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To cap off the 2015 Chinook season I took a guided trip at Hanford which I've been meaning to do for several years. We pounded the White Bluffs hole for eight hours to squeak out eight fish, two per fisherman and four shy of a limit. It started off quick with both my friend's and my Dad landing fish in the misty morning. We had a bite that I missed by not setting the hook. I felt like the fish was just mouthing the eggs, but my fishing partners thought otherwise and I caught all the flack until I got the next fish a couple hours later which put up a great fight and was around 15 lbs.

From then on it was a fish here and there until our last fish as the sun was setting, which was the 25 lb buck that absolutely crushed a kwikfish. I was a little disappointed that we didn't move or switch to the most productive bait (eggs) during the day, but I was happy to fish White Bluffs as I gained confidence that I can fish that area out of my boat this coming season.

We backtrolled two rods with divers and eggs and two rods with kwikfish style plugs off the riggers all day. The first and last fish came off of the plugs, the rest of the fish including at least four or five missed bites came off of the eggs. Again, not sure why we didn't switch to the obviously more productive method, but regardless our guide worked hard for the fish and we were happy to end up with what we got.

It was a pretty slow day out there and we didn't see lots of other boats catching fish. The fish were all colored up with about half of the meat being quality. I was sad to see the big boy go down and his meat was as white as a sheet. Would of liked him to contribute to the gene pool but ah well, it was not my boat. Definitely learned of the quality size of the fish with fish ranging from 15 to 25 lbs, excluding the couple of smaller ones. Thank you to everyone who posts on the reach, looking forward to seeing you out there next year and maybe getting out with Captain Dave or one of the guides that sponsors our site. Tight lines all, and enjoy the video...

rojomojo

2/22/2016 8:45:00 AM

Looks like a fun day! Nice work kuzan.
Man, I agree with you on the fish quality. I keep watching these guides and others come to this area, and retain kings with white meat. I will be the first to say that these up river brights have great meat and potential to be delicious. But there comes a point where I shake my head when I see a Ringold or Vernita bank covered with spawned kings with clients lined up next to them. Rant done, love the the videos- especially the Snake River one!

Fishman_Kuzan

2/25/2016 6:09:00 PM

Thanks rojomojo. Some of the fish were really good still. A little suprising, but yea I guess some guides have the mentality clients want fish to take home so they bonk em all. Thanks watching the vids, we appreciate it

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