Finally got to check Chum off my salmon bucket list! Having suffered a slight obsession about finally hooking one of these bad boys, it was no wonder that I took some time off work to go in search of my first again. My last attempt on Wednesday resulted in crummy water conditions and no action. Today the water was still high and fast, but much clearer. There were a few fish rolling along the far bank when I got to the river at 9am. I tipped my pink/chartreuse jig with some prawn and began floating the seam along the bank. Took about 15 minutes before my bobber went down and stayed down. I set the hook and it was fish on! For a moment it just sat in the current like a log and then it shot down stream pulling line. I had only rigged with 12# mono leader and a cheap jig and didn't want to stress my tackle to the breaking point, so was relieved when it turned into the bank and then began running back and forth across the current. This was already proving to be the hardest fighting fish I'd hooked this season. It came to the surface down river and I verified it was a Chum by the bars clearly visible on its' side. I took my time and worked it back up river slowly gaining ground. After a couple more short runs I was able to work it into the bank and get a hold of it. Whew! It was about an 8# hen. Not big by Chum standards, but sure was a fun fight. I'm glad she wasn't any bigger as she still managed to bend the hook on my jig a bit. My phone was buried in my pocket down in my waders, so opted not to make her wait on a photo and let her swim away. She was in pretty fair condition for as far up river as I was fishing. I replaced my leader and tried for another hour without any further luck before calling it a morning. The weather was phenomenal and just a nice morning to be out on the river. Saw a few others hooked, but only a couple landed. Now that I've accomplished that goal I can get back to my salmon/Steelhead obsession in general. :) Although I wouldn't mind hooking another one of those….maybe a little bigger.

Stansjoy

11/7/2014 9:40:00 PM

Congrats, BentRod... they are beasts!!! Ugliest salmon ever created, but also the most fun and challenging. Love reading your reports! PTL!

hooksetjou

11/7/2014 10:23:00 PM

Nice Job! First one will be most memorable. Now only if I can hook one....

Seattle Pat

11/8/2014 5:10:00 AM

Awesome! I heard rumors that it was getting better. I was there last week and it was really tough - no fish & only a couple rolling. I'll make a trip out that way again in the upcoming week. Thanks for the report!

goodtimesfishing

11/8/2014 12:52:00 PM

Way to go! always an accomplishment to scratch something off the ole bucket list. Chum are so fun to fight!

tele_maniac

11/8/2014 5:54:00 PM

Congrats BentRod! I look forward all year to the Chum coming in. They are straight up crazy!! Glad you finally got your first one.

Leave a Comment:

Login

Flag

×

Why is this comment inappropriate?

Close Submit

Delete this comment? Provide reason.

No Yes

Edit

×

Cancel Save