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Twas the day after the Everett Blackmouth Derby and all through rseas boat not drop of salt residue was left, not even on my coat. The flashers were clean and Coho Killers washed with care in anticipation of what next year’s derby would bare. I was all snug in my bed while visions many fish released with an extra fin danced in my head. Mama off messing with the grandbaby and a phone app while I in my, well I won’t mention what…settled in for a long overdue nap; when in my dreams there arose a clatter I tossed and turned trying to figure out why my catch was not fatter. Front to back I flopped like a fish, tore off the covers with a whish. My dream was interrupted and the bite had stopped. The fishfinder clutter was like new fallen snow but no matter how hard we looked I could find no bait below, when, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a lone meter mark at 80 feet with bait somewhat near. I knew in a moment that a blackmouth must be there and adjusted the downrigger just a hair, thinking out loud; Irish Cream, Herring Aide, Cookies N Cream, Green Splatterback which will it be? And should I run with a Red Racer, Purple Haze, Army Truck, Moon Glow flasher and see? First at the lure then the rod tip, with a wiggle and bounce came a sure sign that a nice blackmouth had released the clip. With a determined pull my quarry strong, swims to the top, I chant is it clipped? Is it clipped? Is it clipped or not? As the fish got closer, my fishing buddy Bassplayer springs into action, expertly swings the net scooping up the fish in a fraction. I drew in my breath, turned my head down to see, if the beautiful chinook had an extra fin or would it stay with me? I gaze down at him and look from nose to tail, there is an adipose and I start to wail. As we release this beautiful fish, sliding it out of the net, a slap of its tail and we get all wet. With a wink of his eye and a twist of his head the fish swam back into Elger bay and out of sight.

The 2016 Everett Blackmouth derby has come and gone. After weeks of planning, an excellent weather forecast Tony and I met at the Everett boat ramp for our 4:30 departure. We ran in the 18 miles or so to Elger Bay in the dark, arriving just as it was starting to get light. We metered around looking for bait prior to going gear down. Initially we found large concentrations of bait up in the NE corner of the bay. Running two rods we started with a Red Racer flasher/3.5” Herring Aid spoon on one downrigger and a Purple Haze flasher/Herring Aide Coho Killer off the other downrigger. With a 20’setback we chased meter marks in 80-140’ of water. Our trolling speed varied as I tried to run a 45 degree cable angle but was generally 2.1-3.0 MPH on the GPS. We changed gear out here and there but pretty much stuck with the Herring Aid theme.

Most of our action was early in Elger Bay. The action was consistent but went flat after the tide change. We also fished Green bank and the Race Track between Hat and Camano Islands. We were the wild fish masters and had to release everything that we caught. At around 2:00 we hooked a nice fish on the south end of the Race Track but after a few strong runs it ran straight at the boat. Not our day, we could not pick the line up fast enough and the fish swam free. The company was enjoyed and we got to watch two gray whales doing whale things. Overall it was a great day on the water, the only hiccup was with my motor. It seems to have a thing with the Everett Coho Derby. Just like last year we ended up with a tank of bad fuel and the water in the fuel sensor kicked in. We had to stop and blow the system out a couple times before making it safely back to the dock. I know, I know and I do have a canister filter assembly but apparently it does no good buried in the garage somewhere. Note to self: Find it and get it installed…

cobrar543

3/21/2016 4:43:00 PM

When your at Elger Bay, are you trolling right on the side of the shallow bank area when it drops? Or in the shallow bay

rseas

3/21/2016 5:59:00 PM

Both depending on where I locate the bait.

Larry3215

3/21/2016 6:23:00 PM

LOL! Not so great catching but great report!!!

rseas

3/21/2016 10:01:00 PM

Geeze, I need to start proof reading these things...

downriggeral

3/21/2016 11:50:00 PM

Thanks for the report Randy. I'll be sure to torment you about the filter when we see you at Chelan!
Tight lines; can hardly wait for the goodies you prepare for us at the get together - Alan

cobrar543

3/22/2016 8:38:00 AM

Since I live there , next time your up here let me know. If you got room I will join ya

Toni

3/22/2016 9:03:00 AM

Great read as always. Seems like there might be a lot of unclipped Chinook?

BARCHASER10

3/22/2016 6:11:00 PM

Wow. A fish report and some culture too. I'm impressed. I didn't know this website had a bard (at least that's what I think its called).

I don't know where those unclipped fish come from. Blackmouth are supposed to be hatchery fish, so called 90 day wonders. Unclipped Chinooks always seemed to me to be more common in Saratoga Passage and MA7 too. Sometimes I think its BC fish that have moved south some. The Canucks do not fin clip Chinooks.

tylermaster195

3/23/2016 8:44:00 AM

Fun report rseas!

Bobber_Dogging_Gal

3/28/2016 3:27:00 AM

Your write ups are always enjoyable to read and informative. Keep those reports coming and ((((Fish On))))

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