[ceviche]

Anyone have any experience fishing by the Purdy Bridge, north of Gig Harbor and halfway driving distance betweeen Tacoma and Bremerton? I drive by there every now and then when visiting my mom. I fished there early this afternoon to no success. I went back there again a few hours later on my way back to Seattle but was put off by the sight of the fat man in the dress under the bridge. :EEK

 

[Peter Pancho]

Believe it or not, that is suppose to be one of the best places for sea-run cutthrout.

"Follow Me and I will make you fishers of Men"
Matthew 4:19

 

[ceviche]

From what I've heard, some kid pulled a 15 lb fish out of there, but there was no word as to what he was using. Probably a buzz bomb. That seemed to be the lure de jour for most people down there.

To those who've done "The Spit," what have you used? I'm still waiting for womeone on this forum to produce a picture of the reverse spider. :HMMM

 

[Greg]

ceviche,

I've fished there once or twice...well, maybe a little more than that...OK, maybe a whole lot more.

There's a run of Kings returning to Burley Creek at Purdy beginning in mid-August which loads both sides of the channel with lead-chuckers. I watched a guy weigh one that went 26lbs - legal hookup on a Point Wilson Dart. I took one on 8/22/2002 with my 8wt using the Pacific Sand Lance pattern in the Fly Tying section; it weighed 19lbs and had only the slightest hint of color to it.

Yep, some folks fish for Cutts there throughout the year as well.

Greg

 

[rockfish]

Fish it all the time

hey greg arent those fish minter creek fish with a small perctage actually going to burley? its like when that kid drowned in his kayak 2 years ago in gig harbor and washed up on the spit and that old salvage company there in purdy. the current takes eveything around the spit. in december last year there was many chum salmon jumping in front of the bridge there and no salmon in burley. they were minter creek chum. thats what makes purdy such a good fishery as far as I know. Ben

on average 1 baby salmon is killed for every 15 herring shocked for sale

 

[Greg]

Fish it all the time

Rockfish,

Nope. I had the pleasure of talking with the guy who planted the original population into Burley Creek with his buddy some thirty or so years ago. The Kings you find at the Purdy Bridge beginning in mid-August are actually returning to Burley Creek.

Greg

 

[rockfish]

Fish it all the time

I dont know, the creek is pretty empty for that large amount of fish jumping, they do have collection boxes off bethel/burley rd. but the creek does not get all of those salmon thats in front of the bridge. think of how many fish are there sometimes. they just cruise with the current and stay in the area before going to the hatchery. next august we we settle this dispute. Ben

on average 1 baby salmon is killed for every 15 herring shocked in the tank for sale.

 

[Steelheader69]

Fish it all the time

Rockfish, not sure how long you've been observing rivers, but for most part in small rivers and creeks, Kings wait for one good rain and run in on a big rush. They rarely just trickle in to them. I know the creek in question, and have seen huge schools of kings chock river full one day, then be empty the next. July/August sounds about right for up there. Normally the Minter fish come in later. I've seen many a small streams (I won't name them, since they are open to fish and most don't fish them EVIL ) that recieve big runs of silvers and kings in areas you can't imagine sucker fish living in them. But, you have usually a week timeframe to fish them. The fish make one big rush and that's it. If you miss it, then you've missed fishing on that river/creek.

Don't be surprised Ben, normally small rivers will get swamped fast and then be done just as quick.

 

[rockfish]

Fish it all the time

all I know is that I've never seen more than a few salmon together in the creek before. I live on long lake and it runs along mullenex and bethel/burley rd so its pretty close to my house and those thousands I mean thousands of salmon jumping in front of the bridge must be headed to the hatchery about a mile and a half away. thats all. its a good src stream thou. Ben

 

[Steelheader69]

Fish it all the time

If you ever see a couple UPS guys fishing from the shore, I'm usually one of them. The routes I deliver are out on the spit. I know most of the prime places (and am lucky enough to have access to tons of private beaches with awesome flyfishing spots). I guess if any of you want to be my helper for Xmas, you just bring your fly rod and get some great fishing for breaktime. EVIL

I use a variety of methods. I mostly fly fish though. I use a few patterns I tie myself. Catch a variety of fish on them. Never seen the reverse spider. Will see if I can get pictures of the flies I use posted here. Fishing is good almost year around. Luckily, most places I fish are open year around, and have resident silvers and cutties rolling around. You have good runs of chums, silvers, kings, and cutties roaming the inlets. I've probably put as much, if not more time then most (only because I'm normally out there 5 days a week and have rod in truck at all times for emergencies lol). Don't need anything fancy. Just a good baitfish imitation and just the right retrieve. Twitch, strip strip, pause, twitch, and so on. Usually will bring a good strike.

 

[John McKindley]

Anyone have any experience fishing by the Purdy Bridge, north of Gig Harbor and halfway driving distance betweeen Tacoma and Bremerton? I drive by there every now and then when visiting my mom. I fished there early this afternoon to no success. I went back there again a few hours later on my way back to Seattle but was put off by the sight of the fat man in the dress under the bridge. :EEK

Well this reply is a little late but I just saw your question. If we're thinking of the same bridge it's a great place to fish for sea run cutthroat. There's a restaurant right next to it and oyster shells along the sides of the bridge. I own a piece of property in Grape View near Purdy and Allen. I've caught cutties there since I was a kid.

 

[Peyton00]

16 yrs .......just a little late.