A Big Siletz River Fall Chinook

Got to fish the Siletz with Gary and Dan this morning.   I had to work in the afternoon so it was going to be a shortened trip.   We launched at a new launch this time... The Siletz Moorage, just above the 101 bridge.   The owners are the nicest people and everyone should give these people their business.   They are happy to help with anything you need, donate fish bags, etc.

After putting the boat in, we trolled upriver with an incoming tide with no runs, no hits, and no errors.  We turned around and headed back down.   I was running the kicker while holding my rod straight out the back, rather than using the rod holders.  I felt a SMACK on my line, then looked back in time to see it buckle numorous times.  I finally lift up and set the hook.  FISH ON!!  A couple screaming runs, as well as a trip under the boat and back around later, the fish began to tired and swam in to Gary's new net, that had only been used twice now.... Both of MY Siletz fish!~   Sorry, Gary, had to christen the net for ya.....Twice!
This fish was pushing 30lbs!   ...One of my largest salmon in the past few years!

Around noon, they dropped me off to clean my fish while they trolled out front and checked the crab pots.   As Gary was letting out his line, BAM!  I hear the commotion from land and yell out to them.  I grabbed my camera and was able to document the whole fight in just a few pics...

A nice 10lb coho!   Congrats!   These fish, along with limits of large crab are going to make for some great dinner tonight...

Crab Cake-Stuffed Salmon!  MMmmmm!

Bon Apetite!