I would like to try fishing for Samish Kings (have yet to catch a king and I'm a novice on rivers). I have already looked at reports from previous years on this board and they all just mention how bad the snagging is on the Samish. Does anyone have any info on how to fish it legally from shore? I'm planning on using an 8ft/spinning reel/20lb spiderwire setup. What works - eggs, sandshrimp, hardware, leader lengths, floats, weights, etc? Also, where is best to go (public land - and I don't mind a walk) - both for the fish and to get away from the snaggers? Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks.

--Bank Angler

Thanks, KingSalmon, I appreciate the help.

--Bank Angler

Try using a golf ball sized cluster of eggs with no weight. It has worked great for me in the past and it eliminates the problem of foul hooking fish. I generally just tie my leader straight to my line with a blood knot.

Was there 2 weeks ago, about 100 people fishin the first bend I only saw 1 fish landed and had no luck myself... supposedly its really picked up since then, just be prepared to combat fish... other than that I hope you catch a king

-tight lines and good luck

I Was up there yesterday. A few fish being caught. From what I saw where I was fishing and with the people walking down from up river, it is by no means hot. I did get one in the low 20's but I was one of the few lucky ones. And yes it was packed. The main thing is to understand that it is packed so get out of peoples way when they have a fish on and make sure you LET OTHERS KNOW when you hook a fish, if it is going up river/down river etc. That helps keep things from getting to crazy. Also, the people that own the property are nice enough to let us park and fish on their land. So PLEASE pack out any garbage and help keep the parking areas clean. They are not happy campers when their land becomes a dump and they have come close to closing it down in the past.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

Over 80 boats netting the bay one day last week. Netting has been heavy all along in Bellingham Bay, so fishing is way down. However, the hatchery got all its fish after the last big rain, so at least on one day there was fish. Most people I know have said the fish for the most part have been dark - not a lot of fresh ones.