05-04-2008, 05:07 PM
Have either of you guys fished fall Chums over in WA? I went last November to a buddy's house in Gig Harbor and we fished the Hood Canal. Huge Chums were thick near the hatcheries. My arms were so tired after a few hours I called it a day. Fish were probably 6 to 12 lbs.? with a few larger males. Caught them on corkie-yarn with pencil weight drift setups. Fought like hell. We smoked most of the fish and grilled two of the smallest and freshest fish; both with sea lice still in the gills. Somewhat surprising to me, the grilled was superb eating. The smoked as good as any typically sold smoked salmon I've had outside Sockeye, Copper River, e.g., dark reds. Heading over again this year. After borrowing a huge rod and reel last year that was much too big for me (and the fish) I put together my own gear. Went on ebay and found a mint DamQuick model 330 spinning reel to go with my vintage Fenwick 8.6 spinning rod that I hadn't used since the 70's. Loaded the reel with Spiderwire braided 20lb test. I should be set for November.
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