Hitting the Skookemchuck in the morning

[BigGoonTuna]

there's a lot of fishable rivers in grays harbor, but the downside is that not a single one of them has what i'd call "good" bank access, especially with the puget sound closures and hordes of people coming out here to fish.  most of the accesses on the wynoochee are fairly obvious from the road.  same for the satsop and humptulips, there just isn't much.  i can't stand being stuck on a 200 yard long section of gravel bar all morning, i like to cover a mile or two of water if i can, so i find myself driving a lot during the winter.

and the skookumchuck, that used to be fun back when i was in high school.  go out there and there wouldn't be more than a dozen guys spread out from the field to the deadline on a weekend, and almost nobody during the week.  i used to cross the river and fish the hole that the plunkers stake out before first light every day now, they'd probably pelt me with beer bottles if i tried that nowadays.  seems like since about 2006 or so the pressure has really exploded out there, now there's probably more dudes down there than at blue creek on a typical day.  i fished it for the second time in 4 years last weekend, one thing i noticed was a big sign saying "closed to public access" right in front of the salmon hatchery hole.

[PolarBear]

Magazine articles like the one in NW Sportsman etc, that lay out maps to these rivers like the Nooch and Skook kill the fun for those of us who have been fishing them for years with relative solitude. 

[Button Nubbs]

There's still a few left

[TheHunt]

I am with you on finding water that is fishable and with not too many people is hard to do. 

I will tell you that I have fished the Skookemchuck and started at 2 AM or start at 4 PM.  It seems that many  leave.  BUT you have to figure out the glow in the dark baits.   

I have figured out a few things.  Like glow sticks on the bobbers, glow corky, glow rubber eggs, glow worms, etc...  But who wants to fish at night? 

[PolarBear]

It is funny that you mentioned night fishing on the Skook.  Last night during out anual poker game we came very close to breaking it up and taking it to the banks of the Skook.  We agreed to try it next year.  Build a fire, set up a card table and plunk the night away.  We use to do that on the Chehalis in our little shacks with the wood stoves.  We would get there around midnight -2 am, play cards and hang out while listening for our bells to go off.  Camera flashes come in handy for recahrging those glow in the dark spin n glows.

[TheHunt]

Would I be invited to get warm by your fire?   

[PolarBear]

Sure, as long as you don't bogart my fishin' spot.     I might have the kids camped out there one night next weekend to see how they like it.

[TheHunt]

I usually fish the line or the deep hole on the bend or the lower hole from the parking lot.  I have been known to go walk down stream if the water is low enough.   If you are up on the road where the plunkers hang I will stop by. 

[BLKBEARKLR]

It is funny that you mentioned night fishing on the Skook.  Last night during out anual poker game we came very close to breaking it up and taking it to the banks of the Skook.  We agreed to try it next year.  Build a fire, set up a card table and plunk the night away.  We use to do that on the Chehalis in our little shacks with the wood stoves.  We would get there around midnight -2 am, play cards and hang out while listening for our bells to go off.  Camera flashes come in handy for recahrging those glow in the dark spin n glows.

I just want to be invited to the poker game 

[TheHunt]

We could have a heck of a good time out there.   Could you imagine what that would look like?

Yes, officer....  Well, some of us are fishing and some of us are sitting around these tables.  Card's... What cards?  Oh, we are just playing some family friendly card games.   Why do you ask?  ....   Sir

[PolarBear]

Hmmmmm....  This sounds like a good idea for a South Sound H-W git together, eh?

[BLKBEARKLR]

Hmmmmm....  This sounds like a good idea for a South Sound H-W git together, eh?

It does to me!!!!!!