Skook Lately?

[Weekend-warrior17]

Coho are in the skookumchuck theirs a few bright ones.

[Brat Bonker]

how many chromers like 1 out of 10?

[Weekend-warrior17]

You know it.

[Brat Bonker]

probably a ton of boot kings too

[Brat Bonker]

wow look at all this chrome, this is all that's in the skook right now, 1 or 2 steelhead here and there but no one catching anything today, I lost something nice, never got to see it but it was fighting a little harder than a boot silver, maybe just a better looking one or something.

[schu7498]

My husband fished it all day today with nothing to show for it. He found some water that was void of people which is great, but fishing was tough. He counted 60 cars from johnson creek road to the red gate. WAY too many people. I blame myself and the poor steel returns on the other rivers. SUCKS

[natetreat]

My husband fished it all day today with nothing to show for it. He found some water that was void of people which is great, but fishing was tough. He counted 60 cars from johnson creek road to the red gate. WAY too many people. I blame myself and the poor steel returns on the other rivers. SUCKS

It has nothing to do with either. The Skook is the only place that will have fish. It's literally the closest steelhead river without driving to Canada from Seattle. It happens every year, that's just how it goes. Either here or the Peninsula. There are fish to be caught, and there are more on their way. Just have to know where to catch them!@

[BentRod]

My husband fished it all day today with nothing to show for it. He found some water that was void of people which is great, but fishing was tough. He counted 60 cars from johnson creek road to the red gate. WAY too many people. I blame myself and the poor steel returns on the other rivers. SUCKS

Certainly don't blame yourself! There are just too many people forced to fish for too few fish in too few places...doesn't matter where or when...or really what species. The crowds are to be expected, and wouldn't doubt the lack of fish on the PS rivers might play a roll, but who knows what the return on the Skook will be like this year either. Hopefully better than around here. Additionally, it's only natural that when the rivers up here close, people will be driving a little farther to chase their addiction. I usually hang up the rod in February, but have been considering driving south and west myself this year as I sure didn't get my fix this season on the Snoqualmie.
Good luck to you and your husband out there!

[Brat Bonker]

I blame gamefishin.com reports, there were a lot of people there talking about how they came because of that and how now they realize those reports are all false unless thy say the fishing is bad. kind funny but sad that I got there at 7:45 and there were already 10 cars in the fields, 5 plunkers, anoth10 or so at the salmon hatch and at least 30-40 cars at red gate. literally shoulder to shoulder at deadline. A lot of the peopdecided to just start snagging

[schu7498]

Yep thats exactly what my husband said. Lots of snaggers

[DannyL]

Tempted to head down Monday but idk if it's worth it

[Brat Bonker]

don't bother trust me it is way to low, if you were to go, go Tuesday, its supposed to rain a little but it is so low idk if it is going to help much

[skagit510]

I blame gamefishin.com reports, there were a lot of people there talking about how they came because of that and how now they realize those reports are all false unless thy say the fishing is bad. kind funny but sad that I got there at 7:45 and there were already 10 cars in the fields, 5 plunkers, anoth10 or so at the salmon hatch and at least 30-40 cars at red gate. literally shoulder to shoulder at deadline. A lot of the peopdecided to just start snagging

those reports are hilarious, as are the names. further hilarious that it drew out the top shelf anglers. good to see someone with a sense of humor using the internet for good.

[Brat Bonker]

yah I use to follow those reports all the time a couple years ago but then I realized theywere al lies so I never base my trips off of those reports, I usually use facebook as a report site, follow all the guides to see where the fish are at then my friends tell me whats going on. unfortunately this season has been a bust for steelhead, funny how such a great salmon season we had would be followed by one of the worst steelhead seasons. I filled 5 punch cards this year on coho, kings and chum and I haven't even touched a steelhead yet

[AJFishdude]

So, any word on the Skook now that it is mid February? I have yet to fish it myself but am interested in giving it a shot now that the Seattle area has shut down.

PS: For Seattle area anglers at this time of year, do we really have any river options in our area? From my studying of the regs. it looks like we are limited to going south, going to the coast, or finding something else to fish for.

[AJFishdude]

Double post - removed

[MikeLFP]

Its flooded right now. Highest river flow ever in history there. Going to be weeks before its fishable again Im sure!

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?s ... 0060,00065" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jd39]

Its flooded right now. Highest river flow ever in history there. Going to be weeks before its fishable again Im sure!

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?s ... 0060,00065" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks like it's dropping pretty fast and will drop back well below flood stage today. Just curious why it'd take weeks to be fishable again, will clarity be an issue even when the water height and discharge return to a fishable level?

[Bay wolf]

Been fishing there several times before this big water. Last time was last Thursday. There was only one fish "allegedly" caught. That was told to us second hand so no confirmation. This flooding might drive the nets off the rivers and certainly will allow some fish up.

The locals, for the most part, do not take kindly to "outsiders" fishing their river and have no bones about letting you know! Just be aware that there are several of the better runs that they feel are theirs and they will move in in numbers and push you out if your fishing them.

Also, if you are of color, be prepared. Had a fellow throwing "N" bombs pretty frequently last time I was there. I was waiting for the banjo music to start up!

[natetreat]

Been fishing there several times before this big water. Last time was last Thursday. There was only one fish "allegedly" caught. That was told to us second hand so no confirmation. This flooding might drive the nets off the rivers and certainly will allow some fish up.

The locals, for the most part, do not take kindly to "outsiders" fishing their river and have no bones about letting you know! Just be aware that there are several of the better runs that they feel are theirs and they will move in in numbers and push you out if your fishing them.

Also, if you are of color, be prepared. Had a fellow throwing "N" bombs pretty frequently last time I was there. I was waiting for the banjo music to start up!

That's BS. Don't let them push you around, just a bunch of redneck thugs. I grew up a local down there, Centralia High, go Tigers! I personally give you all permission to fish down there, and if anyone gives you a problem, I'll take care of it. That's ###### up about the racism. The Skookumchuck is the closest river to Seattle that is open to fishing, and the "locals" have no claim to it. Although, since it is the only option, don't expect to have water all to yourself, the closer to Bloody Run you get, the higher the concentration of people is going to be.

As far as fishing is concerned, it's going to be getting better soon. There are already 99 fish in the Nooch trap, as of two weeks ago, and the nets can't fish in the flood Five days a week really cuts into the amount of fish that make it through, and it really shows in early numbers.

That being said, you guys should group up and take over, find someone that open carries, that'll shut 'em up. And if you want to find the super secret spots, give me a call, I work the Skook for bank lessons this time of year and generally outfish most of the guys down there. I'm not bragging, just a fact. The money you save on bait and gear alone makes it worth it