Rule of 2's for my first Yak Salmon

Over the years I have tried numerous times to land a salmon in Kayak, all to no avail. I have caught a lot on charter boats, but never one from a kayak...till yesterday.  I went to a HOW event in Redondo Beach, Des Moines, WA, just south of Seattle and North of Tacoma.  The PNW Chapter is really organized, they have a small fleet of Hobbies Compass' kayaks as well rods and reels for the participants. The target was Pink salmon as they were in close to the beach and we were sight casting with pink streamer type jigs.  after our Safety Brief and pairing,  I got hooked with Tom who is an avid fisherman and knew pinkies really well. The launch was easy and the current was easy to deal with.  I was on Triple Nickel and while being the loan guy on a paddle yak, I never felt like the Stealth was not up for the challenge.  If anything I think the nickel was holding out for something more challenging (think Salt Rockers and their South African launches, for which my 61  y/o butt does not feel like tackling any time in this lifetime).   

So the name of the game is see where the Pinky's are jumping paddle over in that direction and sight cast into them and work the jig.  I guess were into it for about 20 minutes and I got a hard strike and the game was on.  HOW provided me with a 6 foot ugly stick light paired with a Penn War Fighter spinning reel with maybe 12 or 15 pound braid and a 10 or 12 pound top leader.   Drag was set light as Pinky's have really soft mouths.  With Tom's encouragement and advice I played that fish for a good 5 minutes, he made at least 5-6 run's when he would get close to the boat.  He ran under my yak 3 times and Tom's once.  This was a fish that gave its all and really fought above his weight class.  It made a fatal mistake and ran to close to Tom's yak and he was waiting with the net and scooped it up.   Tom was convinced it was a male based on its fight (when I gutted it found out it was a female with eggs, I donated the eggs to Tom who cures them for steelheads and river salmon later in the year). Tom would go on to catch four  fish.

I didn't catch anything else for the day and a few guys switched to trolling later on, but I was getting worn out by 12 pm and headed in.  Lunch was a Italian Sub Sandwich and chips,  all in all a great time was had by all.

Now why the rule of two's: I got started with NCKA around 2008 or 9 (I am sure someone will look it up to confirm it), I have had two main yaks ; the Hobie Quest, and the Stealth Fisha 555 (I know I have the old Hobie Mirage, but I have yet to use that fishing), I have belonged to online fishing Angler clubs (NCKA & NWKA), Gone to events with Two HOW Chapters (You guys and the PNW Chapter), I am in my second decade of chasing Salmon (I recall Mooch chasing sturgeon for many years until he caught one and said he would never do it again), I don't plan on quitting Salmon , I just fish #2 doesn't take another 15-16 years.  I do want to extended a heartfelt thanks to all guys who passed on info to me over the years, with special thanks to guys in particular the late Mooch and The Salmon Whisper himself Loleta Eric (any guy who can troll for 11 miles while sitting on fishing pole has my  utmost respect!).

Congrats on the kayak first!

Put a smile on my face.   

Very cool! Salmon from a kayak is a huge challenge, but I'm sure that your next one will take less than 15 years...

I sure hope so! Another 15 will make me 76 y/o. Not sure I will be targeting Salmon or a Assisted Living / nursing home. Lol

Congrats on the kayak first!

Put a smile on my face.   

Coming from the Fish Whisper that means a lot!

Great report and story!
How’re you cooking up that pink?

Great report and story!
How’re you cooking up that pink?

I got gifted one fish and fileted and froze that one, cut my fish up into filets and then cut the filets into 4" pieces with the belly separate.  I poured about 1/3rd cup EVOO, liberally sprinkled salt and pepper in the oil, added the filets in and slather them around in th eoil and flipped them and did the same thing.  Half were done at this point, I had some left over home made Steve Raichlen Cajun Rub I used for my blackening spice. 

I used my little Q-100 and removed the grill grate and used the cast iron griddle.  Lightly oiled the griddle and left it skin side down for about 4 min, and then 3 min on the spice side (I know that sounds counter intuitive but it works for me).  I hope that helps!