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.