Feelin' Chummy

This week I'm knocking out an update on my IPod Touch from row 10 of a 737-400 on my way to Anchorage. Over the weekend I got out after my first salmon of the 2010 fishing season. The story that unfolds below is one of trials, tribulation, and maybe a touch of success.



I arrived at the trailhead at 4:00 Saturday morning for the roughly 2 mile hike into the local Sockeye hole. I was pleased to see that a friend's car was already there. With a pack full of waders, boots, and enough fishing gear to conquer any situation that might arise, I headed down the trail at a brisk pace. Preferring to spend less time hiking and more time fishing.



I reached Windfall Creek just as my friend, Torsten, was packing up to leave. I listened with horror as he relayed to me that there wasn't any fish in the stream. My worst fear for today had come true, the rain and high water during the week had pushed all the fish upstream and into Windfall Lake. Never-the-less, I refused to believe that there weren't any fish to be caught. I donned my waders and strung up my rod hoping to prove Torsten wrong. Two hours and a couple trout later, after hiking the length of the stream, I gave up. We decided to hike out and see if any Chum salmon were showing up at Amalga Harbor.



We arrived at Amalga Harbor to find a lower than expected tide. The water where I usually fish was too shallow. But our spirits were brightened when we saw some Chums jumping farther out in the bay. Torsten started fishing while I rigged up my rod.

Just as I got my gear all set up, I noticed that down the beach a bit some fish were jumping close to a point of steep rocks. I made my way along the slimy seawead and barnacle covered rocks to a spot I thought would work. I immediately started seeing fish swim by and my hopes only rose higher. Now it was time for trial and error, what would the fish bite today?

For those of you that don't know, Chum salmon can be quite finicky when it comes to persuading them to bite your hook. Unlike silvers that are aggressive and sometimes bite anything that drifts past, Chums will generally swim right past your lure without a second glance.

For the next half an hour I tried a multitude of combinations. Watching each school of fish swim past, just waiting for one to finally turn and take a bite. The fish were schooling 6-8 ft deep so I tried a heavier sink tip to bring my fly down to their level. For saltwater salmon, I've found that having various sinking tips can mean the difference between success and failure. A few years ago I purchased a Cabelas brand multi-tip fly line. Immediately, I started catching more fish. The more well known variation of this line is the Rio Versatip line. The price tag on the Cabelas line was my only reason for going with this brand. Most of my saltwater fishing is from sharp barnacle and mussel covered rocks and I couldn't stomach the idea of tearing up an expensive line.

One by one I presented different flies to the passing schools of fish, trying different colors and sizes and striking out each time. Finally I switched over to my own invention, the Pink Maribou Thingamajigger.

A little side story and background on the history of the Pink Maribou Thingamajigger. Back in college I was up late one night tying some flies for a morning fishing trip chasing Cohos at Windfall Creek. As the time approached midnight I needed a break from tying Clouser Minnows and Egg Sucking Leeches so I let my creative juices flow. The result of that creativity was the Pink Maribou Thingamajigger.

The following morning I met my friend Ray and we hiked our way into the creek. We started out fishing with some known patterns and weren't having any luck so I decided to try my new invention. Immediately I tied into a fish, then another. At the end of the day I had landed 5 Cohos, 6 cutthroat trout, and 8 Dolly Varden. To say it lightly, my new fly was a success.

Now back to the present day. As I tied on the Thingamajigger, I shared that story and a couple others with Torsten. I had never tried this fly on Chums but given its success on Cohos and trout I was hopeful. I cast the fly out to a passing school of salmon and almost immediately I saw one turn and follow. I turned all my attention to not screwing up. I watched as the Chum opened his mouth and chomped on my fly, FISH ON!!!!! The silvery Chum started shaking his head side to side in an effort to throw my hook, but he would have to try harder than that. He took a run and it felt great to hear the line streaming off my reel. My heart was still pounding from the excitement, but I settled into a well practiced routine. Keep the tip up, watch the line tension, and search for a place to land this fish.

As the fish started to tire, I worked my way along the slippery rocks. Trying to plan each step. All of a sudden my feet became entangled in some discarded fishing line and I started to go down. Instinct alone prevented me from slamming my rod down on the ground. I tried to catch myself with one hand and I felt my shoulder bend in an unnatural direction. When I came to a rest my head and shoulders were down in a hole, my feet were in the air, and my rod was still bent with a fish on the other end. I quickly tried to regain my footing so I could land my fish.



With the fish now tired I worked him into a low spot on the rocks and grabbed him. Success, I had caught my first salmon of the 2010 fishing season. We took a few minutes for the trophy pics and Torsten went back to fishing.  This time he was equipped with a Pink Maribou Thingamajigger. I rested for a couple of minutes and tried to work out the pain in my shoulder, but in the end I decided to call it a day. I cleaned my fish and headed home. I know it's not a good pic of me, but it was the best picture of the fish.

This morning I learned that Torsten took a similar spill on the rocks and broke his rod. Did I mention they were slippery?



Sunday night the clouds parted and it was a perfect opportunity to grill up some fresh fish. I decided to throw a deer roast and some vegetables on the grill as well. Looks good doesn't it.

Well, we're beginning our decent into Ted Stevens International Airport so I'll have to sign off. I brought my pack rod with me so I'm hoping to take advantage of the endless daylight and catch some Rainbow trout or maybe a Northern Pike. Stay tuned for a mid week update. As always, thanks for reading.