Kings in South Puget Sound

R

Robbi

New member
Fly fishing for kings is not an easy undertaking, but for some reason I've got a spot and a technique down this year. Three trips out, three hook ups and two to the boat. One wild 13 pounder last trip, but today, I must say, the biggest fish ever on a fly rod for me. A 22 pound hatchery king on a 6 weight rod, full sink line , pink and while cluster fly that I tied on a number 4 hook.

I honestly thought for a minute that I had hooked a seal, but then her back hit the surface and I could see that it was a salmon. It took me into my backing three time, and I thought on two occasions that I had lost the fish when I couldn't quite keep up with the fish coming back towards the boat. I finally got the fish into the net, which is seriously undersized, and got it aboard.

I can't remember how to post a picture from my IPad, maybe later today I'll get that together. I was out at 5 and hooked up about 6, so it is nap time now.

Robbi
 
22 pounds on a 6 weight fly rod?? Sound wonderful and scary all at the same time. I cant wait to see the pictures.

In general what type of structure and water are you targeting?
 
Robbi,
That's quite an accomplishment. I have tried fly fishing for kings on the west side of Vancouver Island with no luck. Coho are easy compared to kings. I thought I'd be in trouble if I hooked up with an 8 weight. I look forward to seeing the pictures.
Lyle
 
Tom and Lyle, I look for schools of baitfish that tend to congregate in shallow water near back eddies in bays. Also, I try to find these fish near a drop off. I was fishing 100 feet or so from shore in about 15 to 20 feet of water, with a drop off to 40 or 50 feet within casting range, and 200 feet within a few hundred feet. Early morning, before 8:30 or so, and a cloudy day really helps. This particular bay has had herring, sand lance and another larger fish that I have not identified yet. They could be salmon, possibly resident coho.

The 6 wt rod I use is a Loomis NRX fast action rod, and it fishes more like a 7 wt, but is lighter than most 6 wts. The reel is probably the weakest link. You need a reel that picks up lots of line fast, and one with a very smooth drag.

I use a full sink line and I let it sink about 15 to 20 feet before I start my retrieve.

If this works again tomorrow morning, I'll let you know, but I think I may be pushing my luck! :smilep



Robbi
 
Nice work Robbi. Can't wait to see the pictures. For whatever reason, those near shore kings tend to be larger on average than the kings in deeper water (at least that's my experience).
 
Was that a Chambers Creek fish?

Interesting that although you target areas with baitfish, the king hit a (relatively) small fly that sounds more like a shrimp pattern.

Kudos also for the single handed netting. Hooking any 20+ pound chinook in Puget Sound is a great day, to do so with a flyrod is extraordinary, but even more so is getting said fish into a net when you're alone on the boat. Most don't realize how challenging that part of the dance is until they've tried it themselves.
 
83d96343e0e6a5fc6e72a9fb05335765_zps36b0046b.jpg
 
Well I found an interesting way to post pictures from photobucket on my ipad. It works ok, but I need to play around a bit more to refine the sizing of the image.

The first photo is of the 22 pound fish. And yes, it was very difficult netting it and then getting the net into the boat, but I was lucky.

The second picture is when I got home right before the cleaning. Now that was a job!

The third picture is of the fly that I used. It's tied on a number 2 hook and is about 4 inches long. The baitfish in the area ranged from 3 inches to maybe 6 inches. Herring, sand lance, perch and ??.

The last picture of the 13 pound wild fish that I released.

I'm not sure if the 22 pounder was a Chambers creek fish. Those tend to be "cookie cutter" fish that are on the small size, and I have not seen any in the bay or fish ladder area as of yet.

Today, no fish. Saw lots on the finder, tons of baitfish, but no hookups. Only a cutthroat and a resident silver about 14 inches.

I went out at four this morning and it was beautiful as it got light. Nice day.

Robbi
 
Back
Top