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Tokul Creek Report
King County, WA

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Details

02/03/2013
46° - 50°
Float Fishing
Steelhead
Fish Eggs
Hook & Bait
Morning
41° - 45°
02/04/2013
5
3865

Tokul creek just got a fantastic push of fish. We've been fish the creek, the eddy island is under water right now, if you can get the one spot that lets you fish the straight slot you'll catch some fish. The creek mouth has changed shape and the fish don't like the way the water swirls and so the hold on the straight slot that we fish from the island rather than at the closer channel to the creek like they used to. We did hook one on a plug, letting it push the fish toward the tailout on that seam, but the majority of the action has been coming from the creek.

All of the usual holes are holding fish, and ther pressure has been fairly light bby Tokul Creek standards. Although the best time to fish is when their are plenty of anglers fishing to keep the fish moving around. We have been hooking the fish with a float and eggs, and we've been hooking a lot more fish than those choosing to drift the yarn and short leader typical of Tokul. And by a lot more fish, I mean our hookup ration compared to the rest of the crowd is 5:1, so if you've been a regular drift fishermen at Tokul, give a float and eggs a good shot and you won't be disappointed.

The fish are chrome bright, although some of the hens have been dropping their eggs and ready to spawn. Bring your heavier tackle, 15 pound test is going to allow you to put the pressure on the fish you need to to keep the fish in your hole, rather than chasing them downstream. We have also hooked fish on a nymphed bead pattern under an indicator, little buggy imitations and a small jig under a float. Anything that looks different than the yarn that everyone else has been using will give you an advantage.

Nate Treat Fishing
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Comments

Brat Bonker
2/4/2013 11:52:00 AM
bobber dogging eggs or with a cheater weight?
BentRod
2/4/2013 2:30:00 PM
Nice work Nate. Certainly didn't see anything going on down around the eddy or Cable hole on Sunday morning.
@Brat, don't know Nate's method, but anti-snagging rules in effect for Tokul, so need at least a 12" leader below any added weight. FWIW.
Brat Bonker
2/4/2013 3:41:00 PM
@bent rod that rule applies to drift fishing under a bobber it does not matter becuase it is a bobber is a float device so you could use a float and cheater bait wt in anti snagging places.
BentRod
2/4/2013 4:01:00 PM
@Brat, well, maybe I'm misunderstanding your idea of a cheater weight under a float setup, but I am quite certain that a bobber does not qualify as a "buoyant lure" such as stated under the anti-snagging definition. So, unless I'm completely misunderstanding you, for which I apologize if I am, a cheater weight (or weight of any type) cannot legally be added to the line within 12" above or anywhere below the hook whether you're using a bobber or not.
Brat Bonker
2/4/2013 6:36:00 PM
@bentrod are you sure because then you can not use jigs and float either there. I can see bobber dogging a cheater wt being illegal but like replacing a jig with eggs and a bait wt would be legal because a bobber is considered a float device. I can't remember but I think during the summer at the cowlitz that rule is in evect at barrier dam but I rig my eggs & bait wt or a jig under a float and game wardens don't care and in those cases the wt is less than quarter of an inch from the hook.
BentRod
2/4/2013 7:30:00 PM
@Brat, Yes, I'm 99.9% certain, but calling WDFW is the way to get the best answer. This rule was a bone of contention on the Duwamish this last salmon season and discussed in detail on more than one fishing forum. A few people called the WDFW and got one answer only to be told something different by a warden on the river. However, as I remember, it was finally determined that since a jig head has the lead molded to the hook, it's considered part of the lure and therefore not considered "added weight". As for a cheater bait weight under a float, any WDFW who has a clue knows that you're not likely to be snagging fish while fishing under a float, so many probably don't knitpick, but if you ran into the wrong officer it's something they could technically cite you for I'm sure. Since it's a new rule there was (and still is) a lot of confusion as to it's definition. If you call the WDFW please let us know what they tell you. Tight lines.
natetreat
2/4/2013 8:39:00 PM
Bobber doggin is where it's at. This is an interesting discussion, we should move it to the forum though. The bait weights could be considered a lure, since they're colored up. But yea, I wouldn't use it until there is clarification.
tele_maniac
2/4/2013 9:15:00 PM
Nice fish Nate!! Thanks for the details.
zefsidefishing
2/5/2013 2:03:00 AM
atta' boy nate, thats the spot on tokul, bummed i havent had time to head out lately, but i love reading your posts, your an amazing person, and fisherman, hope to see you out someady!
Anonymous
2/5/2013 6:25:00 AM
Never got the Tokul Creek thing. Standing at the Hatchery yarding out Fish just does'nt do it for me. Nice looking Hatchery Fish though.
Brat Bonker
2/5/2013 7:11:00 AM
My thing with the bait wt is that since it is under a floating device ie a bobber, it is pretty hard to snag anything like that not too mention you are using bait and I don't think this rule is new just a new name I think it used to be called non bouyant lure restriction or something like that.
On another note I have never been to tokul but looks like fun, I like small river fishing because there are no boats to compete with. Nice fish btw nate.
123
2/6/2013 5:04:00 PM
I have braid line and was wondering how I should set up for this weekends trip to tokul, any tips on how to set up and what type of bait I need.
jd39
2/6/2013 8:57:00 PM
Nice fish Nate!
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Captain Dave's Guide Service

Phone: (509) 939-6727