Home Forums Fishing Freshwater Spey fishing for Kings

Well after having gone to a club clinic in July on spey fishing, I, like so many other fishermen before me, got hooked on something new. Never mind that I've never fished for Salmon on a fly rod, or for Salmon in freshwater at all for that matter.

I made it out to the Feather this evening, for a combination lesson and guiding session.

The bite was ON!

I had my first fish on in about 10 minutes, and played it for about 15 minutes or so before it was able to rub the hook out on a rock. It's a shame, as the fish was pretty worn down and Tom, my guide was getting into position to tail the fish. He says this was about a 10-12 pound hen. He also said I really need to keep the rod tip up to keep the fish from being able to rub its mouth on the rocks. Salmon fishing 101 Lesson #1

A few minutes later, I get a tug and set the hook, and my rod snaps a few inches below the bottom ferrule. My brand spanking new rod, that I'd only practiced with up until this point. No biggie,right? as the bite is on and Tom has a spare rod, same make and model as mine. And the rod is supposedly guaranteed for life. So I continue to fish, and sure enough, a few minutes later, I've got another fish on. Much larger, and very bright. This one takes out plenty of backing while headed up stream, then does the same while heading down stream. I learn another valuable lesson. You need to keep an eye on how the line is going back on the reel when you are fighting fish like this, other wise you'll end up with the line all on one side of the reel, and be unable to reel any more in while the fish is charging towards you. Salmon fishing 101 Lesson #2. Luckily my beginners luck holds, and the fish stays on while I sort things out, but again, the hook pops, this time possibly due to the length of time the fish was played, and possibly because I wasn't angling the rod against the direction the fish was traveling. Salmon fishing 101 lesson #3. Tom estimated this one to be about 20 pounds or so. By now my right bicep is getting tired.

Just a few more casts later, bam, I'm into another fish. Only it feels like a rock. It's barely moving, just staying in one spot. It eventually comes up to the surface and we get a look at it, and Tom says " That has to be the same fish that just came off" The markings are identical, and Tom is saying that this fish, as bright as it is, should be fighting a lot harder. At any rate, I try and budge the thing for the next 20 minutes or so, to no avail, and the hook pulls again. Salmon fishing 101 lesson #4 - s--t happens. But hey, I've had 4 hookups in about an hour and a half.

I'm walking back to the bank to put away the remnants of my rod, and drink a bit of water, when Tom tosses out a cast, and he gets hit too. I now get to see how to really fight a fish like this. From the very beginning, Tom is much more aggresive in how much pressure he's putting on the fish. There is much more bend in the rod as he horses in this fish. Within about 10 minutes, he's got it in the shallows, and I'm able to tail it. After falling in of course, while dodging it as it made a final run. Salmon fishing 101 Lesson #5 - You can put a whole lot of pressure on 8 pound Maxima. This salmon is a buck, estimate to be 17-18 pounds, bronze turning to pink, and a wild fish. It evenually revives, and we release it, as it's a bit too old to be good eating.

After this, the bite pretty much dies for us. I feel what are possibly hits, but are more likely rocks. My casting really starts to deteriorate due to fatigue, but at least my mending and drifts are getting better. Lots and lots of Steelhead in the river, jumping all over the place. And still plenty of salmon, but my luck has ended for the day.

I'm talking to the folks at the fly fishing store tomorrow about replacing my rod. And I'll be back out on the river ASAP. It's a drag that it takes an hour and a half to drive there, but man, this is fishing. I can only imagine what winter run Kings would be like up north on the coast <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'll post a pic of Toms fish tomorrow.

Regards,
Scott

I sure hope the rod is guarenteed, those spey rods are not cheap!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

X-VERMINATOR

I have watched the Norwegians here in Kitimat B.C. Canada with their spey rods. The way to go if you river fish for Salmon. One big roll cast and the whole line is out there..
They use large arbour oversize fly reels with 200 yards of 20lbs of backing. What a contrast to those fishing for salmon with traditional glorified trout rods, whipping the water and themselves to a froth to get the line out there. Then they hook a Salmon and have to walk along the waters edge following the Salmon, asking people all around the area to reel in because their gear can not handle a big Salmon, or rather, they can not put real pressure on a big salmon with their glorified trout rods.
It is like going moose an buffalo hunting with a .243. It can be done only if everything goes just right. Spey rod with large reel is the way to go for Salmon.

Tom and his fish

Xverminator



I darn sure bought a rod with a guarantee, let's see how Redington handles the matter. This was the least expensive rod I could find that was getting good reviews by other spey fishers.



Shrike,



I went to a clinic, and immediately saw the advantages of the two handed rod. It was an eye opener to see Tom fight his fish. I'd have never thought that 8 pound test tippets would be able to take the kind of force he was putting on the rod.



Regards,

Scott

Scott,

Much enjoyed your Post.

I'm in the process of gearing up a touch differently for Salmon/Steelhead and though not Fly Tackle,it follows the spey train of thought.

Great picture as well................

My boss is hooking me up with a bunch of steelhead trips this spring... I'm going to be hitting the rivers right after turkey day to learn the holes on some of the more obscure rivers. I'll be interested in you non fly fishing gear, as many of my clients won't want to fly fish.

I'm not Stick, but he made an earlier post about the lightweight rod, and we just traded a few PMs regarding this as well.

Take a look at:

Loomis float rod


Regards,
Scott

My replacement rod came in today. Took it out to the lake for some practice casting. It broke in the exact same spot after about an hour and a half of casting. About an inch below the ferrule in the butt section. I didn't have all the belly out, and was practicing snake rolls.



This is the Redington 12'6" 7/8. I know of two other identical rods that have taken plenty of abuse without issue, so I'm starting to think there was a bad lot of these.



I don't think I want another replacement. I'll go for store credit towards a different brand.



What a day. At least work is going real well <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />



Scott