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Saltwater Salmon Fishing to Reopen by Mark Yuasa Seattle Times, October 30, 2003

Starting this weekend, salmon anglers can once again let the good times roll in many marine areas.

Salmon fishing reopens in the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Sekiu to Port Angeles, San Juan Islands, and areas from Port Townsend south to Olympia.

The tides this week bode well for fishing, and the key to finding feeder chinook is to locate the schools of herring and candlefish.

"Area 9 (northern Puget Sound-Admiralty Inlet) is usually the best spot for blackmouth (resident chinook), and there are plenty of chums around to catch," said Keith Robbins, owner of A Spot Tail Salmon Guide in Seattle.

Northern areas worth a try are Possession Bar, Midchannel Bank off Port Townsend, Pilot Point, southeast side of Whidbey Island, Elger Bay, Camano Head, Saratoga Passage and from Sandy Point to Clinton.

The San Juan Island region is another area that turns out good November blackmouth catches.

"The eastern island region is where I'd go for blackmouth," said Tony Floor, head of salmon policy for Northwest Marine Trade Association. "Places like Fidalgo Head, Coyote (Bank), Tide Point, Thatcher Pass and Lopez Pass could be good."

Central Puget Sound (Area 10) has been commercially fished once a week for chums this month but should be fair for blackmouth at Jefferson Head, West Point south of Shilshole Bay, Point Monroe, Kingston, Allen Bank off Blake Island, and Manchester and Southworth areas.

The Tengu Blackmouth Derby in Elliott Bay starts Sunday at the Seacrest Boathouse in West Seattle, and is held most Sundays through Jan. 18. Cost is $12 per angler. Details: 206-324-7600. Last year, fishing was fairly good in the bay off Duwamish Head and near Todds Shipyard.

For those who can't wait until the weekend, south-central Puget Sound is open for salmon fishing, but has been fair at best off places such as the Clay Banks and slag pile off Point Defiance Park in Tacoma.