Follow-up To October's Blackmouth Blog

Where does time go? It certainly passes faster and faster each day... Here's a little update on October's blacmouth blog:


The weather was decent and even hit 60-degrees a few days. The two fish limit was a wonderful start to fall; which provided some fun and a meal or two on the BBQ. The fishing was pretty decent with average catches in the 5 to 8 pound range.


By far the best bait was the Acid Bath spoon 40-inches behind a white flasher on overcast days followed by the Jailbait spoon on the brighter days.

Do you really want to put the boat away? Dress warm and head out to have some fun. You never know... the fish could be biting!

Planning Ahead

I realize it is early October, but let me point out a few things that might make future boating/fishing seasons a little more bearable... As a former boat salesman and retailer, I have seen it all or at least heard it. Nothing is worse than planning a fishing derby, going on a well deserved dream vacation, or even a weekend outing away from home only to discover something is missing or not working correctly. It all comes down to planning ahead...


If you're one of the many that tucks the boat away for winter or winterizes the boat at the a dealership, plan on scheduling your boat maintenance (engine and trailer) in March of the following year, well ahead of scheduled outings or vacations. As more and more dealerships are going under due to the economy, there are fewer maintenance shops to service your boat, and the waiting periods can be a few weeks if not over a month to get the boat in. A week or two before vacation in the late spring or summer is not the time to attempt to get into the dealership. It isn't going to happen! On the other hand, if you do have an opportunity to get in during the aforementioned time period, you better check the dealership's reputation carefully. There's generally a pretty good reason folks aren't taking their boats there!


This is a great time to look over all of your required safety equipment. Waiting until the boating season to go buy missing items or that have an old expiration date is bound to be painful if you wait until the last minute.


Also, schedule the local Coast Guard Auxillary (CGA) to inspect your boat to get the required safety sticker- if required in your state. The CGA will key in on your boat and inspect on the water if you do not have a concurrent sticker posted on the portside window. If you are lacking the required safety equipment (or outside the expiration date of flares and CO2 bottle(s) you can (may) get ticketed. At a minimum you will be followed back to the point of entry and towing the boat home with a written warning. You will not be able to launch until the CG Auxillary verifies your boat can and will be safe on the water.


Next, let's look at fishing tackle/equipment. Having a chance to spend several hours each season in a lot of retailer's stores delivering product, one of the most common things I hear are: "They're out of..." "When do you plan to get...." Many of these anglers come through the doors happy yet leave upset- mad at the retailer for not having the gear they want. Keep in mind it may not be the retailer's fault. It might be the manufacturer's or angler demand is great. Deep in the heart of fishing season is not the time to be looking for the gear you want or need- trust me. This year (2009) was exceptionally hard on everyone- manufactures to retails and anglers.

Now, before the new year, is the time to take a look at replenishing your tackle stocks, sending the rods. reels, and downriggers in for repairs- if needed. I am not suggesting spending a ton of money. However, you can get a little at a time and restock as necessary. This will not only save a little time in the long run, but a lot of headaches and money. Save money? Yes, each year just about every retailer adjusts their prices to meet manufacturer costs, shipping, and demand as well as cost of inflation.

Lastly, boating/fishing is suppose to be fun and relaxing. Prior proper planning will help ensure this... "Plan now prevents later!"

See you on the water!

- The Captain

It's Winter Blackmouth Time!

What a summer here in the Northwest! There were numerous days with above average temperatures, and even a few in to the 100-degree range. However, something has happened. It is early October and someone "hit the switch." The temperatures are dropping each day, trees and plants are beginning to show off their pretty reds, yellows and oranges, Mr. Rain has found his way home, and most of our ocean going chinook and coho are well into the rivers system to complete their life cycles.

This morning I found myself digging around the storage shed for winter's fishing attire and accessories: raingear- check, propane hearter- check, ear and hand warmers (hotties)- check, and my 30-year well-seasoned thermos- check. Are these items necesary? Not really. However, they certainly will make a 30-degree morning a whole lot more comfortable- especially the thermos.

There are a few coho still hanging around the South Sound, but it's October! More anglers are staying home, hunting, watching football or golf, and I'll be targeting these immature chinook salmon. I am betting I'll have the water to myself this month- like usual. Would you change you're mind if I mentioned you still had a 2-fish limit through October?

Where will I be fishing? http://www.captaindownriggins.com/GPArticle.htm

If you happen to make it out and see a white/gray 19-foot Livingston, stop by and say hello!

- The Captain

Welcome to Captain Downriggin's

Isn't the internet great? As a kid growing up in the northend of Tacoma, Washington I had to ride my bike or walk to the Swasey [Branch] library to research a topic that intersted me (fishing). In those days only a handful of books related to fishing were available- most of which encompassed fly fishing. Hoping to find useful information on steelhead or salmon fishing; which was nearly unheard of in those days, I resorted to learning fly fishing for trout from noted fly fishing greats/authors such as Bergman, Bates, and Brooks (et al). Luckily I had family that owned property on Washington's Dechutes River to improve my poor casting skills, yet I caught a few fish to entertain the family's dinner over the weekend away from home.

In 1974 my parents bought their first boat- a bright yellow Bayliner aptly named the Banana Boat. With both parents working Monday through Friday the weekends were left for cruising aroung the Sound. Isn't wasn't long before my grandfather Morry suggested we use the boat for fishing in Puget Sound. Grandpa Morry was no stranger to fishing. In fact, he was one of the first to recognize chinook salmon were deep water feeders and help develope methods to catch these aggresive fish. The method was simple - no fishing pole - a heavy window sash attached to cotton cord dropped over the stern of the boat to intercept large fish (circa 1930).

There were very few weekends the family didn't fish, but I can distinctly remember mom complaining about the cold of winter although dressed quite heavily. Covered with what appeared to be half an elk and moose, and a homemade knitted sweater, she hanged in like a warrior when the bite was on!

Some 5-years later, in my first year as a teenager, I landed a job (my first) with the Tacoma News Tribune delivering news along the route just north of Fred Meyers on south 19th Street along the main arteries of Stevens and Verde. Weekends were greeted with excitement and mom or dad helped my deliver the news in the dark before hitching the boat each weekend morning.

Fishing had some how taken a back seat in the family. However, I manage to save enough money and convinced mom and dad that I was ready to buy my first boat- a 12-foot Klamath with 6hp Johnson. The fishing continued... How in the hell I made it through high school is far beyond me...

Some 35-years later, at the age of 44, I can now sit at home, type a few words in the search box, and read the myriad of search results that appear before me within seconds. Now, I am a manufacturer of custom salmon tackle, but the sole purpose of Captain Downriggin's is to give the angler an opportunity to learn fishing the Puget Sound without having the tedious task I had- either you went to the library or approach the old farts (salts) at the boathouse- if you had the balls.

I have been very fortunate to spend most of my life fishing Puget Sound. Not many people can claim this nor have they ever documented their time on the water. Keeping a journal is one of the biggest mistakes and angler can make, and yet I have managed. Regardless of how much time or how detailed the notes, one will soon discover there are no conclusive results. There are no sure hard fast rules, but there's is guidance...

I hope that you take the time and read through a few of the articles I have posted on www.captaindownriggins.com. I am sure you will find very useful specific information on various areas in Puget Sound and start catching fish with regularity.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me directly, or better yet, consider joining the forum- Pacific Northwest Salmon Anglers Online which is available through my website.

Very rspectfully,
John Abbott