{RPT} Ugly Salmon Light Tackle 10/20 (non-yak)

After the rain Monday morning walked down to the Barge Hole on Sac River fishing for steelhead/trout, using my light tackle, Penn spinning reel, fast action 6'6" rod, 8 lb test, sliding slinky weight with green bomber fly and Whitlock Special fly trailing. Technique my father in-law told me to try, green bomber gets their attention, they take the Whitlock special.

To my surprise on third cast caught the first salmon, 20 minutes to land, can see the size in relation to my foot. Next cast caught the very ugly fish, 25 minute battle, both on the "Green Bomber" fly, picture attached.

I did eventually catch a 12" trout on the Whitlock Special.

Dayum!  Way to go!

Nice catches especially with the flies.  Thanks for the report and pictures eastonkayaker.

I think that 2nd salmon is badass! Wouldn't want to eat it but the coloring is pretty cool along with the big hooked jaw. Bet it had some knarley teeth too and all on a fly!!  thanks for sharing the pics

I think that 2nd salmon is badass! Wouldn't want to eat it but the coloring is pretty cool along with the big hooked jaw. Bet it had some knarley teeth too and all on a fly!!  thanks for sharing the pics

It was right at 40", took 5 minutes, holding it by tail, pushing water through his gills, but he eventually made a couple circles around me and swam off on his own, that guy jumped out of the water at least a half dozen times, tried going upstream and down stream. My little Penn SG2000 reel took a beating, after those two fish it has a catch in it, will have to take it apart, clean and grease.

It takes some skillz to land fish like that with the rod you described.  Very nice work!

Cool!

It takes some skillz to land fish like that with the rod you described.  Very nice work!

Thanks, learned from a few weeks ago when I had a big salmon or steelhead on I didn't get to see, not enough drag, stripped my reel, then had to tighten too much, broke off line, this time, tip up, never let off the pressure, kept the reel up where I could adjust drag both ways in very small increments as they ran, then reeled in whenever I could get them facing me. My wrist, fingers and shoulders were sore.

Also St Croix, Triumph Sport Rod, best I have owned, medium power, fast action, 1/4 to 5/8 oz weight, absorbed the head shakes, great rod for wading or kayak, only 6'6", I think I only paid around $120. 

Man that's incredible to pan a fish like that on that gear.
Way to slay!

Nice catches!

It takes some skillz to land fish like that with the rod you described.  Very nice work!

Thanks, learned from a few weeks ago when I had a big salmon or steelhead on I didn't get to see, not enough drag, stripped my reel, then had to tighten too much, broke off line, this time, tip up, never let off the pressure, kept the reel up where I could adjust drag both ways in very small increments as they ran, then reeled in whenever I could get them facing me. My wrist, fingers and shoulders were sore.

Word.  When I hook a fish that is oversized for my gear, I always remind myself that they'll eventually tire as long as you can keep up with them with constant drag adjustments and keep on the pressure.  It's easier in a wide-open lake or open ocean.  In a snag-infested river, not so much.  Which makes your catches all the more impressive!

Ugly or not, those fish on that gear ... impressive ! Nice work, I bet that was a blast.

Ugly or not, those fish on that gear ... impressive ! Nice work, I bet that was a blast.

+1, nicely done

show us a pic of the entire lure set-up...nice ugly fish too

Very impressive w/ 8lb from the bank!