Shrimping
Spring days in May always make me think of time on the water after one of our most favorite things to catch and eat—shrimp ! In Washington fishing days are very limited for these delicious critters so we try to get after them as much as possible. Northern Hood Canal and Discovery Bay are great local places to shrimp.
Shrimp traps/pots are typically put down in 150-300 feet of water baited with what we affectionately call – the stinkbait. Bright orange with spots and stripes and sometimes exceeding 8-10 inches in length spot prawns are attracted to the most oily and smelly of baits. The secret composition of this bait is a closely guarded secret of many shrimp boat captains including myself. This smelly concoction is always a memorable experience—often on the boat and clothes long after.
The opener was a bit rainy and breezy on the Hood Canal this year but the weather did manage enough sun breaks to get in a nice shorelunch between pulls. Limits of shrimp ( 80 apiece ) were had shortly after and we ran for the launch shortly after noon. Back at the Treefrog Woods we all enjoyed the first fresh shrimp of the season w/ wasabi and ponzu sauce. Some of us even like them raw!
David and Tiffany Drewry | P.O. Box 763, Port Townsend, WA 98368-0763 | (360) 379-0906