Gig Harbor Gathering

Hi All,
The only trouble with going north to those good launches is most of the c-dorys are coming from south near Longview and further south. If any one has driven the I-5 corridor they know that from Olympia north the road is ROUGH and beats heck out of you when towing a boat. I was trying to find good launches so they would not have to travle that rough roadway. Any one knowing of such would be greatful to have them post where they are. Thanks for all the good information.
 
WEEEEE DOGGIES!! Yup, us southern boys are a fixin to come up north and have us a good ol' time. :mrgreen:

I sure appreciate your input, guys. But what kind of problems will I have if I just drive to Gig Harbor other than the bad stretch of I-5? I'd kinda like to have my truck within walking distance in case I want to run around town for supplies.
 
Well the forecast is looking a little grim for this weekend. 20-30 knots Saturday, 10-20 knots for Sunday. Colvo-David S..... I think at this time, considering the forecast, I will make a decision Saturday evening regarding my Sunday plans. Never really know about the timing of those fronts this time of year do we? I will call you on your cell about 6:00 PM if I decide to go out. It would be great to meet you.

For the rest of you guys, good luck during the week. For those trolling with downriggers, I've had great luck with a green-glow hot spot flasher and a green/white, green/speckle, army truck glow spoon. Spoons would include, coho killer, kingfisher, sonic edge and the coyote in the 3.5 or 4 inch sizes this time of year. I typically use about 45 inches of 30-40 lb leader (measured from the end of the hook to the end of the flasher) and unless I notice suspended bait, I try to fish within 5 to 10' of the bottom in 80 to 150' of water.

If you are fishing close to the bottom and you notice bait on the deck(candlefish) it doesn't hurt to kick the boat out of gear and let the downrigger ball hit the deck and then put it back into gear. Another effective tactic is to set the downriggers out whatever depth you want to fish and troll slowly towards shallower water until the balls start dragging, then quickly steer towards deeper water and give the boat a little gas until the balls quit bouncing. The key to both of these tactics is to keep the amount of time the balls are dragging on the bottom to just a few seconds or so. Lost a few balls this way, but I've caught plenty enough blackmouth to warrant the risk. Just my two bits. Tim
 
Larry,
I hear all about those high winds but do not have even a breeze here at my house. I live just about 4 miles up Hammersly inlet which is protected by some hills but has some open places.
Do you have a map on your computer like Streets and trips? If so you can get off I-5 at exit 125 Bridgeport Way for a long ways and turns into S Jackson Ave . Then cross over to hwy 16 at about N 11 th st and miss all that rough road. That is the route I have taken when we trailered to Pt Defiance park to launch. That also misses a lot of the heavy Fort Lewis and Lakewood traffic. The road is mostly 4 lane and well marked.
 
Lyle

I'll have to check my maps, (they're in the boat) but that sounds like the route for me. Thanks.

This wintertime boat camping is only for the tough and rugged. I probably won't use the stereo or Television I just put in the boat, so don't pay any attention to it. :mrgreen:
 
Hi,
If you guys are going out fishing for salmon this week check your regs everthing is closed until either later this month or after the 1st only place that is open for salmon is area 11 around Tacoma, don't want to see anyone get busted.
Richard
 
Uncle Ritchie,
According to what I read in the 2003-2004 fishing Washington areas 11 -12 - 13 are all open till Dec 31 for salmon!!! Where are you getting the other info??
 
Ken,
B~C I stoped by to see Larry at Gig Harbour on my way home from Seattle. He is at Arebells and said they have lots of room and lots of parking if you want to go there. He is at C10. I will be going back early am to go fishing with him. I hope we see you there if not we will be trolling around Pt. Defiance near the ferry dock.
Later Lyle
 
Thanks fer the update.
I think the Washington fishing Gods just expect new truck purchases now. Have you been to a Dodge dealer lately? I ain't no nerd but that is what I've heard ;).

Don't ya love kids?

Now, tell us more about the fishing....
 
I met up with Lyle and Larry yesterday for a nice day on the lovely Helen O. We came back empty handed, but Lyle had one nice fish on. It escaped on the final run, and when the line was retrieved, Lyle discovered that the HOOK HAD BROKEN! He was trolling with a whole herring on a Deep Six. I had one strike on the same rig, but no hook up.
I'm back at work, but they're out again today. Maybe they'll get lucky!
 
One of those exciting moments that turned out to be a dog fish.
doggie.jpg
 
Hi All,
Update on Gig Harbour fishing. When I lost a nice chinook :amgry due to broken hook Larry and I tried to figure out why a hook would break where that one did. Well to make a long story short in puget sound it is required that you use hooks without barbs or pinch the barbs down on your hooks. :thdown. I tied on another double hook set up and was pinching the barbs down when I heard a sharp snap noise. I looked at the hook and saw "NOT PINCHED BUT BARB BROKEN" and that is right where the other hook broke. :idea When the hooks barb breaks instead of bending the hook fractures at that point :cry and LOST fish. Now to find BARBLESS hooks???
 
Hello All,
Here is a big THANKS to Larry on the Helen O for a wonderful outing at Gig Harbour. I enjoyed myself very much. It was a real treat to be able to run his boat and learn all about his systems with him. It was one of the best December fishing trips I have been on in a very long time.
I also got to meet Dave S. of Colvosview and the owner of Can-Dory who keeps his C-Dory at Gig Harbour. Larry told him to go online and look at the web site and come join us.
Ken B~C We sure missed having you up there with us. We did get into fish and with another boat along side us just may have gotten more. The weather was very good with only one evening that the wind gave us some waves. Even then they were not anything to be concerned about as the Helen O smothed them right out. Larry let me do the steering and playing with his electronics while he learned all about his downrigger. He got very good at raising and lowering it as I called out the changes in depth. We bumped bottom only when we wanted to while we figured out the length of cable out against the depth of the cannon ball. Now I am going to go read what all of you have posted even if I have to stay up all night to catch up on the posts.
 
Hey Larry, you just missed some excitement at Arabellas. One of those nice boats burned up. We had just started off on a little afternoon stroll when we noticed smoke coming from the general direction of the marina. As we were trying to figure out just where it was coming from, and if we needed to call the marina owner, they came by in their car and took us over.
Evidently it was a young arsonist. The marina staff had just chased off someone they thought looked suspicious, and as he was leaving, they noticed the smoke. The police apprehended a 16 year old. I guess no place is 100% safe. It'll be interesting to hear how the story unfolds.
 
Hmmmm, I wonder if that is the same young fellow that I seen hangin around the marina.

Thank you David S. for the fun day of fishing Monday, even though I was hoping you'd get to take some fish home. I had a great day.

Lyle, what can I say. You made this a most memorable and enjoyable fishing vacation, one I'll never forget. Your companionship, knowledge and fishing tips were truly appreciated. A heartfelt thank you. Let's go fishing again real soon. You're welcome on my boat anytime.

Gig Harbor was beautiful this time of year. They had an almost constant parade of yachts with christmas lights and figures crusising the harbor in the evenings, even had a large ship with carolers singing one night. The next time I go back there I need to take my wife, she'd love it. Book stores, quaint little shops selling handmade crafts and good resturaunts. :thup
 
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