Great photos, Tuna!
That Brown is a chubby mutha', huh?
I cruised out that way on Saturday afternoon to meet up with some folks that 'guilted' me into a road trip at the last minute. It was well worth the drive on Saturday, but coming home late on Sunday was a tough drive. I was worn out, sore arms, no sleep... A quintessential Salmon River trip, for sure.
The salmon were running in full force- and watching a native Pulaski-ian work his magic on his won strethc of the river was really a sight to behold. Holy crap- it was insane. He averaged LITERALLY over a hundred hook-ups on Sunday and said it's about 'normal'. He landed more Salmon than the three of us could count- and broke off who knows how many just because they were going to be too tough to handle in tight quarters.
What a display.
I hooked a few dozen myself in his own run of the river (which I now lovingly refer to as the CSR- "Chris's Steelhead Run" or more fittingly, the "Free SR") and then we spend Sunday afternoon around Pineville (got two small browns on the noodle rod and centerpin setup, love it) and then finished the day off with several hours a the Sportsman Pool... TONS of people, but hooked up on fish all afternoon and evening.
My arms literally hurt. My buddy did lose a BEAST of a brown trout. The thing had to be at least 15lbs...
It had a nose on it like Gonzo from "The Muppet Show"... Full kype- what a grizzled veteran it was!
Broke him off right at our feet after an epic battle of give and take on 10lb floro... Wow.
Here's a few shots from the weekend outing on the Lake "O" tribs:
This is my stepbrother's buddies house right on the river downtown. You can see where we were fishing (where no one is) and then where the private property begins and the "Town Pool" starts. Big difference!
Here is my stepbrother and his buddy "doubled up" right behind his house. Check out the lack of people downriver. Everyone always gripes about Posted Property, but when you're on the 'good side' of the sign it really kicks arse! It felt like our own little world- and carrying fish to the car was a breeze, ha!
Here is the first one I landed:
Here is a beast "The Salmon Jedi" wailed on in about ten minutes. It is insane to see him manhandle a 30lb King Salmon with a fly rod and 8-10lb test. Truly a magician, no doubt:
Here is my stepbrother netting one:
The funniest sight of the weekend was walking across the bridge at Pineville and seeing an old beat up Honda Civic drive by with the stereo rocking. We looked closer and noticed the car had four salmon hanging out each front door, some so big their tails were dragging on the road. "Only in this town" was all I could say to myself.
We carried ours around a little more professionally- in the back of a truck:
Some Steelhead rolled in at various times during the day on Sunday too. I got a call from my buddies this morning and they said the river has been raised to 750cfs, so any salmon still in the estuary should be on the move supriver right now. Same with all those Steelies, woo hoo! We ahd to keep this one because the leader basically filleted his gill... But it was appreciated by the family who recieved the "donation":
It was a good time, and as always, I learned a lot.
I ended up having a noodle rod given to me- so I may be taking a new approach to the winter Steelheads this year... It is really quite fun- and a lot like 'nymphing' or high-sticking with a fly.
But I think it ups my odds at a bruiser Brown Trout or acrobatic Chromer later this year!
I am booked solid for October weekends, but I can't help but think I will be out there a few weekends in November looking for some of those gigantic Browns or Metalheads! It's quite an amazing fishery, really.
Just busy- and Salmon are ugly. Ha!
Steelhead are the BOMB!!! And big browns are the coolest LOOKING of them all.
I sort of wish the DEC would lay off the salmon stocking and just go CRAZY with Steelhead in there!
They are awesome!