Fish, Fur, Fowl: Pass on fishing traditions

It’s time to take the kids fishing.

Pinks have arrived at many local beaches making it a prime time to get the young ones out and get them hooked on fishing.

On a recent outing to Admiralty Inlet, the beach was alive with the sound of “Fish On!” It wasn’t the fast action you usually see during the peak of a run but there was constant action nonetheless.

The key is to get to the beach a couple hours before a tide change and fish until a couple of hours after it. This is when the pinks are on the move and the most active.

Pink Buzz Bombs, spinners, or anything else that is pink and that you can cast will probably work.

Most anglers will use a pink Buzz Bomb and a quick cast, and a few tugs of your line are all you need.

Kids find this type of fishing enjoyable when the action is hot.

Silver salmon will be in the area soon as well.

Reports from the peninsula have good numbers of silvers being caught out in the shipping lanes and they are headed this way. Once they get here, you will want to switch up colors and try something a bit brighter. I like the peach colored Buzz Bombs and green or blue Krocodiles.

Some anglers have begun to catch kings on the Samish River.

Going after kings can be tough, especially if you do not have an experienced person showing you the ropes, but I will try to give you some pointers.

Remember to fish the low tides. At this time, fish will congregate into smaller, deeper holes and here is where you want to concentrate your efforts.

I use salmon eggs with a bit of red yarn.

If the current is swift, use a small split shot to keep the lure near the bottom.

Along the bottom, you are going to feel subtle bites as the salmon picks it up in its mouth. It will take a few hits on your lure before you really get used to the bite.

Remember these are not going to be bite-and-run type hits, just a subtle strike like a twig bumping your line.

Once you are hooked you are really hooked.

Be sure to be courteous down there as well. Some anglers are not the most considerate people, but for the most part they are.

Hunters are really looking forward to all the seasons that become available today. Archery deer, grouse and of course bear season are some of your choices.

Archery deer hunters should have an easier time this year in the woods. The weather has been wetter making walking around quietly a bit easier. I hope to get some early reports so I can fill you in.

Grouse hunting is another one of my favorites. There is nothing like the first opportunity to get out in the woods and put some game on the table.

I like to walk the higher gravel roads around Finney Creek early in the morning.

Other areas between Sedro-Woolley and Concrete also have good numbers of these tasty birds.

As I began, be sure to take a kid fishing and pass it on. Until next time be safe and I look forward to hearing from you.