Puyallup Pinks

[Ripper]

There always has to be one.............

[The Gobble-stopper]

It's certainly no secret and anyone who wants to floss up a million pinks should go for it.  I was just saying that there are many better options if you value the experience over just snagging a ton of fish.

So if I understand you post correctly,, people who fish the Puyallup are snagging and not fishing?

Hunterman(Tony)

Mostly, yes.  Do you think the fish see the corky in the water with zero inches of visibility?

Really? I have caught 100's of fish there, clear water, muddy water. And only one has been snagged. All others had the corky somewhere inside their mouth. And to set it straight, fish do not have to see with their eyes. They use a lateral line on their body to sense their dinner, pray, etc. So doesn't matter how muddy it is, they know what they are looking at, even without the ability to see. Just my two bits.

[The Gobble-stopper]

Here is the definition of lateral line, and how it works.
The lateral line is a system of sense organs found in aquatic vertebrates, mainly fish, used to detect movement and vibration in the surrounding water. The sensory ability is achieved via modified epithelial cells, known as hair cells, which respond to displacement caused by motion and transduce these signals into electrical impulses via excitatory synapses. Lateral lines serve an important role in schooling behavior, predation, and orientation. For example, fish can use their lateral line system to follow the vortices produced by fleeing prey. They are usually visible as faint lines running lengthwise down each side, from the vicinity of the gill covers to the base of the tail. In some species, the receptive organs of the lateral line have been modified to function as electroreceptors, which are organs used to detect electrical impulses, and as such these systems remain closely linked.  They use these senses to search for food even in murky waters

[Band]

I shouldn't wade in to the debate but what the heck.

My opinion is that Puyallup pinks are mostly flossed.  I think they get surprised by the hook a split second after they see that corkie hitting them in the (open) mouth.  But I still go out and fill my daily limit 3 or 4 times so I can smoke them and enjoy them for the next few months.  To me, this isn't really "skilled fishing" - it's a harvest fishery, and I'm OK with catching them this way when they are in abundance.  If there came a time when the numbers were dwindling I would be the first to say it's time to restrict the fishing method to manage the fishery.  But regardless of fish abundance I draw a line when it comes to purposely snagging a fish that can be seen or setting the hook throughout the drift in an attempt to snag whatever may be in the vicinity of the hook.  Just my personal opinion.

[Smossy]

Snagged, Flossed, Call it what you want. I don't care, as long as its in the mouth its legal. Everything else goes back in.  I could care less about all the haters, Ill see who has a full stomach of fish.

[The Gobble-stopper]

I have seen it before the people that call "snagging" the most are usually the people that do not know how to fish. Its reality! Fish do bite! Every two years I go to the Skagit. The 8 times out of 10 the river is muddy. We fish straight out of the boat, just weights and a lure. Bam the line  goes down and the fight is on. Half the time the lure is half way down its throat. Now how can that be considered flossing? Smossy, I agree with you, if it is snagged it goes back, if not it goes in my stomach!

[WSU]

Most fish on the Puyallup are flossed.  It's a fact. 

And, I think Band is correct.  It isn't a skilled fishery and people of all skill levels (or with no skill) can go and floss all the fish they want.  I agree with most on here that you should feel free to go catch/floss/snag/whatever you want to call it all the humpies you want as long as you retain fish only fish legally hooked.  If that's what you're into, go have fun and enjoy your catch!

[Band]

I agree with most on here that you should feel free to go catch/floss/snag/whatever you want to call it all the humpies you want as long as you retain fish only fish legally hooked.  If that's what you're into, go have fun and enjoy your catch!

I have to be honest, the word "fun", usually associated with fishing, is not part of my vocabulary for the Puyallup River pink fishery.  The quicker I can catch my limit and get out of the madness, the better.  Even when I don't get a limit I can only stand 2-3 hours at a time.

I guess I need to make friends with a boat owner so I can fish somewhere besides the river.  I tried the water off Browns Point with my float tube a couple of years ago but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was taking a chance of being attacked and sunk by a rogue seal looking to steal my catch.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

There are about 1 million better fisheries that are closer to Vancouver than the Puyallup.  North, south, east, and west all have way better options.

We really don't need to broadcast this kind of info across the internet......

[WSU]

A few of the east locations I was referring to is real close to you!

[northcoast]

There are some fish in now, I'm sure, but lower stretch doesn't open till 8/10. Be sure to check the regs as there are some day closures and other interesting regs.

I drive across the 66th bridge and down N. Levee Rd twice a day.  Already non-native idiots who don't read the regs fishing the lower section.  Good way to get points for those so inclined.

[BigGoonTuna]

Most fish on the Puyallup are flossed.  It's a fact. 

And, I think Band is correct.  It isn't a skilled fishery and people of all skill levels (or with no skill) can go and floss all the fish they want.  I agree with most on here that you should feel free to go catch/floss/snag/whatever you want to call it all the humpies you want as long as you retain fish only fish legally hooked.  If that's what you're into, go have fun and enjoy your catch!

very true.  you're dealing with a river with near zero visibility and a ton of fish moving through.  while pinks are usually pretty willing biters and easy to catch to begin with, your typical "2 tiny corkies" rig isn't going to get any attention in that murky water.  a little test:  put that on an 18" leader like i would use in any normal fishery, and see how your catch rate plummets vs the 9' snagger leaders most of those guys use.

edit - to state my opinion, i don't care if they're biting or not.  just don't be the snagger that gives his gear a huge rip 2 or 3 times through the drift, and of course the obligatory jerk at the end before retrieving.

[The100Road]

Any word on if the pinks are in the Puyallup yet? Heard that if you put in the time you might get one but its not hot yet? Probably going down on Saturday.

[Tom Tamer]

It's certainly no secret and anyone who wants to floss up a million pinks should go for it.  I was just saying that there are many better options if you value the experience over just snagging a ton of fish.

So if I understand you post correctly,, people who fish the Puyallup are snagging and not fishing?

Hunterman(Tony)

Mostly, yes.  Do you think the fish see the corky in the water with zero inches of visibility?

It's certainly no secret and anyone who wants to floss up a million pinks should go for it.  I was just saying that there are many better options if you value the experience over just snagging a ton of fish.

So if I understand you post correctly,, people who fish the Puyallup are snagging and not fishing?

Hunterman(Tony)

Mostly, yes.  Do you think the fish see the corky in the water with zero inches of visibility?

That is why I don't run a corky/yarn combo there. All mine are legal hook 99% get an occasional one that bites at my lure and gets hit in the gill plate.

[The Gobble-stopper]

Any word on if the pinks are in the Puyallup yet? Heard that if you put in the time you might get one but its not hot yet? Probably going down on Saturday.

One of my buddys and his gal went down today, after they figured out they were fishing too shallow of water, they went deep and both limited out in less than an hour.. So unless something goes wrong, Saturday and for the next 6 weeks or so you should be fine.