Help a noob?

[Pappy]

Hey guys,
I moved here almost 2 years ago from the midwest. I suck at fishing, always have. But my 10 year old son is decent, maybe he got his talent from the mailman 

Anyways, it would seem a waste to be living here and not take a stab at it with all the amazing fisheries we have. Can anyone point me to a great source to learn about fishing for the different salmon runs here? I need all sorts of info from seasons, when and where to find them, and appropriate tackle. I don't have a boat, so will be fishing from shore.

thanks!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Save your money and take a trip to Alaska or Canada!

[chrisb]

Start with the WDFW website and download a copy of the regs... read them many times over b/c some of it is very confusing.

After that head down to the local tackle shop and see if they recommend anything close to you (sorry i know nothign about your area)

As far as tackle goes, on the rivers from the bank you can't go wrong with Dick Nite's IMO. Just make sure you know whether or not to use a barbless hook.... see point #1

[WSU]

There is a ton of good fishing here if you want to work at it.  I have 20 or 30 salmon days every year (kings and silvers, not humpies).  That said, there is nothing wrong with catching humpies if you are into that (sounds like you would be since you are new to salmon fishing). 

Just PM when you want to go and I will tell you the options I'm aware of.  I really like to help people that are new to the sport, especially if they are taking kids, and would like to help you succeed. 

As for salmon and steelhead, go get the book "Spoon fishing for steelhead" by Vedder.  Good tips on spoon fishing, but the real value is in the information regarding reading water, water temps, habitat, etc.  If you want to cure eggs, get the book written by Scott Haugen.  It should get you started, even if you choose to use a commercial cure.

[Button Nubbs]

Book a guided trip and ask lots of questions. Or hook up with someone who really knows how to do it listen and watch everything they do. There are a couple fishing forums too that have lots of info.

[Button Nubbs]

Just to add to what wsu said, bill herzogs color guide to drift fishing is a fantastic book.

Anyone who says there isn't good fishing here just dosent really know what they're doing.

[Mfowl]

Check out some other sites like ifish, gamefishin, and washington lakes. Use the search tool, sometimes open seats are posted. Check out your local tackle shop as well. If your shorebound, this summer is a pink year and you should have no trouble finding a spot to tie into a few of those. Also check out Salmonuniversity.com. Listen to Outdoor line on 710am and NWWildcountry on 950kjr on saturday mornings 6-8am. Good luck!

[Cap.Silver]

This year is Pink salmon year (every odd year they return in big numbers) ,so plan on lot of fish everywhere.
You can bank fish with your son for them ....just find a good river with easy access that holds the fish .We fish Puyallup river on the bank -it is mad house with lot of people ,but it's fun too . If you decide to go ,get some orange stuff now (yarn,corkies etc.) because by the time the fish starts to show up most of the supplies will be sold out ..... I got whole bunch of rods and reels .....if you need some for your kid . (they are used ,but free )
where are you at ? I'm in Renton /Newcastle off I-405

[Button Nubbs]

You mean pink stuff?

[Pappy]

Wow guys - thanks for the awesome info and fast responses! I'll try and respond a bit to each of ya...

Save your money and take a trip to Alaska or Canada!

Would love to sometime but it's out of the budget for now...

Start with the WDFW website and download a copy of the regs... read them many times over b/c some of it is very confusing.

That seems to be a theme with the WDFW

After that head down to the local tackle shop and see if they recommend anything close to you (sorry i know nothign about your area)

As far as tackle goes, on the rivers from the bank you can't go wrong with Dick Nite's IMO. Just make sure you know whether or not to use a barbless hook.... see point #1

Now I understand why those huge spoons are so prevalent in the tackle shops here... 

Just PM when you want to go and I will tell you the options I'm aware of.  I really like to help people that are new to the sport, especially if they are taking kids, and would like to help you succeed. 

Thanks for the offer to help! I'll reach out when we're geared up and ready to go.

As for salmon and steelhead, go get the book "Spoon fishing for steelhead" by Vedder.  Good tips on spoon fishing, but the real value is in the information regarding reading water, water temps, habitat, etc.  If you want to cure eggs, get the book written by Scott Haugen.  It should get you started, even if you choose to use a commercial cure.

Thanks I'll check that out

Just to add to what wsu said, bill herzogs color guide to drift fishing is a fantastic book.

Bonus: it's available at my library - thanks!

Check out some other sites like ifish, gamefishin, and washington lakes. Use the search tool, sometimes open seats are posted. Check out your local tackle shop as well. If your shorebound, this summer is a pink year and you should have no trouble finding a spot to tie into a few of those. Also check out Salmonuniversity.com. Listen to Outdoor line on 710am and NWWildcountry on 950kjr on saturday mornings 6-8am. Good luck!

Thanks I'll check those out. So, what time of year do the pinks run? I keep hearing that this is gonna be a big year (part of the reason I'm interested).

This year is Pink salmon year (every odd year they return in big numbers) ,so plan on lot of fish everywhere.
You can bank fish with your son for them ....just find a good river with easy access that holds the fish .We fish Puyallup river on the bank -it is mad house with lot of people ,but it's fun too . If you decide to go ,get some orange stuff now (yarn,corkies etc.) because by the time the fish starts to show up most of the supplies will be sold out ..... I got whole bunch of rods and reels .....if you need some for your kid . (they are used ,but free )
where are you at ? I'm in Renton /Newcastle off I-405

Thanks for the offer! I'm on Bainbridge Island, so not too far from you. Honestly, you lost me on the "get some orange stuff now (yarn, corkies, etc)" I assume you're not talking about knitting

I think where I'm really shaky is some of the details. For example, I assume a spinning rod is fine (I hope, I ain't got the bucks for fly tackle). How much do the salmon around here weigh? I have no idea what poundage to prep for. Are salmon line-shy (e.g. should I use flourocarbon like for trout? I've seen people fishing from points on the banks of the Puget Sound - is that better than hitting the rivers?

And how do I know which rivers are holding salmon? We have some little streams near me that empty into the sound - would they be holding?

What species of freshwater fish are on the west side that are good for getting after? I know there's lots of species, but just wondering what's good. Seems like mainly stocked trout.

[Mfowl]

The pinks will be in the sound starting in july, they become prevelant in the rivers by the end of july with august and the first half of september being the best time. It may take them a bit longer to show in the south sound as I am unfamiliar with those rivers. As in the name "pink"salmon the best color choice for lures is pink. Cast buzz bombs from the points of the sound if you are targeting them in the salt. I like to twitch jigs and pink hoochies on a jighead when I fish them in the rivers but a dick nite and corky/yarn combo bot work when drift fished. Spinning gear is great, I use a light action rod with 6-8lbthe test. I like a light jighead (1/8 or less.) Cast out and twitch back. Typical pink is in the 3-6lb range nut they often get bigger. If you keep them, bleed their gills and get them on ice quickly for the best tablefare. The best rivers close to you would be the Puyallup and the Green. In the Puy you stand a good chance at hooking a coho ot even a king later in the summer when fishing corky/yarn. Pm me if you have anymore questions, I might be able to que you in on some other fisheries in your area.

[Fish4Fun]

Another idea would be to look at Puget Sound Anglers, they have chapters all over. This is more than just a salmon fishing club, the members fish for everything. PSA, is one of, if not the biggest fishing organization in the state. I am, and have been for years a member of the Renton Chapter

[Pappy]

The pinks will be in the sound starting in july, they become prevelant in the rivers by the end of july with august and the first half of september being the best time. It may take them a bit longer to show in the south sound as I am unfamiliar with those rivers. As in the name "pink"salmon the best color choice for lures is pink. Cast buzz bombs from the points of the sound if you are targeting them in the salt. I like to twitch jigs and pink hoochies on a jighead when I fish them in the rivers but a dick nite and corky/yarn combo bot work when drift fished. Spinning gear is great, I use a light action rod with 6-8lbthe test. I like a light jighead (1/8 or less.) Cast out and twitch back. Typical pink is in the 3-6lb range nut they often get bigger. If you keep them, bleed their gills and get them on ice quickly for the best tablefare. The best rivers close to you would be the Puyallup and the Green. In the Puy you stand a good chance at hooking a coho ot even a king later in the summer when fishing corky/yarn. Pm me if you have anymore questions, I might be able to que you in on some other fisheries in your area.

That's some stellar info - thanks a ton!

Another idea would be to look at Puget Sound Anglers, they have chapters all over. This is more than just a salmon fishing club, the members fish for everything. PSA, is one of, if not the biggest fishing organization in the state. I am, and have been for years a member of the Renton Chapter

Thanks - I'll definitely check them out! I think some time on the shore with someone who knows what the hell they're doing would be a huge benefit. I have a real hard time with fishing cause I can't really visualize what I'm going after under the water... well, I can visualize a basket of Ivar's fish and chips while I'm fishing, but that's skipping a step or two 

Other questions:
--I noticed on the crabbing licenses that I still have sitting in my drawer from last year that the expiration date is the end of this month. Does that mean that there's a season to fishing licenses? As in I should wait till April 1 before buying a license?

--What is the recommendation around this part of the country for braid vs mono lines? In midwest, we had very weedy water, so braid was a godsend.