I understand the silvers are in, averaging 8 lbs, at Quilcene. Any good tips for these fiesty critters?

Are you talking about Puget Sound? If so - are they in the bay or in the creek? Let me know I might be able to help!

Hood Canal, Dabob Bay, Whitney Point to Quilcene??????? Thick, rolling on top, jumping on surface, from shore to 75ft.

Yes there are fish in the bay and I understand there are fish in the river two, by the end of this week there should be for sure if we get all the rain they are talking about. The fish are averageing 4-8 pounds, and depending on when you go you can sort through the smaller ones. Friday we got 4 limits and no fish were smaller then 6 pounds. Saturday 3 fish for 3 people in 8 hours. And went back tonight and got three in just over two hours.
Friday jigging was the way to go, if you had the right jig and found a school, you could have a fish every 5 min. Saturday, I was not there, but friends got 3 in 1 hour and nothing else on jigs all day. Tonight we got ours on jigs but the trollers were doing better with herring and spoons. There are some nice crab too. Send me an e-mail if you want more info.

NEN

Weather is real brutal right now for fishing the salt in Quil Bay but the good news is rain. I will be on the river Thursday and Friday for sure. Small vibrax/mepps spinners in the upper river are best. A method combining drift and plunking techniques using orange yarn works best down around the Rogers ST access. There are some Coho in the 10 to 12 pound range....last season saw one chromer fly caught buck that weighed just over 16. Make sure you are totally legal as fisheries patrol is behind the trees. Also expect to rub shoulders with a ton of Quillabilly snaggers.

And I thought I was one of the few that called them Quilbillies . I might try fishing down there tomorrow with eggs and I'll see what happens.

~ Dr Pepper

I was thinking about heading over there friday. Are there any fish to be had in the saltwater? If so are there certain areas that are better than others. I was planning on flyfishing from a small boat. Any info is much appreciated. you can E-mail me if you like.

Hey, Doc,
Do you really want to know what happens when the warden finds you using eggs there? It's selective gear only, if you weren't just kidding around.

Coho are scattered all along the shoreline from Pt. Whitney to the river mouth. They have been stacking up just north of Frenchmans Pt( best for flipping green buzzbombs). Nasty if the winds out of the north and unpleasant if its blowing hard from the south. You can usually troll between the shellfish lab and south of Frenchmans even in a hard blow from the south. Fishing partner found the rain bringing them into the river in large schools tuesday before dark. Chartreuse yarn worked for him if the chum aren't too thick otherwise orange is the ticket. No eggs and read the selective fishery regulations real careful as they aren't giving warnings this year.
I'm there tomorrow...glorius 12 pounders in a little dinky river...HooYah!

Yo, Y all me and some of my boyz will be hittin the river hard dis weekend, do ya now
if da man when he checks yo license does he check for warrants too!
the dog

No I wasn't kidding about the eggs! I didn't check the regs until I got to the river and then realized it was selective gear rules. My dad and I were fishing there yesterday. There were lots of people even on a week day. Prepare for some combat fishing on the weekend. Just about eveyone there was snagging. One guy had about a 5'6" foot halibut rod and he got 10-12 silvers that we saw; all of them were snagged.

If there is a sportman out there that wants to try legally catching a fish, use a spinner. Yesterday the river was muddy brown from all the rain so I used a chartuese and silver spinner. I just let it sit in the current for about 5 seconds and a nice buck came up and nailed it. Good luck combat fishing if you go!

~ Dr Pepper

Yo Dog all the Quillabilly rednecks have outstanding warrants so just blend in sort of if any of you are worried. :p Doc's choice of silver/chartreuse vibrax spinners is a good choice as the fish are really moving thru the lower river. A new fish bud from Alabama got his first, second, third and fourth silvers ever on one. Busted my butt all day for my legally caught limit using yarn and he had his in an hour. Won't be leavin my spinners at home tomorrow.

Doc the guy you saw with the tuna rod snagging fish was likely Butch. He's from the Jamestown S"Klallam Tribe and is harvesting fish for tribal elders. He's cool with us locals. He is one of several progressive tribal harvestors I am working with who would rather see tribal fishing rights taking advantage of sport guide/charter opportunities ala Quinalts. Regardless of opinions this is a way to eliminate nets which should be our goal regardless of race.
Anyway Butch is a good guy to get to know as he except when feeding the elderly generally catches his fish same as the rest of us with sport legal gear and methods....his knowledge alone of winter steelhead runs on the peninsula is worth the friendship.

I couldn't tell whether he was an indian or what because he was quite a ways away. I was down there again this morning. Went down on Rodgers Road and caught 2 on a blue/silver spinner. I was one of the few that wasn't snagging. Even saw one guy with a Buzz Bomb. The guy with a buzz bomb didn't get anything and I got 2 fishing legally with a spinner. It seems like the fresh fish that are coming up that low on the river bite good. I got lots of bites, but the single hook on a Blue Fox spinner doesn't seem to be a good hook. After I caught 2 there I went up above to the 101 bridge. About a 3-4 minute walk downstream there is a nice big hole that was absolutely loaded with silvers. I accidentally foul hooked quite a few. With the barbless hook you could give them some slack and lots of times the hook would come out. The guy next to me was actually trying to get the fish to bite and he had better luck than I did with a #3 brass blue fox spinner. I ended up with 4 nice fish. The smallest was probably 5lbs and I got one nice buck about 12lbs. The smoker will be going for awhile .

~ Dr Pepper

[ 08-24-2001: Message edited by: Dr Pepper ]

Fished above Rodgers St for 3 keepers this afternoon. The incoming tide brought in just a huge continuous stream of fresh fish. Rivers dropping low and clear. Got to fish with Joe from Vision Hooks. Joe if you read this it was a pleasure meeting you and Tyler. I owe you for the new secret weapon for Quilcene silvers. After your demonstration of just how really sharp your hooks are I'm a convert. Ouch that looks like it hurt! Hold me a spot if your there early sunday.

goose,

That's good to hear. Some dude came up to 101 from Rodgers Rd. yesterday AM and said there wasn't much happening down there, but they were thick in the upper end. I was thinking they might taper off, but it sounds like more are heading in, just following the tide now.

Thay Tyler kid is a pretty repectable little angler, isn't he? Joe is training him well, I figure he'll be a major threat to the fish in the near future!

I don't quite get all the snagging going on.....they aren't that hard to fair hook with a little effort (and a spinner :D). These guys are just admitting they have ZERO angling skills......they'd better stick to a trout farm.

You're a lucky man living that close to the Quil., goose. I might have to set up residence there if I lived as close as you....you must be a happy man this time of year!

[ 08-25-2001: Message edited by: Dan S. ]

I hit the Quilcene today for about 4 hours. I was fishing about 300 yards below the 101 bridge. The river is completely loaded with silvers and most of them are still very bright. Literally couldn't see the bottom of the river in some places...

Caught almost all of my fish on marabou leeches dead-drifted or quickly stripped in.

It is crowded however and snaggers are out in full force, and not hiding it.
So be prepared for the madness....

Here's the scoop on where and when. Hit the upper river in the mornings through mid-day if you don't mind bringing your own rock. Fresh fish are pouring in on the late afternoon tide and by mornin they are all stacked up high. Morning thru midday is real spotty down low. In between is the big corner hole which is filled with sh t
loads of bright fish and half the town of Quilcene busting them with some really innovative gear.
I've been fishing a spot that even today I had pretty much to myself. About 5pm they just start blastin upstream and you get a feel for what the runs are like up in Alaska.
Spinners if you like but now that we have discovered the new secret weapon now its only a matter of making my one and only package of ***** yarn last until I get to the big town for more. I don't about up high but we were getting pounded by large fish up to 14 lbs right at dark. Had one just smoke the hide off my thumb headin back to the salt and walk right through 15 lb test on its way. Just love it.

Wife and I hit the Quilcene creek, er i mean River Friday and Saturday.
The snaggers at Rodgers road disgusted the hell out of me so we were there for about 20 minutes or so and ran up to town, called 911 gave them my info and headed up to the 101 bridge.
Walked downstream a ways, found ourselves each a rock to stand on, didn't even have to bring our own.
We got 2 on friday and 3 on saturday. All legally hooked I might add.
Man, there's a ton of chums in there. Brought a 13 pounder in on my Shimano noodle rod with 8 pound line. That was a kick.
Wife caught her first salmon now. Got her hooked. Now she understands why I live for this time of year. Out of the blue on the way home she says "I'm hooked" Couldn't figure out what she was talking about at first. LOL.
Got me a new partner for the streams now. She'd go before, but really wasn't into. Got a feeling that will change now.

BTW, got all of ours on silver and brass blue fox spinners.

I thought I would be smart and get away from all the crowds and fish the bay on Saturday. I figured there was no way all the fish went up the river with one rain right? Wrong, about thirty people out on the bay and heard of one fish caught all day. Did manage 9 big crab though in three hours. Maybe if we do not get anymore rain for a while, they will start to build in there again.

NEN

Sinker good for you. I've gotta agree..unlike last year I have seen zero enforcement in four days on the lower river. Nine out of ten fish down there are comin in tail first or sideways. It was bad last year but not like this..at least they were writing enough tickets to makem nervous.
I'll be calling the local patrol officer Monday too see what the problem is. Most of these guys don't crowd me as they know I will politely inform them that there is open spots well above or below me. The more difficult ones receive a demonstration of the Humptulips Helicopter Cast...4 oz. pyramid I always pack with me for those special moments...whirring noise apparently makes some people nervous. Anyway the lower river is going to rotate into a morning fishery for those big boys on the incoming tide plus we might get rain to deepen the slots down there back into holding water. Right now they just blast on through. As much as I dislike dealing with dogs I'll be hitting the upper river for now.
Maybe a few days of less fresh fish will let the skin grow back on my right thumb. Had another little piggy crank on the afterburners first cast today....but this one is soaking in soy sauce and brown sugar right now so almost everything is right in my world.

I heard rumor that someone on friday got a $500 ticket for using a treble hook. But it was just a rumor.
I've got a feeling they might be turning and looking the other way considering how many fish are in that creek...er I mean river.
Down on the carbon the amount of snagging is sickening, but the hatchery always gets plenty and you never see any enforcement.
The thing with the carbon is that I've never seen people like those Quilbillies casting out and just jerking it back in with everything they have on the carbon.
See a lot of illegally hooked fish being bonked, but nothing like what I seen over there.
Waiting for my call from enforcement to see if they did anything. Gave them all my info, so now I guess I wait.
Heading back up there on Friday, if nothing else heats up in the meantime.
How long do you think this silver run will last?? The rivers around here don't start to see silvers for another month or so.
Is this an indicator of a huge long run or just a very early run??????

Spoke with our local enforcement officer today and he is well aware of the problems. He will be writing copious tickets on the Quil. Snagging is a $500 fine. Closed waters is $125. He has promised no mercy! On a similar note there are socalled sportsman prosecuting the local wild Humpy and listed Chum runs under the disguise of fishing for trout. They readily admit to targeting these salmon with the excuse that they are practicing CNR. These stocks are in trouble and handling mortality even if minute isn't going to help. Also these fish only have so energy reserves to compete for spawning territory and mates....every time you hook, play and release a fish you may be turning that fish into non-contributor to the next generation. Essentially this equals a harvested fish.
If you want to CNR then please direct your attentions to Steelies and hatchery salmon.

Back to the Quil on thursday after work...there's another fresh batch jumpin in the bay.
Hooyah!!!

Goose,
It was great meeting you as well, I have been having a great time teaching Tyler,Zack, and My Zach how to fish. The younger ones get a little abusive on the gear sometimes, but hey there allstar rods so there is no problem with the warranty process. anyways we all limited out so it was all good. By the way I am sure you know Brady, anyways I met him last friday and we fished together, another great guy from over there, anyways he will be stocking the Vision products and maybe allstar as well in the Cove RV park store, good luck and e-mail me and we can hook up over there sometime.
peace Superfly

The nets went in this week so mostly all we are seeing are small fish. The flyfisherman at the mouth are limiting like crazy. Looks like all the other action is in the upper river. Enforcement has put the hurt on the snaggers and it shows especially in the lower river....at least they're lookin over their shoulders now. Fish jumpin all over the bay so it's going to continue. Need rain of any kind please to make this heat up

Goose,
How long do you think this run will last?
We were up there 8-31, fish are alot smaller and darker than last week.
Last week they were all nice and bright. Today had to pick and choose which ones to turn loose there was so many dark ones.
My theory on the upper river small fish was when there was more fish in it, people were more picky and were only keeping the bigger ones. Leaving us small ones now. Those ones today look like they've been in there a while.
Oh yeah, the bigger ones are a bigger bullseye for the snaggers too probly.

A buddy of mine fished the Quilcene this past week, he said he saw one guy get two tickets totalling $1000.00 (for keeping a snagged fish and for using a barbed hook) then about an hour later on a different part of the river, he saw ANOTHER guy get the same thing... $1,000.00 worth of tickets... it sounded like the warden had some helpful eyes running up & down the river. At least the word of this will keep them looking over their shoulders...

He also said the fish were small... any idea on when/if the nets will come out?

-N.

That friggin' Quilcene is the biggest damn joke of a river I've ever seen. Sure there's fish there and all, but 99% of the people I see fishing (note that I said "people" not fisherman) are snagging away and pulling the fish in sideways or by the tail and then keeping them as if they did nothing wrong. I have been there 3 separate days since it opened and I have yet to see a warden. I've never seen such blatant snagging anywhere and I fish all over the state.

Here is the best part:

Last night on the way home from fishing the Quilcene we saw a beater old car with a sign on it that read "FRESH SALMON $1.00 A POUND". It was right in downtown Quilcene and it was a coulpe of white(trash) kids that looked to be in their late teens or early twenties. How legal is that? About as legal as the fish being caught down there at Rodger's St.

Dan S and Superfly if you weren't fishin the lower river between 1 to 5 pm today here's what you missed .
And I thought the BIG run had already come in! Superfly if we don't hookup stake your claim on the alder log & rootwad pile just above where we fished...it's the best holdin water and usely left alone by the snaggers. Lots of small fish but enough piggys to make you wish you'd brought more gear and a new spool of line . Thoroughly ruined the first hundred feet of my line and took me down to my last hook. As for the river being a joke...I'm havin a blast hookin fish legal and from what I've seen on all of these rivers in western Washington the past 30 years jerk snaggers, jerks, fools and plain stupidity is nothing new. I even took the time to show a couple of snaggers how and why I was bustin more fish than they were. Converts? Don't know and don't care because I had fun and they learned the fun way to nail silvers.
Always FishOn
Gooose

Cut it out goose, you're killing me!

I gotta agree with you. You may be in a war zone at the Quilcene, but find a good piece of water, stick with it, and you can have you own little slice of heaven right there.

Sure, watching people snag when you don't have to is aggravating, but if WDFW really cared, they'd be there. It could be a regular cash cow for them, but with few enforcement personnel, the quota met, and bazillions of fish coming back, I think they decided their limited resources could be better used elsewhere.

Glad you're having fun, goose.

Hey Guys,

I thought you could not fish the mouth of the quilcene? Thinking about heading out Wenesday after the rain we are supposed to be having so hopefully some bright fish will be avail. Will be packing the fly rod so I was intrigued by Goose' comments about the fly guys limiting at the mouth. Hope to see some legal gear guys doing thier thing as I have been interested in how you guys target river coho.

Anyway thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

-sean

I grew up in that general area and my dad and I fished the Big Quil when I was a little Kid. I havent been there since it has become a madhouse really I havent fished it for silvers since I was about 6 years old. I have fished it for steelhead a couple of times in the past few years and managed a couple of hatchery strays.

My point is this Quilicine river thing is a joke. These silvers are very good biters from what I remember but that little river cant handle much presure. It yousto be just a few locals I cant imagine what it looks like now. Even though its only 15 minutes from my parents house you wouldnt catch me or my dad there in a thousand years.

Egg it's legal to fish the salt beyond the river mouth. Make sure you understand the reg's definition of a river mouth...page 12. I draw a line between the outermost uplands containing obvious dryland vegetation. The guys out there are pretty savvy so follow their lead. Think small even down to size 10 in pink,purple or black.LOL
Dan S did you ever have one of those moments(several hours actually) where your entire fishin world was nothing more than a tiny 20 square feet piece of water? Nothing else
!? Even the Quilcene snagger zoo disappeared from my world. They just weren't there anymore...just me, my rod, and that dammed tiny piece of water. And more fresh from the salt silvers than I've ever seen in such a tiny space. Sorry to Rich G and the Kid but I'll take moments like that any time and place I can get them. It really takes a lot to unnerve me to the point where rerigging another leader...and gawd almighty there was a painful lot of them...is affected by shaking hands and fingers that don't work anymore. Sorry to rub it in Dan S . By the way how the heck can I get a 1025c...real soon?! My Lami lost its ceramic insert on the first guide by the time this was all over . And I suspect I overstressed the butt section at it's base.

Enforcement in all of east Jeff Co is one guy to cover the Quilcene, Little Quilcene, Dosewallips, Duckabush, Hamma Hamma plus Pt. Wilson, Marrowstone Island and everything else in the area thats hot now. He's been nailing the heck out of the snaggers on the Quil but he's all by himself. The interesting thing is that the tickets he's writing have addresses like Bainbridge, Bremerton, Poulsbo, Port Angeles, Olympia, Tacoma,Seattle and mainly other non Quilcene locations. Yeah there's a large Quil bunch but from my talking with this officer the huge majority of violaters are nonlocal. Is this representative of our recreational sportfishing community(I am not referring to members of this BB)? Quite a few of the snaggers are wearing top of the line neoprenes, fancy vests, packin better rods/reels than most, you know the well equiped sportsman. One group was talkin about fishin for steelies on the Quinalt. Would they never consider snagging or keeping a foul hooked Head? Makes me wonder.
Anyway peace to you all. I am back to my little bit of nirvana about noon tomorrow.
HooYah!!!!
Always FishOn!
Gooose

Sinker I got a call last night that upper Hood Canal was loaded with fresh fish heading south. The area around the Salisbury boat ramp was really producing...even from the bank. My contacts fishing in the salt in Quil Bay tell me it's just loaded. Looks like small trolled or mooched cutplug is the going ticket.
Looks like a bigger and better repeat of last year where we had fish clear through the end of October.

River dropped again making life tough in the lower river. One excellent burst of fish around 6pm. Hooked into a bunch of FishOn! Dam FishOff! Kept a pair of nice hens then released the third..a dink..girlfriend always gives me a bad time about this...seems to consistently affect my ability to land fish. Anyway half way through this I'd converted a half dozen snaggers to fishing black yarn...one guy told me I was just havin too much fun. Plus my converts from the other day showed up with black yarn...one guy drove an hour that morning just to find some. There's a definite lighting affect on the success of my use of this color...7pm I couldn't touch a fish. Thinking of trying blue,purple or violet....any of you got experiences or ideas that might be useful? Had to politely get nasty with a couple of yahoos but Guys in the upper river should have slayed them with the horde that came in yesterday.
My old Lamiglass is now retired to memory corner with a couple of worn out shotguns...
In lieu of getting my hands on an Allstar 1025c I picked uo a nice Shimano from my homestore the Cove RV Park...not bad. Still want the Allstar before winter steelie season.
Always FishOn!
Gooose

I think those Quil Slivers might take the Pink Worm well. Has anybody tried it? Ive incorporated the Pink Worm in my sliver fishin on the Duc the last few weeks and have done well. they smack it like a ton of bricks.

Rich G That's one heck of a good idea!!! I just read Reel Truths column in STS about worms....there's some new territory to explore here. My bass gear is going to suffer before daylight. Pink, purple and black worms are Gooose's research project for tommorrows fish. Thanks for the response...be nice to suprise the snagger regulars with Gooose's new top secret!
They are already trying to come to terms with how it is easier to catch fish legal with black yarn....can't wait to see what something totally off the wall does to these guys. Gawd there's probably no worms of any kind for sale within 50 miles of this place...might be able to make a little beer money with my extras.
Always FishOn!
Gooose

The moving Slivers seem to like the worm best. A worm drifted or on a Jig head would most likely do fine on the Quil slivers since they are a bit more agressive than most river Slivers. On the Duc they wont touch a plain worm, they seem to have to give chase in order to bite, I use the worm as the dressing on another customized lure that I cannot disclose at this time.

Try everything you can think of with the worm, you might be suprised what works. Use the Power bait bublegum!

Rich G thanks for the advice. Superfly gave me some pink works this afternoon on the river. Will be trying them as soon as we get some rain....until then I'll find somewhere else to fish. In this low water the dogs are nearly intolerable...Superfly can testify that I had the new state record meanest bull doggy sitting in the middle of my favorite fishin hole. Looked like a battleship with a bunch of normal sized puppies all around him....and he really loved my precious black yarn. We got a little taste of mass silvers comin in right after SF yelled up river to ask when I thought they would be comin in? I know SF was a tad upset by the freakin snaggers...thats why I stayed in my own little fortress. Good hour or so of FishOn!Dam FishOff! Popped leaders and even broke some hooks...and Bass fisherman talk about fishin structure!!!
Had the biggest chrome hen silver I've ever seen on the bank only to give her the briefest slack then it was Round II which I lost to a TKO...pop goes another 15 lb leader.
Please let it rain but not until next thursday.

Always FishOn! (and a lot of FishOff!)
Gooose

Cove Rv Park & Fishin Tackle Prostaff

Gooose, you mentioned broken hooks, what were you using? if you were fishin with SF I can probably guess what they were. just wondering.

AK they weren't Vision if that's what your talkin ...they were Eagle Claw Lazer Sharps. Had the same problem years ago on the Humptulips. Those Kings were shreddin our Lazer Sharps. They simply won't hold up to the type of fish and water we're fishing.
I'll be giving the Vision products a thorough trial but from what I've seen they don't snap when that 15 lb plus chrome fresh out of the salt silver decides to hit the burners.

Always FishOn!
Gooose

Gooose, cool, just curious, I tried Visions a year or so ago and wasn't impressed (didn't break any, other reasons)I've had similar experiences with Lazers on the rare occassions I've used them.

Ak yeah cool! All of us have been in search of the perfect hook for our fishin...sort of the holy grail thing. I've not found mine and I suspect I'll never will. The Lazer Sharps are definitely on my list of bad experiences ...again. When you have the big piggy on the hook the last thing you'd expect is hook failure! I need a hook for brutal fish, with no river to let them run in, the whole fight is essentially a face to face fist fight amongst instream structure between me and some really bad silvers! Any ideas other than 5/0 trebles the locals use is appreciated.
Coho Challenged
Gooose

Goose,

Do you fish any of the hood canal drainages for the monster sea runs that start showing now? How bout the one salt wild summer steelies in some of those rivers? When I lived in bremerton I fished the Union river tons and caught some huge sea runs and some one salt summerruns that start showing in a week or so.

How does the Dosie fish for the wild summers these days?

Im not planning on going there Id just like to hear some good news.

A buddy and I fished the Quilcene Sunday afternoon, of the 50+ or so people we could see around us, only us two and one other guy were fishing legally. The rest of them were using about 6" of glow yarn and a weight on the end of their line... the classic cast & yank scenario.

Lots of fish moving up through there, some nice sized silvers, too. We managed to hook our limits legally in about 3 hours.

I was trying to run a little black and a little chartruese yarn at one point, kept hooking chums. Not sure if it was the black yarn or what.

What a circus.

-N.

Rich G sent you an e-mail on the SRC/SRS situation. The power bait worm is a good idea except for selective fishing gear waters. And I'd definitely not want to be out of compliance an inch on The Quil. One guy got nailed with 26 snagged fish plus other violations! His ticket was 26 snagged fish times $500 each plus change for the others. A bunch of other tickets in the $500 to $1300 range.
Still got a lot of snaggers but it looks like the regulars have disappeared or at least become a bit more careful. What we're getting now is newbies with their families from all over the state.
Storm'N with all the doggies throughout the river I wouldn't try anything green even a smidge unless your fishing a lucky spot with few if any dogs. I you were on the lower river Sunday afternoon that was probably me...you might have been just above me.
No more for me until we get serious rain plus I have to make a run to the big town for lead and black yarn.

Always FishOn!
Gooose

Goose, I don't know the place at all, we were there Monday afternoon, fished just up from Rodgers St, upstream of that guy's house with the big wall.

Come visit the new Swain's in Sequim, it's only maybe 40 minutes from Quilcene, and they have black yarn and lead, I bought some yarn there on Monday.

-N.

How in the world did he get nailed for 26 snagged fish?? Was he 22 over his limit or was he intentionally snagging them and releasing them??
Now if the fish cop was just sittin back watching him snag all these fish I have a problem with that. If the fish cop cared for the run he'd dtop him right away. If he sat back and watched him do it, then he wants some $$ for the state. That's the way I see it anyways.
Now if he was 22 over his limit, OUCH, that's another big bunch of $$.

I heard the other day that the hatchery isn't taking any more fish in. They're full up.

Sinker the hatchery was more than full several weeks ago. You have to realise that this is not a matter of the run being endangered...it's essentially 100% a hatchery run. So what you're seeing coming back is the result of the hatchery and not from any natural production. Some of these snaggers are likely doing it for money so my hat is off to any officer who lets them push the limit before writing them a ticket that will have an effect....and a ticket for $13,000 plus might just have some effect don't you think? From what I've seen lately the only way to at least slow down the snaggers on these hatchery combat fisheries is apply the harshest impact possible with the few officers available. I'd personally like to see the loss of fishin priveleges for some of the worst offenders, followed by jail or community service time if they don't get the clue. In the case of the Quil it is all a matter of ethics, respecting the resource, and obeying the law...protecting this particular run as a resource is not a primary concern. On the other hand if there were wild silvers in there your .02 cents would be right on. Peace. Anyway tackle bag is reloaded and I'm prayin for rain as there reports from the salt that this run ain't a bit over.

Always FishOn!
Gooose

Goose, I didn't mean to say that the river itself is a joke. It's actually a lot of fun to fish and a unique fishery. The people, however, are a joke with all the snaggers in there. I guess your used to the blatant snagging which I am getting used to over there as well. We have had some really fun days over there when we can get away from the crowds and snaggers. Good to hear that there is some enforcement showing up over there. They need it. Let's hope it rains soon and I'll see ya on the river

Justin

Kid
Thanks a bunch....I am just a little sensitive about my local rivers as they could be world class if given a chance. Several of my friends have asked me on the river how I can stand it? My reply is usually "well you know you just have too...ummph! FishOn! Sh!T! D@m! Piggy headin upstream under that d@m! log! Ohh nooo now its headin downstream and jumped across that d@m limb! Oh sh!t! Uhh Can I tell you later how I tolerate this crap?" Kid when that happens the snaggers all disappear into oblivion. But I understand where you're comin from too. Just so you know I grew up fishin the Humptulips and Satsop so I'm really thicked skinned to snaggers. I don't like them but am willing to tolerate around me them as long as they respect me as when I'm on the river I am only in search of that perfect fish moment again. Hey I've only fished the Sauk once years ago...the" Infamous Drag the Drift Boat thru The Ice Expedition!" Damm cold nothing would bite ...even the ones we visually fed plugs plus the bottle of Rum iced up....love to join uo with you for a trip this winter.

Recently Piscatorially Challenged!
Cove RV Park & Tackle Prostaff(1)

Always FishOn!
Gooose

Gooose,

I guess I must commend you on your ability to tune out all of the blatant carnage that goes on on our rivers during the fall salmon runs. I was at the Quilcene (Kill Scene) last Sat. As hard as I tried, I couldn't ignore the [Bleeeeep!] that was going on. There were fathers teaching there kids how to snag, and praising them for dragging in the fish. There were IDIOTS grabbing the chum, and throwing them up on the bank saying "I hate these damn things". I too have fished the Hump and the Satsop, and have witnessed alot of carnage there as well, but the Quilcene is in a league all by itself. I have trouble believing that a river the size of the ditch behind my house, that's maybe 2 ft. deep, crystal clear to where you can see all of the fish, could ever be considered "world class". Regardless of the TONS of fish that were in there, I left totally disgusted. I didn't see one game warden anywhere, and NOBODY seemed to care that what they were doing was completely illegal.

Again, this is not an insult to you, or the river itself, I just don't have the patience to tolerate that kind of situation.

Goose, glad I clarified that with you. Didn't mean to knock the river, just the people. I'm sure you are the opposite of most down there and Joe(Superfly) said you were great to fish with. I'm sure that Superfly and I will see you down there again this year and I'll try and let you know next time we head down there and maybe we can meet up and fish together. I'll tell you all about the Sauk too Let's hope it rains and they'll be coming

Wow, for me it is difficult to look at these amazing fish (chums) and feel anything but respect for them. Even if they aren't a "prized food fish", just what they represent.

I hear of all these tickets written but I also wonder how much of that is collected and how much is just waived.

4SALT the Quil by itself is not worldclass but if you notice I said "rivers." The Dosie and the Duck used to be tremendous winter steelie fisheries...I have a very honest local oldtimer friend who fished them in the glory years. His best year was 300+ no sh!t 300+ fish released in one season! His best day was 34 released! He won a $20 bet from some guy that he could catch a fish in 2 casts. The Dosie, Duck, Quil and even the little Quil were all tremendous fish producers at on time...steelies and silvers. The potential of these rivers to be a "world class" fishery is what I meant.
But I gotta agree with you and everyone else that the Quil is harsh on the soul of any honest fisherman. I am really lookin forward to other waters opening up. Justin I'll fish with you and Joe any time! Don't come this way unless you're really bored unless it rains then bring a team as it would be nice to saturate my favorite stretch with real fisherman. About six to seven would allow us to totally control the three best spots. Would be way cool! Right now I'm just doing CNR to get in the face of snaggers...gives them fits and I love it!

No Longer Piscatorially Challenged
Cove RV Park & Tackle Prostaff(1)
Always FishOn!
Gooose

Goose, The Quilcene, Dosewallips, Duckabush have sentimental value for me too. My dad took me over the bridge to fish these famed rivers a couple of times when I was 12 back in the mid 70's. Also used to hunt around Thorndike. I'm still kind of curious if these rivers still have winter or summer steelhead. Anyway I went back last fall when word spread about the large silver run. Even took my dad over. Anyway I snuck over there for an evening a couple of weeks ago and couldn't believe all the people and vehicles parked. I was only there two hours and must have seen 100 fish packed out. Went back a couple of days after that, with my boy, at high tide, and there wasn't as many people. I hooked a silver bullet(legally just orange yarn and a hook in the mouth), didn't have my drag set tight enough, took me under a log, jumped and broke off. Some kids came up and asked if I was snagging. I told them that they would bite orange yarn and gave them a piece. We really need to educate the kids on how to fish legally. I didn't notice as much snagging as last year but I wasn't there very long.I wish they would let us use bait. Maybe some people wouldn't be compelled to snag if they could use bait. Didn't come back with anything but it sure was fun. Hoping to back when we get some more rain.

Steelheadman good for you giving that kid a small bit of help. Had a kid come up to me and ask me what I was doing? Told him I was just having fun hooking them legal and then releasing them. His innocent reply was "Oh, your sportfishin." Told him that was the legal way to catch them and it wasn't hard to learn if he'd try. His next question was "snaggin not's legal?" This kid was totally innocent of the rules...he totally believed that it was the legal way to catch these fish! Something is definitely broke in the greater recreational sportfishin community and I'm saddened to see it.
Yes allowing us to use eggs would certainly make these fish more catchable(legally). Last time I used eggs on these fish fresh out of a hen they just when beserk on them.
Hey if you want to hit the Duck/Dosie for winter fish send me an e-mail. There's fish there...one spot is pretty much guaranteed hookups...it's just a matter of how fearless you are of heights, slippery rocks and whitewater . The Quil is real low but there is a late afternoon evening run and the fish are superb if you fish down low. Saw and was briefly attached to some real knobnosed bucks...one was hooked and lost on consecutive drifts. Not keepin any...not even serious about landin them...tends to disturb the snaggers.

Cove RV Park Prostaff(1)
Always FishOn!
Gooose

It seems to me that the percentage of snaggers on the Quil is enough to warrant closing the river altogether, at least in an average year, but there's yet another reason brewing.

The Jeff County Conservation District works with riparian landowners to revegetate stream banks for water quality, erosion control, etc. The District's been getting calls this season from irate landowners about the "animals" trashing their properties! Stomping down their plantings, littering with trash and fish guts
and even human waste!

I don't know if morons can be "educated" but if we don't try, we all lose!

Just got back from my first trip to the Quilcene, will be my last trip. What a joke. The "HOT" lure of the day was 6 inches of lead, with a 2/0 hook tied about 4 inches up. People here dont even try to hide the fact they are snagging. They race up and down the river, spotting silvers through the chums. Then they snag the target fish, bonk it on the head, and head to the next hole. Unreal. The water actually turned cloudy from the foot traffic. My question is: WHERE ARE THE GAMEYS???? They could have paid for their own salary in tickets today! anyway, had to try it, now I know.

ElkRun sorry I'll never meet you on the Quil.
Yeah it can be really disgusting in places. As thick skinned as I am it's really starting to piss me off. The real reason I'm saddened by righteous guys like you never coming back is that we'll never be able to put enough real fisherman on the river to make an impression on these idiots. Imagine a group of us taking over the best holes and teaching some lessons? Enforcement has been hitting this river with what little they have and knowing what they have it's been pretty dedicated....run into them nearly every evening on the way out...they've even had the state patrol in there.

Scaly, Jeff County has no control over fishing seasons. And I'm not seeing what your talkin about ,other than snaggin, to such a degree that would warrant closure. I am more than real familiar with this river and don't see any real significant damage to the riparian zone vegetation in the lower 2/3 of the river. There is a heavily used trail in the upper third(always has been) and a more lightly used trail in the lower third but after that your pretty much walkin on gravel. Not intending to put your ideas down but am just where your coming from? You're just are offended and want some reason to close this down? My experience in the public service arena is that a "rash" can sometimes be a very small number of individuals complaining. Haven't been on the upper river this season so I'll go take a peak...maybe you're right and I'm wrong. Peace.

Cove RV Park Prostaff(1)
Always FishOn!
Gooose

As many people as I seen on the upper river I was surprised how nice everything looks. It was hard to beleive there was that many people in and out of there.
As far as the lower river, everyone I've seen sticks to the gravel bars and haven't seen any "damage" to the riparian zones.
I'm sure the locals would love to shut this fishery down. Then they could sneak down and have it all to themselves.
It would be kind of unnerving to have that many people traipsing around that close to your home.

Gooose:
Sinker may have hit on the real motive (locals wanting it all to themselves), but it is a fact that landowners who were supposedly okay in the past with fishermen are now complaining to JCCD.

I've worked on many conservation projects with that agency, and Al Latham emailed me with this info, to see if I might write about it in the Pt Townsend-Jeffco Leader (I'm their outdoor writer). I may do that, but this thread seemed a good place to mention it too.

I know the county doesn't regulate fishing, but a conservation agency could have more sway than we do.

I'll forward JCCD's email to you for your evaluation. If you call Al, he might give you some landowner names, and would also consider your thoughts on the matter. Neither of us is trying to shut down the river! (Personally I now prefer the beach fishing. Haven't seen a snagger there yet!)

Peace

Scaly
Thanks...just got home to read your e-mail and sent you a reply. I don't think there's much that can be done this year and it looks like the upper river action is dead leaving only the mouth and the lower river. Beyond the snagging issue we need to find some solutions. I haven't been on the upper river due to the huge posse up there and as you probably already know those big piggies in the salt or fresh from it are just too much to resist. Now that I know who you are I don't doubt your opinion or word...hope I didn't imply that? There needs to be some discussion between us and these landowners...all the years I've lived here they've been very kind in allowing us access. You've got my number so let's try to get something going.
Peace

Goose is pretty worn out so simply
to everyone!

Seen it all but just heard this one!
Did any one see the guy above the HWY 101 bridge with the crab ringnet? Heard he had like 10 on the bank! I'm thinkin maybe a barb wire enclosure with a stupid poacher cam for the internet for people to look at(similar to the Eagle Cam). Gawd it only gets worse. Time for a change...I'm thinking a Ghillie Type paid position that is based at all of these snagfests ....the Quil alone would pay for several. Change the law so that all fishing violation ticket money goes into a specific dedicated state fund and hire retired Fish& Wildlife officers, state patrolmen, sheriff deputies, etc. for part time seasonal jobs and require that they hammer these idiots into oblivion. H%ll I'll volunteer!

Peace to all
Gooose

From my post in the "Snagging" thread on ifish:

It's time for some properly performed vigilante task anti-snagging groups. Since there's not enough money for officers and the state's legislatures lack the nads to raise the fines way up to pay for more enforcement and deterence, I think it's time we do something to clean it up - or we will be hurt in the short and long run! I have a good hunch that WA guys like 'Yall, Os, TM, and Superfly would help out with this - and surely other Oregon guys than Trick and I would be willing to help out. This would be relatively quite safe, and very ethical and beneficial, in my honest opinion. I'd even do it with a couple of appropriate guys and I'd volunteer to be the spokesman; but a half dozen guys would be better. Here is what I would say: "Hi guys. We are from the Brotherhood of Ethical Fisherman (or whatever). We've been alerted that there is a snagging problem on some rivers such as this one. We just would like to show you a better and legal way to catch these fish. We also want to alert you that game officers and volunteer anglers are going to be monitoring rivers this fall to stop illegal snagging. It's important in order to keep the rivers open and to keep our future fishing rights intact. Here are some flyers for you that you need to read, about the laws and potential upcoming situations. Any questions?" Or whatever it takes in the unlikely event that proper approach doesn't do the job! ... Joe, let me know if you guys want to do a little fishing and snagger thwarting on the Quil or wherever it's needed. I will meet you there ASAP. For the bigger snagfests such as at the Barrier dam on the Cowlitz, we should alert the gammies (who would likely show up to add credence), and we should have a couple dozen guys go in with a bullhorn and in so many words tell them the snagging party is over for the season. We could spread out (with whistles at hand) and fish along side them and help the 'mentally challenged' ones to release snagged fish. It's legal to arm yourself while fishing, if you feel it's warranted. I doubt very much that any violence would occur under these circumstances, and it would do some good!

RT

RT, you are wise beyond your years, all 31 of them

It would be cool if you came up to fish the Quil. We would have Fly, Gooose, Parker, Timberman and 'Yall. Be a helluva posse and we could help instruct proper methods to snaggers. I'll even be kind enough to hand out rigs(that don't have the pencil lead below the hook).

[ 09-11-2001: Message edited by: Kid Sauk ]

It's closer to 41 actually. Hey, you can't handle being up this late Justin! Are you up playing 'find the salami' again? ...

I'm in! Run a 'clean up' day idea by the other boys and let me know when you want to get the brooms out. Fly will tell you how much scum we got out of the Wind R. canyon. That crap came out on our backs in bags though. I don't think we need to go that far on the Quil. Do you? ...

Nah. But it's high time for some education on this river and let's get after it. We can show them how to fish (bring some rigs as you suggest), or we can send them home to mommy if they don't want to play fair. We can also have some fun fishing while we are at it. This weekend might be a good time? I'm fishing the NF with Keith on Thursday, so Wed. or Fri. won't be my best days to clean. And more dirt will be there on the weekend; where we can send a message heard far and wide. E-mail or call me if you get the guys ready for the weekend. - Steve

Thanks all of you ! But if it's some fishin you be wantin to go with the effort wait for the next rain first. That's when we'll get the next and likely last big shot of fish. Although I've never met him someone the size of TM wading the river would cutoff the stream flow...it's that bad :p . I'll be hittin it this weekend the tides indicate there may be a mid-day shot through evening of really nice fish to enjoy...just not a lot and not all together. BUT! this POSSE thing is one of the best ideas and really needs to be used as a pre-emptive measure. This year we have upcoming snag fisheries on the Dungeness, Satsop and Hump in my area of operations. Small groups of at least three and more like six or so may be the most effective depending on the river. On the Hump I'd put at least six guys on the Ledge Hole below the hatchery....samething for the Ranier Bar Hole. I'm thinkin promotional gear like caps and shirts declaring a "Snagger Free Zone." Gather at the spot early and be friendly but firm...snaggers are not tolerated but share the best with the real fisherman. Work this through the hole season and learn from it. Then really hit them right off the getgo next year....Aug. 16th we hit the Skok and Quil and just prosecute these guys followed by each and every snagfest as it opens. Anyway I'll be on the lower river around 9 or 10 saturday morn...can't guarantee the fishin action...at least we can clean up the river,do a little education and all meet and all meet to discuss face to face what we have to do. Geez even the snaggers have thinned out from what I can see due to the lack of water...there was only 10 guys at the lower sanag spots on Monday...didn't fish...just couldn't resist stoppin to see what the evening run was like.

Gooose

I think blaze orange ballcaps or vests with the "Snagger Free Zone" logo are in order, maybe a couple of signs... would be a hoot.

Let me know if this is really going to happen on the Quil, and I will definitely be there if it happens on the Dungeness.

-N.

STORMIN geez you must be readin my mind! That's one of the ideas I've written down for my forthcoming post on this issue. Workin on it right now as I'm a little crippled up from "chasin wock wabbits."
I am also thinkin of something like "Real Fisherman Don't Need To Snag." Or how about
"Snaggers are Poachers?" Even without rain I'll be on the river Sat and likely Sun. Don't know about the "in your face" style of dealing with this as I'm more prone to chasin fish first and using my individual style of educating. The "Possee" in your face type method is going to be necessary but I'd rather see this level of educating used carefully and selectively where it will have the most effect. My thought is that this would be when these snagfests are just beginning...and it would be a well planned out action. The second type of Possee is the one where a group just quietly take over a stretch of river and exclude snaggers from comin in and snaggin and educating those who are willing to learn. This type of action doen't need a whole lot of planning other than a group of guys deciding to get together and fish. This type of action is appropiate any time and would deliver the message of presence on the river of real fishermen. More my style. Hey if a bunch of you want to show up I'll be up at my favorite spot...Superfly knows where to look.
STORM'N have you been on the river since monday and have you heard any reports of fish comin up in the mornin. With the tides this wekend I'm thinkin it might be a little good even without rain. You can e-mail me if you don't want to post anything.

Chasin Wock Wabbits is Not For The Old!

Gooose

One of the most proficient Quillabilly snaggers had a letter to the editor of the Port Townsend Leader published today. He's advocating making snagging legal. As good as this guy is he and all of his relations and friends likely have freezers full of snagged fish. Check it out and reply... sorry due to my lack of proficieny at the old computer you'll have to do a search. This guy is claiming that letting these coho spawn are actually endangering the listed run of chums and that not harvesting them is a waste of resource. He use's words like research! As a professional ecologist I love all of the dead fish left in the river as it provides the lifeblood of the entire freshwater/saltwater ecosystem! This is what historically provided the driver for all the NW salmon runs. God loves the illitrate and uneducated! This guy claims that WDFW is catering to a few voices in not openng this river up to snagging! Time for all of us to make it clear that we are not the few. E-mail this paper! E-mail WDFW! Get active or lose the battle!

Always FishOn!
Gooose

Thanks, Aunty. There's a news article on the Quil snagging in the same issue, actually a front page story. If the link below doesn't work, go to www.ptleader.com. The site also has a mailing address for anyone wanting to write a letter to the editor.
http://www.ptleader.com/news/010912bigquilrivercohor182.htm

Thanks a huge bunch Aunty M! Alls we need now is the members of this BB to e-mail the heck out this paper! Please! Patrol hammered the crap out of them today but the idiots still kept it up. Problem is that they can't be everywhere. My post on snaggin is pretty much ready for tomorow. Not a big thing but a start.

Gooose

A couple of us are planning a little litter control on the Quil tomorrow and a little fishin. Snaggers are still present but not in the previously huge numbers. There are fish available...a mix of dark and chrome...and some are real large. Fishin partner nailed a nice chrome hen this evening and Gooose went 5 for 5 fishon and fishoff! Could have had one but thought it was foul hooked... turned out Gooose's eyes are getting old and he promptly pulled the hook out when he realized the black yarn was in the right spot . Anyway there was some action in the evening. Don't know what the mornin action will be so I might try jigs under a float out at the mouth as there's a bunch there.

If you come this way bring garbage bags.

Cove RV Park Prostaff(1)
Always FishOn!
Gooose