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[Steelhawk]

Went out for a short trip in the morning around 8:00.  Started at the lower at Bergman section. It was pretty dead there. Did not see any action at all and water was gin clear and low.  Looked upstream and saw long long line of fishers at Lickman run, but didn't like to go up to mix in with the gong show, so I don't know if it was good up there.

I was trying to spot hot actions like Chris used to describle at the Lower to determine my starting point, but couldn't find any.  Decided not to waste time in those shallow & clear runs, and moved up river to a deeper run.  There were a few guys in the big run, but the tail out was surprisingly vacant.  They must have finished their hunt there and moved up.  I surveyed what they were using.  Also noticed that the tail out was just beginning to have the sun ray, so I decided to try something not used by other guys, something flashy.  2nd cast, the float buried with a hard take, wham, a large steel was on the run. It sure felt heavy, but it was not a spectacular battle though.  It was not making strong runs nor headshakes.  Frankly, it fought like a spring, so I was begining to think I had a rare winter spring on the line. I once hooked a super chromer spring early March in the Train Bridge area, so it is possible to hook one at this time.

Well, it is still very hard to get it close with its weight on my 8lb leader.  A gentleman was kind enough to drop his fishing to help me land it, a super chrome wild doe about 15 lb range.  Not sure why it did not fight more, as it looks ocean fresh and has no seal bite, and according to the gent who fished from first light there, there was no other hookup besides mine. It is not a 2nd-hooked fish.  So why so sluggish in the fight ?      Anyhow, still grateful for that hookup, as there was no other hookups around the area. By the way, those DNE spoon hooks I am testing are really sharp.  Haven't lost a fish on them yet.

Had to leave at 11:00 to work, so no afternoon fishing.  Here are the pics for today's fish and yesterday's. Can you guys see them now?  Thanks for the tips about photobucket.com.

[Steelhawk]

By the way, after I filed the report, I got a call from my buddy who lives near to the river that the hot fishing was in the afternoon, and below where I started this morning. Gee, I need the steelie GPS reading skill like Montegobayman & his friends. Them guys always walked right into hot actions. 

[SNAFU]

Very nice fish indeed!

Interesting comment about "seal bite"; a few weeks back I caught a nice hatchery fish and a fisherman walking by commented on the "seal bite".

If it were truly a seal bite chances are you would see more fish with open sores.  In my opinion, what some people are calling "seal bites" are nothing more than fishing line marks.  Both hatchery fish that I have retained this year have this marking where the scales are pulled back in a line which typically starts somewhere near or behind the dorsal fin projects downward at an angle (or is subvertical).  Many of the posted pictures of fish on this site have these markings....I believe it is just your fishing line which is under considerable tension rubbing up the side of the fish as it battles to get away.

SNAFU

[Steelhawk]

When I mean a seal bite, it is a hole in the body, or a long tear of wound, exposing flesh.  You are right about line mark, but a seal bite is very evident.  The blood loss & the wound weaken the fish.

[summersteel]

Fun fish I believe I know the answer to why the fish was so sluggish.  You said that you caught it in the tailout of the run, so the fish had probably just come up through the fast water and was still tired. The same thing has happened to me a few times. Was there a stretch of fast water downstream of the tailout?

[Steelhawk]

No there is no strong rapids.  It is moderate fast flow connecting the two runs.  There is no way that fresh 15# fish will be so depleted by that water.  Also, the run/pool below is quite turbulent & deep, and practically not fishable. The whole time I was there, no one was fishing it. 

[Sabre]

Sweet fish, funfish 

[Fish Assassin]

Very nice fish indeed!

Interesting comment about "seal bite"; a few weeks back I caught a nice hatchery fish and a fisherman walking by commented on the "seal bite".

If it were truly a seal bite chances are you would see more fish with open sores.  In my opinion, what some people are calling "seal bites" are nothing more than fishing line marks.  Both hatchery fish that I have retained this year have this marking where the scales are pulled back in a line which typically starts somewhere near or behind the dorsal fin projects downward at an angle (or is subvertical).  Many of the posted pictures of fish on this site have these markings....I believe it is just your fishing line which is under considerable tension rubbing up the side of the fish as it battles to get away.

SNAFU

Interesting theory SNAFU. Never thought of it.

[cohokid]

thats a beautiful fish. nicest ive seen all year.

[THE_ROE_SLINGER]

NICE FISH

[DaN ThE MaN]

Congrats William keep it up!

DaN

[BwiBwi]

What a beauty. Too bad still coup up indoor. 

[Big Steel]

Awesome pics man, some of the nicest all year! Great job!!  Those would look good in Steely Porn!!

[BIG T]

Congrat to you funfish,nice fish,did you use your camera phone to take those pictures

[TrophyHunter]

Really nice fish man.... must have just been a lazy fish.....hahaha...