So I decided to give Samish River a shot, even after watching YouTube videos and learning that it's "combat" fishing. Figured I'd give it a go before the Chinook completely turn. Fortunately no crowds since it's a weekday.

Tons of fish jumping, only saw two caught by a guy drifting eggs, which is what I was doing. I just couldn't get myself to do the 1oz jig thing. Do people really think the Chinook are biting these heavy jigs that are just sitting at the bottom? I watched all the guys besides the one who caught tossing these gigantic jigs and wait for something to happen as the line sits motionless in the slow, almost not moving, water. Based on what I saw I can only assume that the line sits tight since the jig is so heavy and fish just run into the line, at which time the angler yanks the rod and "hooks the fish in the mouth." Is that about how it goes?

Well, regardless of whether or not the Chinook actually bite I learned through experience that this isn't my style of fishing. I got tons of bites with my eggs, left when I ran out. Considering all the fish that were jumping I can only assume it was Chinook taking my roe and not smaller fish like, perhaps, cutthroat? I'll stick to the upper river and stronger currents.

snatchinglips

10/8/2014 9:00:00 PM

There is also flounder and bullheads in there to. That's probably eating your ears. I also fish eggs in there.i believe the best method is to free drift them. It's also kind of late for the Kings in there, Labor Day is a good starting time to start fishing for them in the Samish.

SilverSlayer

10/8/2014 9:34:00 PM

Thanks for the report. The snagging is definitely illegal. When was the last time you saw a fish, let alone a chinook bite a jig hurried in the mud? WDFW put out a YouTube video on it and said they will be enforcing it. My guess is they are looking the other way and letting it happen. I was thinking of going up there and giving eggs and spinners a try but maybe the run is done, but rain is coming so who knows?

Seattle Pat

10/9/2014 8:45:00 PM

flounder & bullhead will peck at the eggs. A Chinook will pick it up and the line will tighten.
Regarding them biting the jigs: I believed for the last 3 years that they were being flossed/snagged and the heavy weight was there to stabilize the line so you could feel them when they passed over it. This is surely the case for a lot of the fish caught, but I actually had my first aggressive hits, hooks & lands on a jig this season, so I guess it all depends on whether or not you have the right color and lure.

Seattle Pat

10/9/2014 8:49:00 PM

Also - there's far too much water coming through right now. Tides need to be under 1.5 feet to be effective at getting kings. Lots of wild silvers coming through but you can't keep them.

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