Chinook Salmon Fishing
Conquest of the Kings
Angler Gang and Chasin Tail Outfitters at it again…We set out on what had to be the gloomiest rainiest mornings of the warm weather season so far. Dark skies and patches of pouring rain on the drive in weren’t going to deter me from the chance to catch some great fish. The weather cleared up by the time we reached our starting spot and with the roof covering half the boats deck things were comfortable as we awaited strikes. Our lines were down no longer than five minutes and there was a fish on which I ended up losing near the boat. I didn’t mind much with a fish on that fast, it wouldn’t be long before another and it wasn’t. Moments later I brought in this rainbow.
After this one it was a while before another take but the next one was a good one. This time I was hooked up with a huge chinook salmon that started pealing line like it was his job. Line counter read 508 by the time he finished his initial run. It was a great battle and the beautiful chinook salmon weighed in at 25.4lbs
We fished on catching some more rainbow trout and smaller salmon before the next great battle with a king. Had this one on a lighter outfit and he was down for a fight this morning. This fish stayed deep and fought hard the entire time. This one ended up weighing less but had twice the fight in him.
Five pounds isn’t cool anymore. You know whats cool? Twenty five pounds.
I woke up early for some salmon fishing. I had plans to hook up with my now friend Kevin who runs a fishing charter on Lake Ontario. I got to the marina about 6:20am a little late as usual and we got straight to business.
In no time we were trolling lures in 100 feet of water in a fully outfitted rig. It was a slow start, we spent an hour or more “rinsing lures” and we were due for some action.
Bang a strike on one of the rods, Game on! I lifted the rod out of the holder and connected to the fish. Right away I knew this was no small fish. It felt like I was hooked into a Volkswagen compared to the fish I catch on the regular.
I was pumped but I was quiet and focused, I didn’t want to lose this fish. He was on one of the rods with light line and way out there. keeping the pressure on him, we had a good battle and I eventually brought the great chinook salmon to the boat. Wow what a thrill! We didn’t weigh it but my guide was experienced enough to say it was at least twenty pounds.
Trolling along in what appeared to be the middle of nowhere I reeled in a couple smaller chinook salmon and had one decent one get off right at the boat. We were now literally talking about pulling our baits out of the water and heading back when a rod off the side of the boat bent over.
We got up excited for another big one, I pulled the rod from its holder and connected up. This one was bigger then the first and I had it on a rod with roller guides and some serious line. I muscled the fish to the boat more confidant then the first and it was a monster chinook salmon my guide said this one was a good twenty five pounds.