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This is less a fishing report than proof that I am an idiot. Our original plan was to fish the Bubble for chinook. Being a Monday, we knew that we would have to have the gear stowed by noon. The 2020 WDFW MA 8-2 regulations states “Tulalip Terminal Area Fishery: Open Fridays through noon Mondays only…”. Our plan was for an early launch, fish/work till noon (The wife brought her computer and using her hotspot she worked from the boat.) then grab a burger at Ray’s on Broadway for the ride home. As it turned out our plan was less than a hard plan.

We were rolling by 2:00 am and cruising down the Snohomish River by 3:00. After a spectacular predawn cruise, we were the first boat on site. Shortly after I got our second rod down, I was working on getting our third rig ready for the downrigger clip when one of the first rods is absolutely crushed. I jump to action, lift the rod from the holder while the fish is still peeling line off the reel. Unfortunately, we lost the fish on the hand off. Working, sleeping who knows but our transition from either one was one step behind the fish. The fish hit a 3.5” Holiday Sports Special Kingfisher Lite spoon running 42” behind an 11” Gibbs Purple Onion flasher. The rigger was at 42’, we were running at approximately 2.8 mph in 100’ of water.

From that point on we caught and released a few healthy shakers and a 20” coho but no more nookie love. The morning was a bit frustrating, between the jellyfish and the gill netters in my usual Bubble trolling lane I felt that we were not fishing effectively. Then at one point (I’m an idiot: Part 1) I was leaning over the side of the boat trying to shake jellyfish goo and tentacles off of a flasher when a big glob of the tentacles splashed up across my face. It landed across my lips and eye. I have handled lots of jellyfish goo over the years and never experienced any stinging sensation. Let me tell you, get it on more sensitive areas and it stings! My face was a mess and did not exactly support a fishing state of mind…

Although still early at some point we decide to call it a day or at least change the plan. We talked about our options; do we go in, fish for sanddabs somewhere or maybe head for Kingston and fish for resident coho. The coho plan won and we stowed the gear for the run south. Course set we would be at Appletree Point within the hour. Boat on autopilot, while maintaining watch I tied up a couple coho rigs and enjoyed the run.

I think that we arrived just before the low slack tide and short order we had two rods rigged and in business. We started near the northern border of MA 10 and worked south along the 300’ couture line. Here it comes “I’m an Idiot Part 2!” We were having pretty solid action but releasing the fish because they were wild. After we released an exceptionally large one, maybe 4#s I decided to double check the regs. Well cr**, we can keep wild fish! I won’t say how many fish we released looking for a hatchery fish, we’ll just say I’m an idiot…

We were running 11” Gibbs flashers in Purple Onion and Chili Pepper. I had tied up a couple no name trolling flies, one a herring pattern and the other a mix of red green and purple tying fibers. I tied the leaders using two 3/0 hooks on 34” of fluorocarbon leader. Not really knowing the fishery we kind of stuck to the 300’ couture line while trolling 3.2-4.0 mph. I tried to chase meter marks and it seemed that most of the fish were between 60 and 90’. Anyway, after the big one we were on the low slack and the bite shut off. We decided to call it a day and head back to Everett.

The cruse back in was uneventful. We were back on the trailer headed home by 2-3:00 and we had a chance to reflect on the day. Between the jellyfish and weeds I don’t think I have ever worked so hard and not went home with a fish. In fact, I can’t recall the last time our boat was skunked. That is not to say that we didn’t have fun; between the jellyfish jokes, and our catch and release coho fishery we had a great time. If anybody knows of a remedy to neutralize jellyfish stings I’m all ears…

rmrauscher

7/9/2020 11:05:04 AM

Too funny.

conquestdz

7/9/2020 5:11:49 PM

Pretty sure the sage advice is to pee on the jellyfish stings. At least that's what they recommend down in Florida. On the other hand most people down there get jellyfish stings while wading. That might not be the most appropriate remedy in your situation.

Iwaterdave

7/11/2020 9:19:02 AM

LMAO

Ben Eggertsen

7/11/2020 1:03:25 PM

Too late for this time but maybe helpful for next time (Gig Harbor Pediatrics)
Step 1 - Sea Water Rinse to Remove Large Tentacles:
Rinse area with sea water. This will help remove any large tentacles stuck to the skin.
Do not rinse with fresh water (will trigger stingers).
Do not scrub or rub area (will trigger stingers).
Do this until you can get some vinegar.
Step 2 - Vinegar Rinse to Stop the Stinging:
Rinse area with vinegar (5% acetic acid) for 15 minutes.
Reason: Stops the stingers from stinging if still attached to the skin.
Avoid rubbing alcohol for all stings. Reason: will trigger the stingers.
If you can't get vinegar, move on to scraping off the stingers.
Step 3 - Scrape the Area to Remove Small Stingers:
Scrape off any stingers you can see. Use the edge of a credit card or dinner knife.
Do not use your bare fingers. (Reason: you will get stings on your hands). Put on gloves if you have them.
Then, coat area with shaving cream or any mild cream. Scrape the area again.
If the stingers are stuck to body hair, shave with a razor.
Step 4 - Repeat Vinegar Rinse: (Exception: Chesapeake Bay Jellyfish - go to #6)
Keep a cloth wet with vinegar on the area.
Do this for 15 more minutes.

Good fish story BTW!!

Iwaterdave

7/12/2020 3:24:53 PM

You are not the first nor the last to make that mistake my friend.

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