like a freight train and fought like it knew the cooler was waiting. After a spirited battle, we iced it down, high-fiving over a day well spent. Two wilds released, two hatchery fish kept, and a boatload of stories to tell.



Saltchuck delivered, as it always does for those willing to put in the hours. The key? Fish early, match your gear to the conditions, and respect the wild ones. Back at the dock, we cleaned our keepers under the watchful eyes of the gulls and the seals, already planning the next dawn patrol. Chinook season’s short, boys—get out there and get after it.

Nice. Are those fish transgenda?


Streamer

Now that’s how the Bear runs thru the Buckwheat !

I knew it was gonna be good. I need to pull the damn Kokanee gear out the boat, and fill it back up with our MA -xx gear. Might have to wait until next Wednesday’s re-opener, as that’s a shrit load of gear to move around !

Hey now FP, are you sure about that twenty pound line, sounds a bit lite for the meet-line and pulley guides ?

Seriously, congrats to the great Lund Crew, and I’ll be looking for y’all on next Wednesday’s reopening...

Feesh On in the Blue RH & GXR rr.

Artistic license, one twenty just doesn't have the same ring to it.

So, itz the 2nd June opener for chinook in the south sound. It looks like approximately 200 fisherfolk were out, and approximately 30 Chinook were counted .


Looked like a bit of a dark and breezy day for the 2nd opener, so maybe that helped with the catch rate, but congrats to those that were out.


I wonder if that catch counting includes the crews of the research fisheries fishing boat that zoom trolls around the recreational fleet all mornings ?

And no Pinks counted Yet ...

Puget Sound Chinook Quest: back for more on the Saltchuck! After last week’s hot bite, we couldn’t resist another crack at the Saltchuck’s Chinook. Launched at zero dark thirty, the air was sharp enough to cut glass, with that clingy Pacific Northwest fog hanging on like the old barfly you swore you’d never dance with again—her grip tighter than a rusted trailer hitch, whispering promises of chrome kings lurking below. The Sound was flat as a lake, and my buddy and I had the boat primed: rods rigged with 20-pound test, a green flasher trailing a hootchie on one, a silver spoon on the other, and the cooler begging for a repeat performance. We’d heard whispers of a slower bite since our last haul, but with Chinook season still kicking, we were ready to grind it out.

We trolled the same deep edges off the Point, where the currents swirl baitfish into a salmon buffet. Lines hit the water as the first gray light crept through the fog, our depthfinder sketching bait schools and the occasional big mark that got our pulses racing. The kicker motor growled its familiar tune, and the coffee thermos kept us sharp as we watched the rods like hawks.

Twenty minutes in, rod one twitched, then buried hard. Ziiiiing! I was on, wrestling a fish that felt like it had a score to settle. This wasn’t a Chinook, though—after a short, scrappy fight, up came a dogfish, all teeth and bad attitude. We shook it loose and sent it back to the depths, no worse for wear. Not long after, rod two jumped, and I was battling another dogfish, this one feistier than the last. Back it went, slinking off with a flick of its tail. The Sound was testing us, but we weren’t here for bottom-dwellers. Midmorning, the fog finally gave up its stranglehold, and the sun turned the water to a mirror. We dropped deeper, chasing the fish as they sulked in the cooler depths. Then, rod one screamed like a banshee. I grabbed it, feeling the raw power of a real contender. This Chinook—a 12-pound hatchery fish—hit like a sledgehammer, peeling line and throwing spray with every headshake. After a seven-minute brawl, we netted it, the clipped adipose fin gleaming like a winning lottery ticket. I snapped a quick photo, grinning like a kid with that chrome slab, and into the cooler it went. Dinner was secured.



My buddy wasn’t done yet. He opens his tackle box with two dozen well worn white plugs, guess his favorite color, every one a proven fish slayer and pulls out a torn up Krilich Killer and ties it on. Ned Krilich Sr. was a prominent fisherman who charted the Puget Sound’s bottom topography (e.g., around Point Defiance) using a sounding line before they had depth finders, gaining a reputation for catching large salmon, including a 52-pound king. He invented the Krilich Killer, a white Alaskan cedar plug with a red slash, designed to resemble a wounded herring. Patented in 1951, it was sold for $3 each and became popular among Puget Sound anglers for its spinning action during trolling. Just past tide change with the Kirilich Killer mojo going, his rod buckled and he was hooked into a wild 16-pounder that danced across the surface like it was auditioning for a highlight reel. It threw everything it had—headshakes, dives, the works—but my buddy played it like a pro. At boatside, we saw the adipose fin and gave it a respectful release, watching it rocket back to the deep with a splash that said, “Not today, boys.” Before we called it, we pulled up a surprise rockfish, its spiky fins and bug eyes earning a quick release to keep the karma clean.

One keeper Chinook, two dogfish, and a rockfish released, plus a wild beauty sent back to the Sound—it wasn’t the haul of last week, but the Saltchuck still delivered. The key? Stick with it, keep your gear tight, and don’t let the fog or the dogfish shake you. Back at the dock, we cleaned that lone keeper under the greedy stares of gulls and a nosy seal, already scheming the next dawn raid. Chinook season’s a fickle beast, fellas—get out there and make it count. Keep your hooks sharp and your ski masks on!

You should show up to Point Defiance tomorrow wearing that MAGA hat. You’re sure to make a ton of new friends.



Streamer

Looks like a Southsound Claybank in der background iff’n ya aksed me !

That hat’s got some wireline’n magic in it fo show !

FP to the top of the the south sound king’ers derby,

Congrats.

Slowing down a bit but there are still a few decent fish around. I picked up a #15 this morning and a #16 last Saturday. You have to work for ‘em though.


Streamer

Trolled around MA 11 yesterday. Huge outgoing wasn't the best conditions but thought a 2 H Chinook limit opportunity would be worth a try. Had one on and off quick. Checker had checked 1 chinook for 40 anglers. Figures WDFW gives a 2 fish opportunity with few available.

Hmmm, all you trolls out there are still scratching up a fish or two, so where’s our mooching/jigging reports ? Did you guys fall outta the boat or something ?

Only a few daze left for us south sound guys before they shut her down, and still no Pinks on the leaders board.

I went today, my buddy got one but I got blanked. Didn't see too many others caught.

We’ll, The next South sound opener in mid July, appears to be Three whole daze of Opportunity. Wow, that’s great.

Early morning low tides to enable swift and carefree boat launches when there is little room for error. Thank gawd that they still have “only “ one set of launching and recovery docks for the smaller fleet outta Redumbdo.

Anyways, south sound’s glass half full predictions says , “ it’ll be a nice long in -tide until noontime.”

In tides are good for salmons, right ?

16 daze and counting.

The last 3 days of the MA 11, 2 chinook limit offered by WDFW, yielded 20 chinook checked with 545 anglers participating. Most of PS getting just 3 days for chinook. Thanks WDFW for all the opportunity!

If you want more opportunity on Chinook inside PS then close down the fisheries outside PS. It's a simple numbers game. There are X fish to catch.

Ah yeah the marine fisheries thing. Funny how that is ignored by users and enviros are about the only voice really opposed!

Remember that Frank Haw had a huge hand in developing WDF's sport salmon fisheries, especially PS. He was an avid saltwater angler although I know he chased fish every damn where. But when I came to WDF I noticed that all the salmon anglers were marine anglers from boats. I had a really hard time getting a fishery for pinks in the Dungeness because "the ocean is open, we'll take them there." It became apparent to me then, and more so as the career went on, that a person becomes a good manager when they can effectively implement a fishery they would not prefer to fish instead of their favorites.