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Took My Dad Fishing for Salmon

Dad’s Fishing Derby (as he calls it)

Date: Friday, October 30, 2009
Location: Green River in Auburn, WA

I took my dad fishing for salmon this past Friday. He didn’t want to go fishing initially but much to my pleasure and surprise, he changed his mind.

We found a section of the Green River in Auburn, which I missed during my initial scouting trip not too long ago while the Mrs. was shopping at the Super Mall nearby. I have never fished this section of the Green River either, but its traits were perfect for us. It was a flat, clear area that was convenient to fish from the bank.

Pink salmon (our best bet) or if we’re lucky, the elusive Coho (aka Silver) Salmon were our targets.

We arrive at this spot at about noon. There were only three other persons fishing. I got set up my dad’s rod with a lure traditionally used by many anglers in this area. It is called a “corky” or drift bobber with some yarn and scent. After I showed him how to work it, I proceeded to set up my rig the same way.

The others fishing with us were using the same lure. After some time had passed, two new anglers showed up and started fishing. One of them happened to be the one and only gpc. It was a pleasure to meet you, gpc! Anyway, gpc and his buddy got into some fish rather quickly. I took notice and after they landed a few fish, I saw that they were using a marabou jig.

Their success prompted me to change tactics. Fortunately, I had brought a few homemade jigs that I was planning to try later in the day. Although I had not tried used these jigs for real world use yet (only field-testing a couple times at a local lake to view action), I figured I had nothing to lose. I chose a jig with fuchsia colored marabou similar to the bottom one in the image below.

In less than 5 minutes, about the third cast, I feel something take the jig and although it was my first time trying this technique, instinct took over and I set the hook set. I successfully landed a pink salmon and was completely surprised and shocked. My surprise was that the jig worked and my shock was for not having a “deer in the headlights” moment, which I have occasionally. In addition, it is a great feeling to hook into and catch a fish, and that feeling is magnified and even sweeter when you do so with a lure you made yourself.

Ten minutes had not even passed before pink salmon #2 bit the line! It was also successfully landed.

I asked my dad if he wanted to try a jig and he declined. Matter of fact, I had to hook into my third salmon before he changed his mind. After I set the hook, I handed my rod to my dad so that he could feel what it was like to fight one. I did not want him to go home skunked. He had a blast bringing it in and he was amazed at how strong every tug felt.

I tied the jig that brought me success onto his rig and showed him how to work it. A few minutes later, he hooks into one but loses it. The good thing about that was that his vigor and determination were renewed. Finally, success for my dad! He hooks and lands his first salmon of any kind.

That really made my day and I felt the pressure of getting him into fish dissipate with the evanescence of alka-seltzer. Praise the Lord!

My dad catches his next pink salmon just before I land my fourth one.

We continued fishing for about another hour, but there was one final piece of personal glory for one of these two anglers.

I have been told the Silver or “Coho” salmon that reside in this river have the harsh reputation of being “stingy” and “lock-jawed”, almost always rejecting the presentations and offerings of fishermen and women. As a matter of fact, all of the other anglers fishing along side us were not targeting pink salmon, but silver salmon, and they did not hook into nor catch either. They left EMPTY-HANDED for both. It seemed that perhaps the silvers were living up to their perceived reputation. So where is this going? Read on.

At about 4:30 p.m., I started packing up the gear while my dad continued fishing.

After I got everything ready, I looked up toward dad. Before I could tell him it was time to go, he hooks into another salmon. I didn’t think much of it at that moment until I observed that this salmon appeared to be very feisty. It jumped with the frequency of a jackrabbit. I started to think that this might not be a pink salmon. I rushed up to my dad and coached him to keep the line taut no matter what happens so that he could keep the chance of losing this one to a minimum. Praise the Lord again! He brought it in successfully but there was more to it.

It was a bright and beautiful silver, or Coho salmon. Dad managed to do what no one else could that day, and that was, to land a silver salmon. I might be mistaken, but I don’t think anyone even hooked into one. So this is solely my dad’s sweet victory and vindication for all of his patience and persistence. Dad definitely gets the trophy for the landing the only silver salmon in that area that day.

We could not have asked for a better day. I still cannot believe how successful this outing was especially considering my lack of experience with this jig fishing technique and fishing an unfamiliar section of water. By day’s end, we caught a total of eight fish, four each. We kept two pinks and his silver salmon.

My goal was to get my dad into his first salmon and I am blessed to have achieved that goal. It was definitely a special day, and a great time. I won’t forget this day any time soon, and I am inclined to believe that my father will not forget as well.

Conditions: Overcast, approximately 50 degrees
Dad’s Gear: 6’6” Shimano Compre Spinning Rod, Rapala 30 4Sxi spinning reel with 10# Sufix Siege monofilament line. Bass gear… Imagine that!
Alex’s Gear: 8’6” Lamiglas Norwest Special Casting Rod, Shimano Curado 201DHSV casting reel with 12# Yozuri Hybrid line.

Mike Carey

11/7/2009 8:47:00 AM

Man, I love these kind of reports! thank you for the effort to write it up and share it with the rest of us. What a great memory for you and your dad. That's what it's all about!

datsun

11/7/2009 9:49:00 AM

Thank you for the wonderful report, I too will never forget my first salmon (caught just this year) on 10 lb line, I didnt have a net, and when I attempted to horse it onto the bank the line broke very close to the lure, I had to dive down and grab it via the lure still in its mouth and get it. (it was half in and half out of the water)

I bet everyone remembers their first salmon.
Thanks again for writing this up!

FishHead

11/7/2009 10:29:00 AM

hey good job guys, and what a great report.

goodtimesfishing

11/7/2009 10:41:00 AM

good job on the report. did you get a picture of the silver? How big was it? That's great for him to get the silver first time salmon fishing. I have talked to several people on the stilly who are getting frustrated at not being able to get a silver. Great memories for you and your dad!!!! Have fun fishing!!!!!!!!!!

littlefishes

11/7/2009 10:50:00 AM

islandbass- nice report!
I think most all of us reading these reports are able to tap some of the feelings you and your father had fishing that day.
It is great to reflect back on some fishing 'firsts' in life and a report like yours probably has a whole lot of readers reminiscing to those occassions. Especially with all the rain today :-)
Hope to get back out on the water this weekend but the rivers are going to be awfully high.
Maybe I'll run into one of you guys on the Green (I usually fish the Green but don't get out often).

Good luck.

Tight lines all...


You're

islandbass

11/7/2009 12:57:00 PM

First, thanks to everyone. I kind of screwed up on my report in that the second pic with the silver didn't make it onto the report. I will post it in the river section as a non report.

schatzi442

11/7/2009 7:11:00 PM

great report, are you and english teacher or major. it was great to see a report put into an essay

BassDood

11/8/2009 12:14:00 AM

Dude, great report. I'd give anything to fish with my Dad again. Great job, both of you. Memories...can't replace those

seernod

12/8/2009 12:52:00 PM

What a wonderful report. Just reading it reminded me of my first salmon I caught when I was 15 living with my sis on the Humpy in Copalis Crossing . What a time that was. Thank you for reminding me of the good old days when it seemed they would never end.

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