10-26-2006, 09:55 AM
[cool][#0000ff]No doubt about it, those are some big nasty male salmon. They look like fish from the Great Lakes, rather than Pacific fish though. Where did he catch them?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Nice pics. He looks like a happy boy. Not sure what you mean by "furled leaders". Got any pics or detailed descriptions?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have taken quite a few big nasties on the west coast. The biggest and meanest came from the Smith River, right out of the ocean. They are bright silver and still great fighters and good eating. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Once they get up into the rivers for awhile they turn that darker color and both the battle and the quality of their flesh deteriorates quickly. Those larger males can be very aggressive and will chase and bite big bright flies. But, once you hook them it is more like a tug of war with a submarine rather than a flashy fight. Even on my big ten weight it sometimes took over an hour to coax one into the shallows. In heavy water they often just head downstream and you either follow them or pop them off...or donate line and backing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Still, there is something primal about hooking one of those big uglies. It is like doing hand to fin combat with a dinosaur. If anyone ever wants to join the "10-1 Club" (catching a fish ten times the weight of your line test), large salmon offer that potential. Using 4# tippet you CAN land salmon over 40 pounds on waters that are not too swift or too snaggy. But, bring your lunch because you are going to be awhile.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Nice pics. He looks like a happy boy. Not sure what you mean by "furled leaders". Got any pics or detailed descriptions?[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have taken quite a few big nasties on the west coast. The biggest and meanest came from the Smith River, right out of the ocean. They are bright silver and still great fighters and good eating. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Once they get up into the rivers for awhile they turn that darker color and both the battle and the quality of their flesh deteriorates quickly. Those larger males can be very aggressive and will chase and bite big bright flies. But, once you hook them it is more like a tug of war with a submarine rather than a flashy fight. Even on my big ten weight it sometimes took over an hour to coax one into the shallows. In heavy water they often just head downstream and you either follow them or pop them off...or donate line and backing.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Still, there is something primal about hooking one of those big uglies. It is like doing hand to fin combat with a dinosaur. If anyone ever wants to join the "10-1 Club" (catching a fish ten times the weight of your line test), large salmon offer that potential. Using 4# tippet you CAN land salmon over 40 pounds on waters that are not too swift or too snaggy. But, bring your lunch because you are going to be awhile.[/#0000ff]
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