Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709

Quick Links

Skookumchuck River Report
Lewis County, WA

Photos

Details

02/28/2014
Float Fishing
Steelhead
Red
Sunny
Jig
All Day
03/01/2014
3
3193

Went down to the Skookumchuck for the first time today. Pulled into the parking lot in the fields around 8am and was fishing by about 8:30 or so. I fished until around 2:15pm. I tried drifting corkies and yarn on the bottom just a little, but spent most of the day floating jigs under a bobber. I basically started at the first spot that looked decent and then worked my way down river. At one particular hole I saw another guy go 2/3 in about 40 minutes. The first was a nice hatchery fish, the second was a little native, and the third was a good sized fish that wrapped into a log and got off pretty quick. Looked to be in the 8 to 9 pound range. Anyway, he gave me some tips on the spot he was fishing, but requested that I not share details, so I will honor his wishes. I tried at that hole for about an hour or so but couldn't get anything to bite so I moved on. I eventually found a nice drift that paralleled a downed tree and was able to bring in a very nice looking 4.5lb hatchery hen. I was using a 1/4 oz nightmare jig with shrimp oil at the time.

Overall it was a very good day. I got to experience a new river, saw fish caught, landed a nice fish myself and the weather was great. I must also say that I really like that lower stretch down in the fields, the river just has a nice feel to it if you know what I'm saying. I don't mind some combat fishing, especially if the fishing is good, but it is great to be able to get away from the crowds and fish in relative seclusion as well. I found it funny that as I was getting my gear ready to go I saw numerous cars going up the road, I can only assume they were headed for the hatchery, while the lot at the fields only had maybe 4 or 5 vehicles total. I'll probably check out the hatchery area eventually, but was content to leave it alone for today.


Comments

BentRod
3/1/2014 7:34:00 AM
That is a good looking fish! Nice job and thanks for the report.
mizm05
3/1/2014 9:05:00 AM
Congrats. Something tells there's gonna be more cars in that area in the near future. Darn. I was planning a trip out there this weekend. This will be interesting to see just how quickly a report can blow up a section of river. Not faulting you AJ so please don't take it that way. Just how things go.
AJFishdude
3/1/2014 10:16:00 AM
Yea, I know what you mean mizm05. I was thinking that myself as I was writing up the report. At least that area is quite large though. From what I saw, as long as you are willing to walk you should be able to find some good holding water, even on busy days. That's just my guess.
Weekend-warrior17
3/1/2014 10:36:00 AM
+1 AJ, your spot on. It's best to share, that's what fishings all about. If anybody spot hops because this report all I can say is you should of already known the skookumchuck would have fish in it by march if you call yourself a fisherman in the PNW. Good karma's coming for ya AJ !!!
mizm05
3/1/2014 12:32:00 PM
Yeah it's a long stretch. Will do some hiking and see what's up.
soberg
3/1/2014 2:15:00 PM
Aj, nice job. Good to go too a new spot away from the crowds for sure. And thanks for sharing you experience. I have struggled with wether or not to write reports myself. If the people I am with share a secret with me I do not write it up anymore myself. I have made friends and I have made enamies writing reports. I stopped writting reports for a couple yrs changed my name ect. But I have come to the understanding it is sharing my experience and memories that I do. Yes more people fish the spots ect bit I sure do not see the younger generations fishing like i used toIT CONCERNS ME! good fishing
Ryno724
3/1/2014 4:23:00 PM
When they say crowd they are not kidding either. Tons of people fishing by the dam and hatchery including myself. Your also not missing out, I was there Friday and caught a 2.5lb native. Also I was there all morning and from what I saw and heard it was the only fish caught anywhere near my area. Hopefully the water color gets better soon and more fish move in. Maybe by next weekend we should have more fish and hopefully the rain we get doesn't make the water color worse.
salmonbarry
3/1/2014 9:33:00 PM
Nice bright fish and great report! I am sure people have figured out there has to be some fish in the Skookumchuck by now! There is lot of water to cover and even more lower down to try some time as you explore it more!
natetreat
3/3/2014 5:41:00 AM
Great catch! Don't be worried about posting reports, there aren't any secrets about fish being in the Skook. It's one of the only pproductive late run fisheries. The crowds are going to be there on the weekend whether you post a report or not.
Leave a Comment:

Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709