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November 27, 2005
NOVEMBER CHINOOKS ON THE DOUGLAS CHANNEL
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What can I say, this King Salmon, is definitely a highlight reel photo. Spending time on the Douglas Channel in Kitimat BC in November, fishing for winter Springs/Kings/Chinook Salmon is hot, hot action. Attached is a small sample of the Tyee we landed, 30lbs. plus, while the seagulls, in the hundreds fed on the numerous bait balls of migrating Herring. Our guide boat named the infamous "Fish Magnet"; its captain Ferd put us into 10 fish, landing six. The action was incredible. Our first take took five minutes after we sent the gear down with the downriggers. Passing thru the masses of Herring, the rods were twitching like a drunk in need of a morning fix. My fishing partner Nathan and I were quick to grab the rods, but the captain said NO! The twitching is from the line hitting the Herring balls! Can you believe it, the rods reacted like we were getting a bite, but as you know, rule number one," Listen To The Guide", so we did and it paid off. The ocean was so thick with the Herring that we hooked two herring with our trolling gear. We concentrated our efforts on the edge of the bait balls with only a couple of fish hooked. Ferd suggested we troll away from the congregating bait concentrating on the area where the depth went from 200 feet and sloped to 25 feet. This is when we hit the big boys. I was not a true believer in fish finders until this day. As soon as the fish showed on the monitor our action picked up almost immediately. Bam! The left rod made an aggressive twitch that pulled the downrigger clip from line and I set the hook, snap! Is all I got as an imaginary feel of the brute that had just snapped the 30lb. Monofilament fishing line. We set up again and circled the area where we had the colossal hit minutes before. No fish on the finder so we expanded our search making a larger circle, and guess what, the screen filled with large fish. "Ok guys get ready, says Ferd". Minutes later the rod bends and I get the tug of the day, the reel screams and I am concerned that I may run out of line. We slowly make our way towards the torpedo as I gain some line back on the reel. What a fight I am having. This bruiser then decides to head on down to the bottom of the ocean, I cannot stop it without taking a chance of the line snapping. It finally stops and heads back to the surface, Nathan is waiting with the net. This beast of the ocean is not ready as it makes a quick dash towards the prop inches away from freedom, then gives a large surface splash and concedes to the net, a high five is warranted.
This fish and the others we landed are all feeding aggressively as they will eventually make their way to the Colombia River, many miles South of us to spawn. Almost doubling in size once they reach their destination, 60lbers, WOW!!
Tracey John Hittel
Kitimat BC Canada
250 632-9880
250 639-4277
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