The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-05-04
SHELTON MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON FRIDAY MAY - 894
Fishing on the SkOkOmish River.


men left Tacoma on journey to the
Skokomish river; at the foothills OF
the Olympic mountains, distance OF
about 70 miles, being within 40 miles
of the Pacific ocean. A steamboat
ride of five hours among the manv
islands OF the Sound brought us to
Shelton, the prosperous lumber town
OF Mason county. We arrived in the
evening and ascended the brow of
the hill which skirts the town to the
northward, and prepared our evening
meal. At 9 p. m. we started in the
GOODNESS of the evening and walked
about eight miles, and with sigh of
relief each of us threw off a pack
that had increased in weight until
ones shoulders seemed to be cut off.
1t was 2 o'clock in the morning when
we unrolled our blankets and with a.
fire at our feet, shot gun near to the
best mans hand, and feeling that a
cougar might visit us before day.
break, we laid ourselves down to sleep.
A salute from our twelve-gauge Par
ker In early morn reused the tired
people and off we started for the
Skokomish river. 1t was a good
thing that some of the party did not
know that the walk was only half
over, for it was s o'clock when we an
preached the end of our Journey.
Suddenly we came to point where
the road shoots down into deep val
ley, and at its foot a mountain tor
rent rushed and roared. Its dark green,
glacial waters gave promise of fish
that would test our powers to catch
and it did. Immense trees of fir,
cedar and spruce reared their lofty
heads 200 and 300 feet high on both
sides of the stream. On the other
side of the river the Olympic noun
tains commenced to rise, tier on tier,
like seats in Roman amphitheatre
On level sandy beach at the forks
OF the river we camped, built a fire,
fried the bacon, and with boiled coffee
and pheasant, that one of the party
killed in the morning, enjoyed Iuxu-
rious meal.
Preparing our fishing tackle we
started off in different directions, and
on roll call that night some beautiful
trout were proudly displayed. Sup
per over we gathered about the camp
fire and laid plans for the morrow. At
o'clock we rolled up in blankets, and
with the moon and stars shining down
from the clear sky, we were soon in
the arms of Morpheus. Daylight
reused everybody, two of the party
starting up the north fork for a couple
of miles. On our way back, with
moderate catch, cast my line above
huge log which lay across the stream,
in view of the camp. 1t was ON this
log several weeks before, that caught
81 inch trout, and it was with pleas
ant memories that 1 reached this spot
again, and as l cast my spoon about
it l got strike, not bite. By the
way the reel sung I knew it was fast
to big trout. Grandly he sailed down
stream with his dorsal fin cutting
through the water. Would he never
stop? My line had nearly reached the
end and hope was almost gone, when
he changed his course and came
me. 1 recovered the slack line as fast
as possible, then quick sharp rushes
Kept me on the anxious seat for five
| minutes which seemed an hour. His
efforts became gradually more feeble,
and Handed fine eighteen inch trout.
The hunter of the party shot two
pheasants, a duck and rabbit, and
with trout, we had tempting meal.
Next morning we went down the
river, fishing until noon, when we
were to depart On our homeward jour-
nov. This mornings fish netted me
nv largest catch. Saturday morning
found us in Tacoma, tired and sun
burned, but anxious to make the trip
again.
In wading the Skokomish river it is
extremely advisable to wear heavy
woolen underclothing, for if the water
is not ice, it is nearly so.
The best time to fish in the Skoko-
mish is from August 1st to 10th.
Between the forks and big rifle
about half mile below, you ought to
catch some fine fish. A sharp bend
in the river, below the rifle, will bring
YOU to some deep water, where you
will have to break through the woods,
but lust as soon as you do this deep
pool should yield you large, red
striped beauty. 1 saw John Holgate
catch one in this hole 26 inches long,
and each one will represent an amount
of Measure and excitement that only
! a front fisher can understand.
A good plan in casting your spoon
is to take six or seven coils OF line IN
YOUR hand. whirl your spoon and let