Hey guys, I dont post here alot cause i am from Oregon. But I will soon be a Vancouver, WA resident.

Anyway, I have a friend of a friend who has invited a group of people up to his house to camp in Shelton, WA.

Well I talked with the owner of the house and asked him what gear to bring. He is kind of new to the area. So he really doesnt know. If someone would be willing to share some info on what i can do with my boat up there as far as fishing goes I would greatly appreciate it. And if you ever get to ORegon and need the skinny let me know.

Also I am getting conflictin reports if crabbing is open there. From what i understand this is the Hood Canal Area? The owner says open but a couple aquantances say closed next weekend. I have looked in the regs but could not find as of yet.

Thanks all!

does he live on oakland bay? for that one i'm not really sure. the only fishable numbers of salmon will be there in september and october, and they're just chums. most fish around the mouth of johns creek.

you got some nice trout lakes out that way.
Yes crabbing is done in Hood Canal but will not be open 'til July 4th.
AREA 13 saltwater will not be open 'til June 18th on the other side of town.
Hit some local lakes and you'll score nice planted rainbows fore-sure.
Just look up some lakes, drive there early, launch boat and troll spoons and you're on fish.
yeah like chum man said the chum run is not even heating up yet. those fish are way out in the deep blue still.

The Canal will not be open 'til July for salmon and crab. South Sound is open for salmon, however it is slow.

Barbless hooks required.

Hans

Not a lot going on right now. Catch and release for sea-run cutts. Light rod, fly or gear. Small spinners and spoons fished close to shore. Crab opens 6/18, mostly a red rock show. A few dungees if you know where to look. If you like steamer clams and oysters, you are in luck. Go to the public beach map on the WDFW site.

Watch your depth in Hammersley Inlet.

Check out the sea run fishing it can be a blast. It is what I grew up on and absolutely love it. It is all c n r so gear up accordingly. I have hade good luck with chartruse wooly buggers or other things in this color. You can also c n r some nice resident coho if you are lucky. Find out if your buddy owns his tidelands before you go out. If he doesn't and it is a commercial beach just stay to the upper beach and DON't walk on any oyster beds. I grew up in Shelton so if you have any specific questions shoot me an e-mail or pm

Thank you for the insights everybody!

If anybody knows of a baitshop or sporting goods store to talk with and buy stuff from please post or pm me.

And the area i found out was closed for crabbing. I think it is either area 11 or 13.

I may just try salmon first and then the trout for the family.

Verle's Sporting Goods. It's right there by the exit to Shelton.

Got the pleasure of meeting one of your friends today. He is a Mitchell on Demand Rep. He showed me the pictures of the halibut you guys caught. There really isn't much going on fishing wise. Where abouts are you camping?

Have fun with the trout just be sure your kids are ok with letting the fish they catch go.

Thank you for all the help lot of nice people here. I hope to post some pics when i get back. I will be headed there on Friday and hopefully fish the evening bite and sat and maybe sunday if it is good. Looks like we will try for blackmouth chinook and coho. Sounds like you can catch some they just are small. I will be running small spinners, flashers, hootchies, roto killer anchovy setups. Not sure what depth, but planning on bananna sinkers and a couple downriggers and asking for help on the water. Who knows i may fall in love with the area and decide i need to retire there as I will be a Washintonian before the summer is over.

Fish 4 brains- I called Verles and they helped me alot. Thank you!

Chrome 4 fish- Thanks for giving Dustin a heads up, I will be camping at a friend of a friends house In Shelton, WA. Sounds like a nice place to retire.

Jr32, -Thanks for the heads up, now from my understanding of the regs you can keep trout in lakes but must release in the salt? Or even freshwater trout must be released in lakes? Anyway it looks like we will concentrate our efforts on coho and blackmouth.

Thats basically it, some lakes have special rules...