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Spurgeon Creek Report
Thurston County, WA

Details

02/02/2012
Float Fishing
Steelhead
Other
Black
Jig
Afternoon
02/02/2012
3
817

Let me tell you the facts about the Skookumchuck. People who go to the skook will tell you that fishing is awesome and everyone is killing the fish when in fact there will be two or three fish caugh all day by 40 or more people. They will tell you this so that you will spend money on gas and tackle and waste your time like they did. I know this because I know a few people who I watched all day catch NOTHING! and then post later on in fishing blogs that they killed them. Even if there were fish, the Skook is a tough river. If you can catch a steelie in the skook, then you can catch one anywhere. Realize that the average person who fishes the skook drinks all day and leaves as much garbage on the bank as is humanly possible. Do not believe these people! It is best to have a friend or trusted partner who lives close by walk the banks the day before and count the fish on the bank. it is strange that this happens on the Skookumchuck, but they can't get away with telling such stories on the Cowlitz. Anyone who says they have had a banner day on this river needs help (especially two or more days in a row). They need attention and a big hug to feel important. I caught one 12lb, the other day and felt blessed . . . that is the true skook . . . you know what I mean if you fish it regularly. I have yet to see a day where everyone is catching fish this year.


Comments

natetreat
2/3/2012 4:11:00 PM
Sometimes it's hot, sometimes it's not. Fish can show up and get caught in just a few hours. You just need to know the water and have the experience to get at 'em where they're likely to be. Success isn't just based on reports, or presence of mass amounts of fish, it's based on skill knowledge and experience. I am a big fan of the Skook, and I have above average results when I make the trip.
billyfishkill
2/3/2012 7:31:00 PM
Natetreat, great observation and info. My post was for the poor souls who are unfamiliar with this river. It kills me to see them down there struggling because they thought it was going to be fairly easy to catch a fish. I too have fished the Skookumchuck for many years and usually catch a fish or two, but it takes the skill and observation of all these years (as you said) to do it. Best advice to a newbie is bobber and jig with a pinch of shrimp right in the grass or root wads. These fish are usually where the bank drops off. what makes this double hard is the enormous pressure this little river gets. I noticed that in some deep holes, a nightcrawler on the bottom (no drift) does well -- like fishing for trout in lakes what do you think.
natetreat
2/4/2012 9:19:00 AM
There are a lot of fish in the Skook. I grew up in Centralia fishing it all the time. The trick is to put something stinky in there. When the water drops, you gotta fish all of the river, not just the top meat holes, fish stick in all the other holes waiting for more water to move. The water gets really colored up when water comes down and big and stinky wins the prize. Eggs work well, nightmare jigs with stink second. For Coho, jigs and shrimp and vibrax spinners work miracles. To have a really good day you have to cover lots of water, otherwise you're just waiting for fish to move it. These fish are usually not spooked at all, and have no idea that you're there with the colored up water. They get caught as soon as gear gets in front of there face. But the steel get BIG. a 15 pounder is not a once a year fish, it's a 1 in 4 chance. It takes a long time to learn the water, but once you do it's easy pickins.
bkawafishin
2/6/2012 1:59:00 PM
this is some great info. thanks for chiming in guys.
Ghanilorn666
2/12/2012 3:50:00 PM
Everything you guys have said is Very Very true! Ive lived in centralia all my life (22 years) and ive been fishing the skook for about 10, it is very difficult to catch fish in there if you dont know the river that well. Ive only caught 1 steelhead out of the skook the whole time ive been fishing it! Ive caught many salmon tho. Very good advice tho for the people who havent fished it much.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Washington Guide Services

Phone: (509) 881-9052