I have been stationed here in Everett, WA aboard one of the navies finest warships the USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72 since May of 97. Since I was in the gulf babysitting Sadam last Salmon season this is my first season.
I was raised on the East Coast and this is my first time being stationed on the West Coast. This salmon /steelhead fishing is a little different than fishing for walleye, bass, or pike. I came here with visions of large steelhead and salmon filling my freezer and a nice salmon to put above my fireplace when I retire. Please don't get me wrong, I do practice catch and release.
Well my first surprise was the Washington state fishing regulations book. I had to study at least half an hour before each trip to make sure I was in full compliance. This first required looking up the stretch of water in my gazateer and finding this bridge or that stream. What is this non boyant lure restriction? Night closure? (some of my best fishing on the East Coast was done after dark) You mean I can't fish because the sun went down!
Then there was the problem of figuring out what to use. (I have only recently discovered this great web site) I bought every issue of Washington fishing and hunting news and read it thru several times. Use sand shrimp, eggs, corkies, spin'n glows, and what the heck is this plunking they keep talking about.
I was here for most of the last steelhead season (my first) and the result was a small hatchery steelhead and that was it all season. Of course it was a great learning experience and I am glad alot of what I learned can be applied on this my first salmon season. How am I doing so far? My first salmon a hatchery coho came off a charter boat out of Westport. That's right the same ones who do not support 696, that will be the last time I go on a charter out of there. My second was a nice 12lb silver from the Snohomish river that I caught on a #5 Chartruse and silver blue fox. The fish were everywhere but had a serious case of lockjaw, I was lucky. But now I had a severe case of SALMON FEVER!
I took some leave and packed my bags for the mighty Hoh river. I knew the fishing was going to be tough with low waters and nothing but clear sunny skys in the forcast. But my vacation days were scheduled in advance and I would just have to adapt to the conditions. Of course adapting meant spending more money on tackle. I need some dark aeroflys, black and red and might as well get some of these purple ones. Blue fox and mepps spinners in the toned down colors. I better put on some lighter line too.
I arrived at Cottonwood campground on Oct.19 in the afternoon and departed Friday Oct. 22 in the afternoon. As expected the skies were sunny and the days HOT! My results? Zip, nothing, zero! Of course I'll blame the conditions and now that I have returned I see the forcast is calling for five days of rain!
The Indians kept their nets in Wednesday. Why? Don't they have to take out their nets by noon on Tuesday? To bad 696 will not ban ALL nets! Sure, I know the Indians got shafted by our forefathers and they should be able to preserve their culture. BUT that was then and this is now, time for Uncle Sam to make some changes!
Well my fellow anglers I have gone on long enough and promise to keep my future notes much shorter. Since I am not an official resident of Washington State I will be unable to vote on November 2nd. make sure you exercise your right to vote! I have convinced some of my neighbors to vote YES on 696.
What do you mean I can't have any more days off! Don't you know it's going to rain all week!
Tight lines, EastCoast
[This message has been edited by EastCoast (edited 11-01-1999).]
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