Post by Speyducer on Jul 19, 2010 18:58:50 GMT
July 3rd to 10th 2010:
A good week was had by all (eventually!!)
The "rear gunner" left it to the very last moment, and on the very morning of flying outta there, a final attempt to hook into a legendary Dean chinook was made by sneaking down past the invisible grizzly bears to the cut bank a little afore 6am
Within minutes of starting, the need for a good drag was evident, as it ripped into over 100 yards of backing before wits were gathered, and the glimmer of hope became a beacon.
Having gradually regained line on the reel, but only by following the fish to its new position well downstream, I realised why we used such tough gear - no compromises - Meiser 14' #9/10 MKS, Danielsson HD 11fourteen with 280yds 100lb gsp & a 650 skagit with 15' T17, 25lb maxima green, & a large cone weighted 4" chartreuse/blue/black with 3/0 gami;
I have never experienced such a tough fighting fish, but then, I was only 1.5 miles from the salt.
Every sinew strained and every part of the tackle was tested to the limit, yet the fish happily swam in the strongest current without budging.
However, no quarter was given, and when the fish unbalanced itself (being a European, I could not bring myself to attempt much horizontal alternating sidestrain as shown to me for steelies), I took a slight advantage, and with a second or third attempt, simply 'beached' the beastie, nose into the steep boulder margin, and grasped the wrist.
The fish had a good depth and chrome appearance
and a huge tail...
measuring out at 40" snout to tailfork, and 24.5" girth:
Easily unhooked - and after the in-water pictures - release was accompanied by a powerful tail stroke and away....
The tackle....
Time was still on my side, with only half an hour attendance at the riverside done, I felt that another cast or three was appropriate. I then did what I had never felt the need to before with any fish - I changed to a new section of 25lb maxima!
After spotting another fish rolling above my stance, I went back up to the start point to cover it, and was 'rewarded' with another display of testing out the Danielsson's drag - and starting from the 'Medieval' setting, a further three cranks of the drag were needed (taking it to 'pure evil' setting) before this second fish slowed down - funny, I had last seen that section of the backing (some 140+ yards into it) when I originally wound it on -
& I thought I had 'control'. The fish had run to & stopped/slowed down in mid-river below me, and some semblance or order was restored when I got down towards the fish, and heaved it to within 2 or 3 rod-lengths out. He did show a couple of times, and it was every bit as large as the first, and just as reluctant to be pulled out of the strong stream.
After 10+ minutes of steady strain, and without either party going more mental than the first run, the hook simply pulled, and he was gone!
I was left dazed, and somewhat tempted to have another cast, but I thought better of it, and headed back up the ladder, & through the bear-dodging woods for some breakfast
The only creatures I wouldn't recommend are these...
...but I'll be tempted back for some more sheer punishment in 2011
A good week was had by all (eventually!!)
The "rear gunner" left it to the very last moment, and on the very morning of flying outta there, a final attempt to hook into a legendary Dean chinook was made by sneaking down past the invisible grizzly bears to the cut bank a little afore 6am
Within minutes of starting, the need for a good drag was evident, as it ripped into over 100 yards of backing before wits were gathered, and the glimmer of hope became a beacon.
Having gradually regained line on the reel, but only by following the fish to its new position well downstream, I realised why we used such tough gear - no compromises - Meiser 14' #9/10 MKS, Danielsson HD 11fourteen with 280yds 100lb gsp & a 650 skagit with 15' T17, 25lb maxima green, & a large cone weighted 4" chartreuse/blue/black with 3/0 gami;
I have never experienced such a tough fighting fish, but then, I was only 1.5 miles from the salt.
Every sinew strained and every part of the tackle was tested to the limit, yet the fish happily swam in the strongest current without budging.
However, no quarter was given, and when the fish unbalanced itself (being a European, I could not bring myself to attempt much horizontal alternating sidestrain as shown to me for steelies), I took a slight advantage, and with a second or third attempt, simply 'beached' the beastie, nose into the steep boulder margin, and grasped the wrist.
The fish had a good depth and chrome appearance
and a huge tail...
measuring out at 40" snout to tailfork, and 24.5" girth:
Easily unhooked - and after the in-water pictures - release was accompanied by a powerful tail stroke and away....
The tackle....
Time was still on my side, with only half an hour attendance at the riverside done, I felt that another cast or three was appropriate. I then did what I had never felt the need to before with any fish - I changed to a new section of 25lb maxima!
After spotting another fish rolling above my stance, I went back up to the start point to cover it, and was 'rewarded' with another display of testing out the Danielsson's drag - and starting from the 'Medieval' setting, a further three cranks of the drag were needed (taking it to 'pure evil' setting) before this second fish slowed down - funny, I had last seen that section of the backing (some 140+ yards into it) when I originally wound it on -
& I thought I had 'control'. The fish had run to & stopped/slowed down in mid-river below me, and some semblance or order was restored when I got down towards the fish, and heaved it to within 2 or 3 rod-lengths out. He did show a couple of times, and it was every bit as large as the first, and just as reluctant to be pulled out of the strong stream.
After 10+ minutes of steady strain, and without either party going more mental than the first run, the hook simply pulled, and he was gone!
I was left dazed, and somewhat tempted to have another cast, but I thought better of it, and headed back up the ladder, & through the bear-dodging woods for some breakfast
The only creatures I wouldn't recommend are these...
...but I'll be tempted back for some more sheer punishment in 2011