Chambers Creek

We went out to Chambers Creek this morning.  The paddle out down the creek was pretty nice on our launch.  

We got out of the creek and went decently far out into the sound, but didn't really see any salmon on the FFs.  Tried mooching for a bit anyway, but got bored, and it turned into bottom fishing fest.




That wouldn't have been so bad, but we were getting triple hook-ups of these:





But, we did catch quite a few Sole and M even boated a copper rockfish.  Oh there was a ton of Sculpin too.

Hopefully the Chambers Creek Hatchery Nooks will show up soon.

Edit:  Almost forgot.  Getting  back in to chambers Creek at low tide is bad news.  We had to drag our boats through ~6 inches of water for a long ways, and when we finally got back to the bank we launched from, there was no end to the mud.  I was hip dip at one point  

Although the salmon weren't there yet, the dog fish and sole kept things lively. The dogfish hat trick was pretty amusing to say the least. Hopefully the salmon action is equally exciting in a couple weeks.

Chambers creek is not somewhere to return on a minus tide. The launch there at low tide is doable although a pain as long as you come back on a high tide. can't wait for the nookies to show up there!!

Are those dogs edible?

This site indicates that someone eats them

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/sharks/species/Dogfish.shtml

The hanging dogfish looks pregnant.  They bear live young.

Lots of folks eat 'em.  

http://www.amazon.com/dogfish-cookbook-Russ-Mohney/dp/0914718134

http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=IPg&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=spiny+dogfish+recipe&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

The spiny dogfish is marketed in the United States under the name cape shark. It is marketed in Great Britain under the name rock salmon. The name "spiny" originates from spines located on the front of each dorsal fin. Dogfish, like other sharks, do not have a skeletal system composed of bone, but rather of cartilage. Also like sharks, the dogfish lacks a urinary tract. Urea in dogfish collects in the bloodstream and is then secreted through the skin. Because of this captured dogfish must be bled quickly and dressed otherwise the urea in the blood will contaminate the meat.  So bleed them and gut them before throwing them in the cooler.

For cold water sharks like dogfish and salmon sharks, it's better to cut their throats deeply between the gills and front fins rather than the tail. Their "blood pressure" isn't as high as warm water sharks, so they don't bleed as well with the tail cuts.

The whole problem with sharks is that they regulate their body chemistry and blood "salinity" with urea, and you want to get that stuff out for good eating. Concentration varies with the species. That means getting rid of the blood first, then getting any remainders out of the meat. Fortunately for eating and care, dogfish are relatively low in urea compared to some other species.

To solve this problem you must marinate the fish for at least 4 hours (overnight is best) in a simple solution of lemon juice and water. Place the fish steaks or fillets in a shallow dish and add just enough cold water to cover. Add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice or 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar for every pound of fish. Other vinegars will work as well used in the same proportion as the cider vinegar.

You can use orange juice if you like, but since it is less acidic than lemon use 2 tablespoons for every pound of fish. Don’t afraid to experiment with different marinades. As long as they are acidic they’ll do the trick.

Thanks for the instructions on how to prepare "rock salmon," demonick! If things get really weird with the economy, then the weird now have another means to economize!
Oh, almost forgot to comment on the fishing trip:   At least you guys didn't have drizzle!

" Hopefully the salmon action is equally exciting in a couple weeks"

Can't wait for that.

I am bringing my SOT Yak back to Graham this weekend. I was thinking if you want to do a Group launch at Point Solo, we can have those without base passes leave there rigs at the DuPont strip mall and car pool to Base parking area.

Hendog

We've still got about a month before Chambers starts to shape up. And after the chinook come coho too until September. I guess you guys will check you tide charts before planning your next trip. Thanks for the report and pics.

Z

Salmon U says fishing on the incoming tide is preferable at that location anyway. From the depth of the low tide creek, this seems like obvious reasoning.  (of note, they also say those nooks show up in early August, and I'm always looking for a reason to be out on the water!)

Sunnyside Beach is also a decent launch option.

I'll pick up a JBLM sticker on the 22nd if I remember or don't get myself into something else.

Also though, Nisqually hatcheries produce larger fish (20-30 pounds compared to the 12-15 pounders in Chambers), so once Nisqually is on, it would probably be the better target.

I need to go pick up some Pt Wilsons and sinker slides.  The downrigger looks like overkill in most of the delta/creek opening areas.

Almost everyone out there will jig because the fish really concentrate in tight schools. But because they're tight they're going in and out of the creek mouth for a week or and the fish are pretty dark. BTW you're right, Nisqually is the place you want to go to get larger fish. Last year I saw the tribal guys pull in a 45+ pound chinook.

Z

The hanging dogfish looks pregnant.  They bear live young.

I don't know if it was pregnant or just 2ndflooryaks nemesis  . He kept pulling in 1/2 eaten flatfish. At on point he sounded all poetic about it; "these dogsifh are eating my sole".

sweet!  still fun to reel in the doggies.  i'll be out there in the next couple weeks also.  where is there a spot in the creek to launch?  i've looked but didn't find one.  i use the Steilacoom boat launch.

Bobby

If you have a cart, or your boat is light enough, you can launch from sunnyside beach and paddle a few hundred yards.

There is a gravel pull off on the side of the road just past the dry storage. It's a muddy mess during low tide. I recommend launching at low tide and coming back at high tide. Try to avoid this launch on a minus tide!! The mud sucks enough without another 10' of it being exposed. If you are alone your best bet is a cart and paying the $5 fee to park @ sunnyside beach.

Wow reading this thread has really sparked up my interest.  How feasible is this for a beginner?  I've only taken the yak out on fishing trips out to lakes at this point.