Probably make a good doorstop.

And what a great life lesson for the boys

Had great day on Puget Sound MA11 fishing silvers earlier this October. Perfect weather, sunny and calm. Bagged a couple silvers and released a couple late kings. At one point we noticed a boat all by itself out in the center well away from most of the fishermen. It was quite a distance off but we occasionally saw an orange flag waved, like the kind used when a waterskier or tuber is down in the water. We picked up and moved to another area but could still see the boat quite a ways off. Passing fishing boats seemed to give that boat a wide berth. After trolling unsuccessfully a bit I looked over at my son and said "Ya know, if I was stuck or broke down out here, I would want somebody to stop". We saw the flag again so we pulled up down riggers and headed over. Was a father and 2 young boys. Fairly newer very nice boat. The dad was ecstatic to see us and was offering cash, credit card, Venmo, anything for help. He had tools and seemed fairly knowledgeable but couldn't get it started. Most of the newer boats are heavily electronic so it may have been over my old school pay grade to mess with it. I did ask the stupid question "was the kill switch lanyard intact". I told him to toss us a line and we'd tow him in. We were about 4 miles from the docks and I was able to pull him at around 6-7mph. After many thanks so much, we left the docks to continue fishing. I received nor wanted no compensation, their safety was enough. Again, at the end of the day if I was in need of assistance I sure would like someone to stop and offer up.

I didn't want to say anything, but since you bring it up, yes, I think the new format sucks. I used to read the forum pretty regularly, but now sometimes I just go "eh" or scan the Wa posts. Just giving my 2 cents worth here.

Fished Buoy 10 out of Ilwaco, Wa. Thursday - Saturday (24th- 26th). Made the 3 hour drive down from Puyallup early (4am) Thursday morning. Had the boat in the water by 7. High tide was at 7:45 so after a brief stopper anchovys and ice at the bait dock we were on our way. This was the first day after a 3 day fishing closure of area 591 (from buoy 10 upstream). Low tidal coefficient so Bob and I (there were just the two of us) dropped lines as soon as we got onto main river. Nothing much happened so we headed upriver towards the Megler-Astoria bridge. Lots of boats up there but plenty room. I hooked up 10 minutes after dropping an anchovy on a helmet head behind an 11" green skateboard dodger. We veered away from the fleet as this fish was on a mission. There were times I thought he might spool me.1/2 hour later he's in the net. My first thought "Holy Sh*t!" that's a 30# fish. But he had his adipose fin intact. Beautiful wild king salmon, but alas, he went back. Regs stated hatchery only this year. The bite was on. There were nets out everywhere we looked. At one point Bob and I had a double on. I had to put my rod in the holder to get the net for us. Lost mine, but got his. Most of the fish we netted were in the 18-20#range. We kept 2 kings and 1 silver and netted 10 fish between us. My day was made from the get go with that first pig that I released. Weather was calm, water flat, temps warm.
The next 2 days were ok fishing but nothing like Thursday. Overall we netted 16 fish and kept 6.
Seeing is believing, watch the video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbdRzeF-L0Q

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Iv'e done well trolling not far from Mossyrock ramp. After launching skirt the shoreline heading up the lake (away from the dam). You'll pass a bay and go around a point. Approx 2 miles from ramp you should see a small island not far off the shoreline. Start fishing just past this island and follow shoreline watching for a large boulder at waters edge (depending on lake elevation). Adjust your depth according to thermocline. White or pink wiggle hoochies, colored flies with a wiggle fin, can be productive. Tip them with a worm or shrimp. Good luck.

Hey Eldregde, I was on Riffe a week ago. Fishing was slow in the morning but picked up afternoon. Had best action heading up the lake from Mossyrock Park ramp. After launch head up lake away from dam, stay on righthand shoreline. After passing small island we trolled in 80-100 ft of water. You'll see a large rock on shore. Pink wiggle hoochie, pink fly with wiggle disc, were the hot setup 20-40 ft deep. tipped everything with a bit of worm. 50-50 split of rainbows and silvers.
I too make a point of hitting buoy 10 fishery. Usually stay in Illwaco and moor for the duration I'm down there.
All good!

Good morning Dave. Used the Fish hawk a buddy gave me. It seems to work pretty well. I understand the batteries are sealed and good for 6 years? Use it til it dies I guess.

Forgot to mention long line them if they're right on top and the boat spooks em. I put just enough weight to keep the dodger below the surface. Good luck

Went there yesterday. Windy and slow- 1 fish. Wind laid down at 1 and the bite started. Water temp 49.5 surface 45-44 down through water column. 3 of us caught 8 keepers and lost at least that many. All were caught no deeper than say 20’.
Small 3” green gold Rapala killed it but also had hits on blue hoochie, pink hoochie, black Wooly bugger with smiley blade
Trolled 1.5 mph. Everything had a small dodger 18” ahead
East end of lake in front of condos in 80’ water

Might be some near the mouth of Clark Fork River and Denton Slough. Most of the bass I here taken are just west of the lake on Pend Oreille River

Yeah. Definitely a wall hanger. That year my saw of choice falling Cedar, White Pine, and Hemlock on the steep helicopter logging shows was a 2100 Husquvarna with 36" bar. They would fly me up to the side the mountain and drop me of at a makeshift pad carved in and I'd fall, limb, cut to sawlog size, measure and tag the tops to scale later. Cut for about 6 hrs then meet the chopper for my ride back. These were huge trees. To say it was dangerous would be an understatement. Got into construction not too long after the show ended. Decided I wanted to live a long(er) life.

I love that sepia pic with my brother. I was a Sawyer for Columbia Helicopter back then.
Yeah the wind can certainly make or break you on the lakes.
Tight lines for all

Just installed the App. Pretty cool. Typed in Speelyia area. Crap they're calling for snow there tomorrow and Wednesday. We ever gonna get spring around here? Definitely want to try the lake. Its about 2 1/2 hrs from where I am in Puyallup, not bad. Whats on your fishing agenda this year? Had a pretty good beard way back when my early days in Montana circa 1977, me and younger brother. I'm on left age 22

Great info Dozer! Haven't fished it yet but definitely on my radar. Thanks!