Hello,
I was just wondering if there was going to be a sokeye season this year (if it has been determined) and if so when? Also, are there adaquate accomadations for the number of boats or is it a combat fishing zone all day?
Thanks,
~matt

Hello, the rumor is there will be a Sockeye season this year. The WDFW will probably spring it on us like they did last year right around 4th of July weekend. Any case you missed last year it is combat fishing at it's finest on Saturday and Sunday. Just to give you an idea, when you are leaving the bar at 2 am thats the time you must go and get your boat and head to the launch and you might make it on to the water by day break. And you thought you had to get up early for Chinooks!
Stock up on red Gomakatsu hooks now before they are all gone.

Ah, my favorite fishery of all time (at least in the top three). I haven't heard anything yet. Last year the word was there was a chance for this year. I guess we'll know in about a month. If there is one, it will be crowded, but not what I would consider combat fishing. It's a big lake with room to spread out and the sockeye can be found all over. It's easy than fishing Possession Bar on a heavy tide with other boats all around you. That said, the biggest problem is definately the boat launches. I was fortunate because my wife would drive off with the trailer and return when I called her on the cell phone. So I would get married in a hurry and get that set up Matt.
Barring sudden marriage (and I think you might be kinda young), if the weathers nice I've put the in the boat in the evening, fished, and then anchored and fished in the morning. That worked really well. Your last option is to come two hours before daybreak so as to get in by 9am.
Cross your fingers!

Thanks Carl, your points are well taken. BTW, check pout last years reports archive for all the info you need to know to catch easy limits.

My five year old keeps on asking to back to the lake where it was dark! (We launched at 3am) Great fishery, but remember to put some stout leader on if you do go. I lost 4 fish on 20lb Stren, not to mention 4 red octopus hooks, until I switched over to some 50lb leaders. Something to do with the short leader and the resistence of the flasher, I guess? The boat launch situation reminds me of the Hood Canal shrimp fishery. I'll keep my fingers crossed!!!!!

I got curious about this fishery and called the folks at the Ballard locks. It appears that the official fish counts start today and that it will be a few weeks before they will be able to determine the run size. Last years' counts started on the 12th of June. Take a look at the Sockeye page on the wdfw website for last years' info. I printed mine just for referrence. Maybe Mike can get in touch with Stacie (sp?) from WDFW and have her give us some more insight on the issue, or Stacie, if you're out there.........Please let us know. Andy

THIS GUY'S NOT KIDDING ABOUT THE STOUT LEADERS! I STARTED OUT WITH 17LB. LEADERS AND LOST THE FIRST 7 STRIKES I GOT. LEADER SNAPPED! WENT TO 25 LB. AND BROKE EVERY OTHER ONE. FINALLY I FOUND SOME WIRE LEADERS I USE WHEN I TAKE THE KIDS DOG FISHING, AND SALVAGED THE DAY. AFTER THAT DAY, I WENT TO 50 LB. LEADERS ABOUT 10 INCHES LONG AND NEVER BROKE ANOTHER ONE. HOPE WE GET ANOTHER CHANCE AT 'EM AGAIN THIS YEAR.

Fish counts for the ballard locks have been posted on the WDFW website. This includes this years as well as 2000 fish counts. Check their main fishing page.

Hey Traut, do you have a brother with TCSO, (Paul).

Andy

YEAH ANDY, IT'S ME.

Just got off of the phone with your bro. He's trying to get me to hit the wynoochee. Take care. Andy

IS it that bad at ALL launch sights on Lk Washington??? Even the Slough??????

You either get there early and have some time to get your gear set up just right while waiting for the appointed hour, or you can have a stress filled time waiting in a long line while people who couldn't launch a boat quickly to save their life try to put their boat in the water after 5 tries at the ramp.

Option one might be a bit tiring because of the lack of sleep, but the you can always fold down the seat, anchor, and take a nap.

Option two sucks no matter how you look at it.

Some of the weekday fisheries are less busy, but then there are a lot of folks who get that "sockeye flu."

Hey, guys I thought I'd let ya in on a little semi-secret for the Lake WA sockeye fishery. If and when it opens as I'm keeping optomistic because I love to catch and eat 'em. Then again, doesn't everybody? I see a lot of you guys are using leaders in the 10" range and 50lb. leader? I fished sockeye in '96 and 2000 with 0 dodgers and 18" - 30" leaders and only had one day that we didn't get limits and that was because I had my kicker motor puke. You have to troll way too slow if you're using those short little 10-12" leaders. I troll about 1.5 knots and do just fine with the longer ones as you can cover more water and find the biters and the schools. Just my .02 but keep it in mind. Oh, yeah I also didn't break off any leaders and I was using 20lb. Ultragreen. Be sure to use Vision hooks instead of the Gammies . Peace

[ 06-19-2001: Message edited by: superfly ]

I also used my usual 15lb leaders and did fine. Just played with the drag. The only fish we lost were the ones that didn't hook themselves off the downrigger.
One thing I found out which may help with the insane crowds - the fish bite great in the evenings. So evening fishing will work as well. May even find some parking that way.

Thanks for the great tips all! I am taking notes. I am probably the only person who got
skunked the entire Sockeye season last year. I did not catch a single fish. How frustrating. I am planning on tearing it up this year though (WDFW permitting).

Superfly, I have to agree with you on the speed of the troll. We troll at a faster pace than everyone around us with really good results. The dead slow troll that everyone preaces doesn't put the right action on the dodger. We also sprayed our gear down with WD40. Don't know if this made things better, but it sure didn't hurt. We had a guy in our boat that spit all over his dodger to shine it up and got skunked!!
It may have been the alcohol residue from the night before that did it in for him!!
There's an idiot born every second! I stayed with the 9" leader made with 25lb Ande and never had a fish break me off. I also fished with my 9' med heavy steelhead rod and it was a blast!
As far as the season goes, everthing I've been hearing or reading indicates there will be a season. Also that the majority of the fish will be 5 year fish. Good luck to all and please be curtious to the other people on the lake. Remember that they are just trying to have fun too!!! Alot of people have their small children with them and things get pretty crazy when the bites on

Les Davis half and half "0" size dodger.16"
30lb ultra green leader to one red 3/0 gammi.
65'to 75' feet on the down rigger.Boated 72
last season.Good luck and cross those fingers
STRIKE ZONE

Looked hopeful according to today's Seattle Times Outdoor report. I'm also guessing it will be a short season based on the numbers they are projecting. (ie just enough to have a season). Maybe a 2-3 season? Got my hooks purchased today.