Unfortunate.

[strider43]

You can take action if you don't mind the work. Film it and go to the meetings with a group you put together. Regulators listen to groups. They especially listen to groups if you get on a blog like this or get published in the Times. Again, you need a group of legitimate people others will respect. That will get action.

Which group would this information be presented to?

[FishBaitThe2nd]

I agree with above statements, its worse this year then ive ever seen it...anyone that knows me knows past 7 years ive fished the skok everyday of king season...this year I fished it everyday until the 20th..and after that I only went twice and would limit and get out asap. its gotten bad out there...all hood canal rivers are getting bad

[jd39]

Well I hope all you legit and courteous anglers don't quit the skok. Keep showing up and fishing the right way. The more of us there are the better. I'll try it again floating eggs for kings next year, hope to see you all out there.

[Goldrigger1]

This crummy example is what makes me like the Clint Eastwood movies. I like to see him take care of the good and very little acceptance of the bad. In fact, isn't this what we all like about Clint E. types of movies?

[AJFishdude]

Why am I up browsing forums at 1:15am? Naturally, because I am going fishing in the morning and don't want to go to bed. Anyway, to the topic at hand, I hit the Skok once this year and saw much the same thing. I was patiently floating my corkies and yarn through the holes, waiting for strikes and moving when necessary, when I eventually hear sloshing down river. I look down to see two guys come wading up, casting every couple of feet and just ripping their lines at the end of each cast.

You know the scene.

It wasn't long before one of them had a fish on the line. I couldn't honestly tell if it was foul or not, but their "technique" would indicate that there was about a 99% chance it was foul....unless the massive ripping motion at the end of each cast someone lights a fire under those Nooks and causes them to bite.

Kind of doubt that.

It is incredibly frustrating to me watching this happen. It takes zero skill to snag a fish when they are stacked in the holes, but obviously it isn't about skill at that point. It's about making up for your lack of skill...or needing to prove your machismo...or something. I try to follow the rules as close as I can, and I feel good knowing that when I catch a fish it is because I won the battle of wits and skill with a worthy foe.

I was up on the Samish for one day this year, and it is undeniable, that river is stacked! Stacked with fat nooks, and stacked with snaggers as well. I really couldn't believe it. I just cant help but feel that those fish would devour a good clump of roe, or demolish a spinner that was sent their way, but most of them don't get that chance because they were just ripped out of the river by their dorsal or tail fins.

Oh well, I will repeat a phrase I developed last year to describe this. My ode to the "Skokomish Sunrise" and the "Samish Special," in reference to a 6/0 treble and a foot of pencil lead.

"Wrap the shank. Give it a yank. Fish on the bank."

Because that's what fishing is about......

[skagit510]

Well said aj. They tend to ruin the experience for actual anglers

[skagit510]

Spey??

Fly anglers employing the two handed rod. Born and brought from the River Spey to cast distance with little room. Has the advantage of carrying a large fly with little effort to it's target. Spey anglers play a low percentage game needing a fish to move to the fly aggressively, thus loath flosser/snaggers as they diminish this reaction in fish through their constant ripping and harassment.

[strider43]

Why am I up browsing forums at 1:15am? Naturally, because I am going fishing in the morning and don't want to go to bed. Anyway, to the topic at hand, I hit the Skok once this year and saw much the same thing. I was patiently floating my corkies and yarn through the holes, waiting for strikes and moving when necessary, when I eventually hear sloshing down river. I look down to see two guys come wading up, casting every couple of feet and just ripping their lines at the end of each cast.

You know the scene.

It wasn't long before one of them had a fish on the line. I couldn't honestly tell if it was foul or not, but their "technique" would indicate that there was about a 99% chance it was foul....unless the massive ripping motion at the end of each cast someone lights a fire under those Nooks and causes them to bite.

Kind of doubt that.

It is incredibly frustrating to me watching this happen. It takes zero skill to snag a fish when they are stacked in the holes, but obviously it isn't about skill at that point. It's about making up for your lack of skill...or needing to prove your machismo...or something. I try to follow the rules as close as I can, and I feel good knowing that when I catch a fish it is because I won the battle of wits and skill with a worthy foe.

I was up on the Samish for one day this year, and it is undeniable, that river is stacked! Stacked with fat nooks, and stacked with snaggers as well. I really couldn't believe it. I just cant help but feel that those fish would devour a good clump of roe, or demolish a spinner that was sent their way, but most of them don't get that chance because they were just ripped out of the river by their dorsal or tail fins.

Oh well, I will repeat a phrase I developed last year to describe this. My ode to the "Skokomish Sunrise" and the "Samish Special," in reference to a 6/0 treble and a foot of pencil lead.

"Wrap the shank. Give it a yank. Fish on the bank."

Because that's what fishing is about......

Great post AJFishdude. BTW, where are the coho biting?

[AJFishdude]

Great post AJFishdude. BTW, where are the coho biting?

Thanks strider. I went out to Whidbey this morning and then hit up the Sky by Tualco in the evening. Saw two or three caught in close to three hours on Whidbey (one may have been a trout, looked small), and didn't see anything caught on the Sky, although there were a bunch jumping.

[denhambruce]

Speaking of Hood Canal in general, whats worse? The Skok is pretty bad but anyone familiar with the Quilcene, or should I say Killcene, knows about all the crap that happens on that river...

[schu7498]

Samish and skok are two great examples of no matter how many rules wdfw makes, the illegal snaggers will still just snag. Why follow rules if there is no one to make you.

[schu7498]

Difference between skok and quil, skok fishermen start out flossing and then towards the end of the season start blatantly snagging. Quil is straight to the point, treble hook with weight, double 5/0 with lead crimped on peice of red yarn. Generations of snaggers up there. The result is a run of fish completely wiped out from the little quil.
Just an fyi the snaggers got the tahuya access closed down too. Bitter sweet moment for me.

[denhambruce]

Not to mention I went to the Skok about 5 times this year and not once did I see a game warden... Why not go there and fill a year's worth of quota all in one day?

[BlakeP]

Difference between skok and quil, skok fishermen start out flossing and then towards the end of the season start blatantly snagging. Quil is straight to the point, treble hook with weight, double 5/0 with lead crimped on peice of red yarn. Generations of snaggers up there. The result is a run of fish completely wiped out from the little quil.
Just an fyi the snaggers got the tahuya access closed down too. Bitter sweet moment for me.

The Quilcene isn't all bad. It depends. Plus if you're willing to hike around, you'll see less snaggers. It's gotten worse the past two years though. Used to see more guys using eggs, and now people on that river look at me like I'm weird for tossing eggs while they're using a 4/0 hook with a giant weight below it. Makes no sense. used to be pretty fun to fish that river. But if you know the right spots snaggers are still somewhat avoidable. Quilcene gets a bad name cause of Rogers st. Mostly...Sad to hear about the Tahuya too. But at least it'll help out the run of fish. Too many snaggers everywhere lately though. My local river opens up in a few days, and there's already people snagging fish on it...

[Jhuynh2]

I say just let people fish the way they want to fish. Mind everyone's own business and go from there. We are all fisherpeople and not little hall moniters. If people catch their fish fast then they will leave and the river will be open again. All fishermen must stick together or get pushed by the other lobbying groups

[4steelhead]

I say just let people fish the way they want to fish. Mind everyone's own business and go from there. We are all fisherpeople and not little hall moniters. If people catch their fish fast then they will leave and the river will be open again. All fishermen must stick together or get pushed by the other lobbying groups

When people try to snag fish, they rip holes in the bellies of fish without ever getting a good hook set. STOP SNAGGING

[schu7498]

The thing about snaggers is they dont follow rules. Which means they dont get their limit and get out. They take all they want and snag some more.

[Truecrypt]

What and where is skok? I have never been river fishing in Washington, and am looking to try a new location? In addition I would love to run into some jerks and teach them a lesson in being mean to people...

I need to know what setup I need and where to go. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I always bring my wife and kids so we all can have fun fishing. " a family that fishes together stays together"

Thanks in advance

Stevo

[ResQ]

What and where is skok? I have never been river fishing in Washington, and am looking to try a new location? In addition I would love to run into some jerks and teach them a lesson in being mean to people...

I need to know what setup I need and where to go. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I always bring my wife and kids so we all can have fun fishing. " a family that fishes together stays together"

Thanks in advance

Stevo

The Skok is just south of Union. Just pick a spot and try it out. You'll see the cars. Best bet is to float eggs off bobber in some slow water. Or toss spinners. Usual size 3 or 4 spinners.

[skagit510]

I say just let people fish the way they want to fish. Mind everyone's own business and go from there. We are all fisherpeople and not little hall moniters. If people catch their fish fast then they will leave and the river will be open again. All fishermen must stick together or get pushed by the other lobbying groups

Because snagging/flossing is not fishing, it's poaching. It does more to hurt sportsmen's interests. You are obviously ignorant on the issues involved. Should hunters partner with poachers too?