 King Salmon: King Of The Headlights, Fish On!
Posted by FlyAddict on March 18, 2005
(2386 reads)
The Salmon River can be crazy during a salmon run. I’ve never seen such a mad river, “idiots” and all. This was my second season fishing for Kings. As absurd as it was the year before, I was willing to give it a second chance, hoping I’d get lucky and catch a few early steelhead and allow the Salmon River to redeem herself.
Before the trip, two buddies and I looked over some river maps, plotting some plans for our 3-day adventure. I warned them of what they may encounter. I played down the river just enough to keep them from backing out, while attempting to make anything they experienced seem better by comparison.
The day of our arrival we hit Fat Nancy’s. Without being asked, one of the guys working gave us the scoop on where to go. He said, “Freshies coming in the lower river now. Head to the Black Hole.” I was a little
skeptical, assuming it would be a mad house. We approached the hole and to our frustration, more and more “idiots” appeared after each bend. I say “idiots” lightly, as we are about to willingly join this group. This is like how every other driver on the road is an “idiot” except you. We quickly realized this would be an experience we wouldn’t forget.
I am all about having space, peace, and quiet when on the river. But being pretty easy going and willing to give anything a try, we walked down to the end of the line and stepped into position as “idiot” #254, #255 and #256. I was “idiot” #256 holding up the end of the line, hoping no one would take position #257. But you know how long that lasted. What made it even more interesting is that I was a lefty in a line of right-handed “idiots”.
I did not admit it to my friends, but I got a strange sense of enjoyment out of this experience. The excitement in the air was different as three to four Kings at a time slipped past us to head up the staircase. The silence on the river was broken by, “Fish on!” “Fish off!” “Coming up!” “Coming down!” As I looked up river and listened, it was amazing to see, and hear the courtesy that was put forth by a bunch of “idiots” standing shoulder to shoulder. The common bond of a fishing addiction can go a long way. While sorting my feelings towards the meat mongers…it happened! It was my turn to yell, “Fish on!” In that moment I became alone on the river...almost!
My buddies watched as I battled a female King as she ran up and down the river, I was tilting my rod to give some direction as to where I wanted to land her. She turned and began her run down river. At that moment, I looked up to see a guy all geared up with his girlfriend on arm, crossing the river about 30 yards down. She was dressed in jeans and a long sleeved, white shirt. Yes… I said white. She didn’t look like she wanted to be on the river, or should I say in the river. I’m pretty sure she was doing this to show her devotion to her boyfriend, or he was dragging her along to show off his “catch”. Thoughts ran in my head as the King continued down river and went around the backside of the girl in white. Plunk! In she went.
I began a quick wade down river to follow my fish, help the girl in white and beg forgiveness (in that order). As I approached, I decided it wasn’t a good idea to help her up since her boyfriend seemed to have it under control, and she was most certainly embarrassed, as was I. I did apologize, but made sure I was keeping full “eye contact” with the girl in white and her beaux. Continuing my pursuit of the fish, I turned around to get assistance from my buddy. I was shocked, but not surprised to see 260 “idiots” staring into the “headlights” like shocked deer about to be hit by an oncoming vehicle.
I landed the fish, and was praised by my buddies for making the entire trip. That afternoon and the remaining days we fished the Douglas Salmon Run section of the river with success, space, peace and quiet. Salmon River redeemed.
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Re: King Of The Headlights: Fish On!
by jeremy on March 18, 2005 http://www.fliesandfins.com | what a great read! it is so funny how so many of us say, "oh forget that salmon run..too many jerks...too crowded...i'm not gonna fish for those kings...i'm a steelhead guy...i like solitude...i am a true fly fisher...that combat fishing is for the birds...and so on." BUT then most of these same people, including me, find ourselves on the river during the salmon run. funny how all of those pre-mentioned things simply disappear when a 30 pound king salmon rips through the river with your fly in his mouth. suddenly, all the people seem to vanish, all the sounds seem to lessen and your like "holy crap" this thing is huge!
then the salmon season comes to an end and we go back to saying, "forget that salmon run, i can't stand that combat fishing, i like solitude...." UNTIL salmon season starts the following year.
hey - i look at it like this - salmon season is what salmon season is - don't try to change it - just go with the flow and you might just have a blast. your bound to hook some big fish and have some good laughs with your buddies.
i would have loved to witnessed your encounter with the chic in the white shirt ------tooo funny.
ps - that's a good looking fish too! nice post. |
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Re: King Of The Headlights: Fish On!
by jason-c on March 19, 2005 http://www.fliesandfinswest.com | | Great story. I know exactly how the numbered idiots thing works. It is just like you guys say. Out of all the numbered idiots in a run there are usually only a couple who aren't thinking the same thing as you are, and they are usually good for a laugh at least. |
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Re: King Of The Headlights: Fish On!
by mike-c on March 21, 2005 | It's true that our sport takes us to places not often "lit" by the distractions of focused light. It is nice when those worlds "collide."
I enjoyed the read - thanks,
Mike |
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Re: King Of The Headlights: Fish On!
by KodiakCommando on March 21, 2005 | | I agree comepletely with the Jeremy, the people dissapear when a fish is hooked. I am lucky enough to live on a island and a state where the salmon oppurtunities to people ratio is a lot better than all the other states. Kodiaks crowds are pretty slim compared to the rest of alaska. Still kodiak and the rest of the mainland can definetely compare to the salmon river, especially when the kings or silvers are running. There are so many fisherman you have to be carefull not to be hooked. But i just grin and bear it and the risk is far less than the reward. |
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