Northwest Fishing Reports

Mike Carey wrote:good question. On the one hand, having an inexperienced angler in shoulder to shoulder fishing can be a big problem. On the other, it is exciting for the young ones to see fish being caught left and right, although it isn't exactly getting back to nature, LOL.

How old is your son? How are his casting skills? If he can cast straight and learn the sequence as he watches it should be fine. But if he starts casting without regard to what the line is doing that could be trouble. Guys are generally cool but not when everyone starts getting tangled up.

Sometimes you can g to some of the combat zones and fish the edges and not be in the thick of things. There are some good spots north of hoodsport for example that have shore fishing without the craziness of the hatchery area. That could be a good start and give him a shot at a chum without being in the middle of a crowd.

Shad_Eating_Grin wrote:My solution to combat fishing:

Don't go there.

Or go during the weekday when the crowd is thinner.

Bisk1tSnGraV wrote:That is good information shared. My neighbor is wanting to get me out salmon fishing which I have never been and hearing all the stories about combat fishing it makes me a tad nervous even thinking out getting out there and giving it a try.

jens wrote:Yeah me too- I don't do well with crowds. I say next year we should get some beginners together and all go together??

racfish wrote:First of all ,the first thing is "nobody owns a river or a spot to fish".The thing I hate is when some Bozo says That this is my spot.The river is always first come first serve.Second is go with someone to help lock up your spot ifin you get there early enough.If you take your kid fishing for the sport and enjoy it then do it.Being kind and courteous is a two way thing.If taking a kid or even if you dont have alot of experience then try a quieter part of the river to learn techniques before mixing it up with the crowds.I stay away from snaggers and what I call the Eddie Baur crowd .Those are folks who know nothing of being respectfull to others.Usually they are the ultra rich.Hehehe.
Learn to fish the river on the off season then go back and knock them dead.Enjoyment is rule number 1.I doubt I'd take my kid to the Skok or the Samish on a first outing.

jens wrote:ok! let's see who else is afraid to go alone and start from there!! Or maybe also, an angler w/experience in combat could go with us as well??

GoingtoFish wrote:Does anyone remember the combat fishing on the Snoqualmie below the power house for summer run steelies? That was crazy! Shoulder to shoulder next to you, an 8ft deep x 12ft wide x 20ft long hole of churning water a foot in front of you and crazy rapids with jagged rocks right behind you. One slip or push by an angry angler and you’re gone. One of the most dangerous places I have ever fished and definitely not a place for children.
But once you had been there a few times and learned how to fish it, the regulars would treat you as one of them. It was a good hole when you were allowed to fish it. I limited every time. Due to the danger factor it has been closed off. I don’t think anyone has fished it for more than 12 years.

Fishin the Sky for dog's is a great place to get into the swing of things when combat fishing. There is a lot of room to spread out. And most of the folks there are nice and will be understanding when fishing the hot spots with newbie’s.
Definitely try the Sky with your son. I take my son as often as I can. Even though he has yet to hook into a chum he still has a great time and enjoys watching them jump. His casting still needs work and he will sometimes get tangled up with another angler. I just keep an eye on him and watch his every cast. As soon as I see that it is headin the wrong direction I jump in and help him out to avoid the inevitable tangle.
Another thing I suggest is to put yourself between him and the other fishermen. That way if he is going to get tangled up with someone it is with you. Stay off to the side of the croud and keep him further away until his casting capabilities get better.

I call my son the humpy slayer. The last couple Pink salmon runs he slayed them. That is how I got him hook on river fishing for salmon. Next year is going to be another big humpy year. So if you can't get your son out there this year (or don’t feel comfortable yet) then wait for the pinks. Don't worry about the crowds during this time. Most of them only fish when the run is in and allot of them are new to fishing or can’t get that casting thing down.
Fishing for pinks is one of the best teaching opportunities on the river. There are no “Hot” holes. The whole river is hot. Just throw a Pink spoon, white jig, or even a bobber with sand shrimp. Just about anywhere on the river will produce fish. This will provide a lot of practice and fun.

Tight Lines and have fun!

My first experience with Pinks was several years ago was at Hoodsport. And it was the best fishing I have ever experienced. I hate to admit the first time I fished Nisqually in September, I was using a Carolina-rig w/bullet weights and corky/yarn set up..I noticed some of the seasoned anglers look at me and I know they were biting their tongues to tell me there aren't any bass in here (:
I appreciate the info and maybe when those pinks come in next year you wouldn't mind my son and I taggin along??