Pick of the Week: Hoodsport Chum Salmon

Published 5:30 pm Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Only a couple of weeks remaining for chums at the Hoodsport Hatchery, according to a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife technician there. The run is starting to fade, but “with 5,000 fish out there, it’s hard not to hook something,” the tech said.

There aren’t too many bright fish remaining, so this is mostly a fun fishery at this point in the season, for chums running 5 or 6 pounds up to 10 or 12, and these are tough, slug-it-out salmon with an attitude.

Most of the fishing is done in the bottom end of the hatchery creek, with anglers lined up on both sides of the stream channel. Light steelhead-type gear works well, using float and jig, or Corky and yarn. Best colors are pinks, greens and chartreuse.

“I even saw a guy the other day fishing with a light rod and anchovies,” the tech said, “the first time I’ve seen that. But he was doing pretty well.”

Hoodsport is about five miles north of the “great bend” at the bottom of Hood Canal.