Each week one of the Salmon University experts answers reader questions in our “Ask a Pro” feature. This week’s questions are answered by Tom Nelson. Submit your own question here.

Q: Could you tell me about the area just north of Kingston please? – Walter

The area just north of Kingston is Marine Area 9. It is very good fishing almost year-round. Some of the places you may want to fish include just north of President’s Point, Point No Point, off the oil docks on the Edmonds side of the water, along with Possession Bar or right in front of Kingston itself.

Q:  I have a 21-foot Thunder Jet (Luxor) and my Scotty downrigger is located 36-inches o/c from the stern.  Since the Scotty pole holders failed me (big time) when fishing for Chinook at Cathlamet, I purchased a couple of Folbe’s; although spendy, they appear to be  a great investment.  I realize that the placement of the pole holders is probably more of a personal choice.   My intuition tells me that I should place the pole holder towards the aft of the downrigger.  Would I be correct in my assumption because the pole is now situated so as to keep it from interfering with downrigger pole once the fish hits? – Sam

A:  You are right that the placement of your rod holder is a personal choice.  I think that most people think (as do I) that placing your rod holder in front of your downrigger makes it easier to get to your rod and clear it when a salmon strikes.  It is also the most stable area of your boat.  Playing your fish from the stern of your boat makes netting it from there awkward.

Q:  Why do they allow Area 9 to be open to fish for Kings that are headed for Area 10 while Area 10 is closed for Kings? – Chuck

No-one really knows as WDFW’s meeting with the Muckleshoot Tribe was closed to the public.  Phil Anderson, the past director of WDFW made the decision in secret.  Anderson has now  been appointed to the Pacific Fisheries Board, so you can expect more of these sort of things happening in the future.  It makes no sense to close Area 10 to protect Lake Washington Chinook and not allow sports fishermen to catch them, but allow gillnets to catch them.   Close it to everybody or don’t close it at all.  Certainly don’t leave it open only to the Muckleshoot who catch 70-percent or more of the salmon runs every year.

Tom Nelson

Tom Nelson is the publisher of salmonuniversity.com. Known throughout the Pacific Northwest as the “Dean of Saltwater Fishing,” he has helped develop and test tackle and gear for Scotty, Pro-Troll and Silver Horde, is a regular speaker at area sports shows, has taught more than 5,000 students how to fish during his classes at western Washington community colleges, and is the co-founder of the Puget Sound Anglers.