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Samish River Report
Skagit County, WA

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Details

09/04/2015
56° - 60°
Bottom Fishing From Shore
Chinook Salmon
Chartreuse
Cloudy
Jig
Morning
09/04/2015
4
5043

Got up at 2:30 this morning and out the door before 4am to hit pre-sunrise at the Samish river mouth. I was stunned to see a lot full of early-birds wanting to hit morning bite. I can't actually ever remember the Samish river being so packed for anything!

Getting down to our spot I was also stunned to see how many people were there. It was as shoulder-to-shoulder combat fishing as you can get. The bite was really on today. I saw fish constantly being caught until the tide was too high to fish.

I had three hookups, one broke my line, the other two spit the hook. All were takers rather than bumps that I snagged. In spite of personally getting skunked it would have been a 5-star day rating if not for all the people. One particularly vocal local curmudgeon kept insisting any photos needed the release of everybody at the river, so I just promised to not show faces. He gave me the bird in a few shots I took (see photo), but I think his bark was worse than his bite and was just pulling my chain.

Anyhow, great day but too many people. I can only imagine how the weekend will be.


Comments

punkrocker
9/4/2015 1:09:00 PM
fish and game say no jigs? is this true?
tleeMV
9/4/2015 1:37:00 PM
HAHAHAHA nice clown picture
ilvcassidylake
9/4/2015 2:17:00 PM
The samish river still on hoot owl restriction?
sunfighter
9/4/2015 5:25:00 PM
How come there's always one rude clown in every crowd?
BluDog
9/4/2015 6:10:00 PM
I was up there as well. SO MANY PEOPLE. It was crazy. Saturday will be even worse. Fishing was so-so for the amount of people there. Not sure I will go back. Stinky, nasty smelling. You have to pay to get in. I heard they will be there tomorrow checking everyone.

No Jigs and Hoot Owl is still in place. Fish are also getting dark and stinky. I'd rate it a 2 because of all the rude people!!!
KING KONG COHO
9/4/2015 6:15:00 PM
Are you serious???? Fishing with 1,000 of your "Best Friends?" Just rolled in from SE Alaska after a 6 day trip slaying LARGE Northern Coho and boy am I happy I went after seeing this circus> No offense to the clown pictured! No Thanks!!!
Anonymous
9/4/2015 6:31:00 PM
How could anyone in their right mind part take in that fishery? partake is the correct spelling---I think ---lol
Seattle Pat
9/4/2015 6:41:00 PM
That's just the point- nobody in their right mind DOES take part in that fishery! Just ask any of the folks there if they think they're in their right mind.
Fishing for pinks is great fun, but once you hook into a king, it's like a gambling addiction...you always stand a chance of winning if you put your quarter in that slot machine - no matter how many others are at the casino!
ChrisG
10/9/2017 8:22:53 PM
Seattle Pat, its pretty clear that you’ve learned the Samish river quite well! Just a shoot in the dark here... Would you be willing to through a few useful tips to a guy who is looking to fish that river in a respectful manner?? I say that, as I was up there last weekend and saw a group of 20 guys snagging fish (Bow rd. Area), it was not encouraging to see... So out of the respect I have for this great fishery, I’m trying to learn how to fish it correctly and respectfully. Thanks for any advice and insight. I’d be happy to private message if preferred. Thanks again!
elk004
9/4/2015 6:46:00 PM
Yes Bluedog, it does look like a mess. How much room is there to fish there? It looks like a 10 foot slot which I can only imagine how a lot of the fish are hooked.
elk004
9/4/2015 6:46:00 PM
Yes Bluedog, it does look like a mess. How much room is there to fish there? It looks like a 10 foot slot which I can only imagine how a lot of the fish are hooked.
Nate Tomyn
9/4/2015 7:35:00 PM
Seattle Pat is right, totally worth it when you hook on, I hate fishing around people I don't know, but if you go there enough you will start to know people. Lots of regulars at that river. You have about five to ten feet on each side of you elk, so yeah ten feet.

No Jig rule?
That's interesting because most the people there are using jigs from what I heard.

Friend of mine caught a 16-17lb today out of there. He has been up there almost everyday since it openned. I will give it a few weeks and hit the river when they are HEAVY in there.
Seattle Pat
9/4/2015 9:44:00 PM
I'd recommend going as often as you can between now and Oct. 1st as the tides permit. The brighter/better quality fish will be coming in now and there was no doubt they were heavy in there today. Lots of folks fishing all the way up the stream. Boe Rd. and Thomas St. bridge were both packed today too.
krolelov
9/5/2015 4:00:00 AM
What is the most productive set up out there?
natetreat
9/5/2015 7:26:00 PM
This comment thread is why I don't come to walakes anymore.
Mike Carey
9/6/2015 8:26:00 AM
It's not walakes, sorry your feelings are hurt.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709