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It was almost quitting time,
so we decided to try our luck at catching one last silver salmon.
Adam pulled us into a side pool where the salmon like to hang
out. It was about 15 feet deep with little current - more like
a big wide pond. We could see a few Silvers and lots of Sockeye.
On about my third cast - a large sockeye in spawning colors grabbed
my flashy pink fly. This one had started to color up, so I thought
this would be easy. Not exactly what I was looking for, but everyone
says they are fierce fighters. A lot more fierce than I realized
- way more.
The first 3 runs were strong - stronger
than I thought they would be. It was nice to hear the reel sing.
Adam said let's see if we can land him now. I brought him close,
but the fish had other ideas. I wasn't ready for the next run
- stronger than any of the previous. (I thought they were supposed
to get less and less powerful.) This last run was powerful and
fast - so fast that my reel handle battered my fingers and knuckles
bloody. It hurt, I was bleeding but wow was this fun! Adam said,
"Whoa - that was some run!." We were both laughing at
my bleeding hand. Not sure how often the guides see this, but
it was a first for me. Kind of like a badge of honor - at least
that is what I told myself to take my mind off the pain.
So now Adam says he must be finished.
Hmmm - I am not so sure. This time as I bring him close, I grasped
the line and rod - above the reel. I wasn't about to get another
knuckle buster lesson. He made one more powerful run - this time
snapping my 8 weight Sage SP 3 piece at the first ferrule. It
was my own fault for holding the line tight. Adam grabbed the
line and dragged the fish in - a very large Sockeye - over 10
lbs (estimated by Adam.) Susan took a photo and Adam released
the fish.
Now Adam, Susan and I were all laughing
even harder - me holding my broken rod with my throbbing, bloody
hand. I could not have scripted a better scenario. What a great
way to end the trip - getting my butt kicked by a salmon - a Sockeye
at that!
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