Hood Canal chum salmon fly fishing
The deluge of rain in the past couple of weeks has swollen rivers that are now overflowing into Puget Sound. As if on cue, chum salmon, having amassed in huge numbers in the waters of the Hood Canal, are now running up rivers and creeks to spawn and die. The annual chum run is one of the hallmark events for Northwest fly fishermen. Chums (or dog salmon) are a favorite sport fish because they readily take a fly and are full of fight once hooked.
In the past few days, my friends and I have been getting our chum “fix” casting to pods of feisty fish as they aggregate in estuaries along the Hood Canal. These aggressive fish don’t hesitate to take your line to the backing and are a challenge to land. Each time I come back from a chum fishing trip, I am so grateful to live in such an amazing area.
