The Cure for Insanity

Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results

I’ve spent more than my share of days chasing springers this year.  On day one, I was fully confident that my rolling, plug-cutt herring would be putting a fish in my yak.  On day two I chalked up my loss to it still being early in the season.  On day 3 I snagged and broke off my leader right at the hooks.  
Being my last pass, I opted for the easy route and tied on a small rainbow spinner I’d found. (Never overlook the gifts of fate)  Minutes into my paddle back to the car, my rod started pumping and the rod tip buried into the water.  Fish on!  One loooong upstream run followed by some solid head shaking and Fish off….  “Wow!  What a fluke.” I thought, and promptly ignored the implications.
On day 5, or was it 6, I paddled out with all the confidence of a 6 y/o T-Ball player who finds himself mistakenly assigned to a competitive 4th grade team.  The only thing that had me on the water was my pig headed determination.  
Again, I found myself pulling a rolling herring up and down the river.  I’d occasionally see a whooping power-boater land some chorme on their headless herring, which gave me my only glimmer of hope.  It’s a dark day fishing when expectation is replaced by hope.
Looking back to my only success thus far, I made the plan to switch to a spinner at 11:00AM.  Seeing the occasional fish landed on herring however side tracked my plans.  I was sure I was doing everything right.
Around noon, fate stepped in once again.  At the start of what was to be my last circle on this merry go-round my bait snagged on some unseen watery kick in the ass.  When I finally broke free, I found that my hook was gone but my leader was still in tact.
“OK fish gods” I said out loud.  “I’m listening”.  
Out came the spinner.  Not as big as a thumper but larger than a rainbow.  The color scheme chosen by the old mnemonic “Gold plus red makes springers dead”.  10 feet of progress and my rod goes bendo!  The fight was less than stellar and shortly, I found this joker on the end of my line.

“Nice….Really nice….”  I said sarcastically to the elements.  
Once I’d fininshed cataloging the unexpected AOTY SMB points I was back on troll.  Half way up thru the upstream pass the rod goes bendo again.  Only this time, line starts stripping and my yak swings 90 degrees.  SPRINGER!!!  
Somehow, after so much building anticipation and anxiety, I managed to keep my cool and let the fish dictate the fight.  Seeing the adipose fin helped to further relieve the pressure and after a little give and take, my 1st springer of the year was in the net!

At this point I was satisfied.  My fishing skills (to be read “Luck”) had been validated and all was finally right with the world.  With a new spring in my arms, I pushed off to finish my last pass.
Just as I prepared to swing around for the downhill troll, my rod started bending.  Slowly at first, with just a little pump to in and suddenly it was buried with line screaming from the reel.  “Fish On!!!”.  I’m not sure if she was actually stronger than the native buck I’d previously landed or if I was just scared of messing things up when I saw her adipose was gone, but this fight was long and hard-won.


-Spot-

What a great story from the kayak springer master!
Nice work Spot!

 

A very successful two-for session!

Nice job!  The water temp is creeping up there and soon it will be hardware over bait.  Gotta love the ease and economy of fishing spinners!

Nice work, Spot. I'd have been extremely happy to catch that interloping smallie.
That wild buck looks so very, very chrome in the pic. Good work bringing in the hen!

I troll spinners in the lower rivers for the fall Kings here in my area. I usually only use herring out in the Bay or Harbor.
I've gotten two fall Kings on the LC trolling spinners in the mouth of the Cowlitz before, too. Hooked a 20 lber in 7 feet of water, and it nearly spooled me! No where to run but away! Got her in, though.
I didn't think I had the time, but maybe I'll have to head down that way soon.

Yeah money! Congrats.

Z

Thanks guys!

CHM, the Kalama, Lewis and Cow should all be getting a few fish by now.  Go get em!!!   

Why haven't I been seeing any other PDX yakers out on the river?  Come on guys, they're here!

-Spot-

NICE!  I really need to learn how to fish for Salmon!  I would love to catch a nice one like that. 
Great photos, need one of your magic spinner...
-Scott

Thanks guys!

CHM, the Kalama, Lewis and Cow should all be getting a few fish by now.  Go get em!!!   

Why haven't I been seeing any other PDX yakers out on the river?  Come on guys, they're here!

-Spot-

Had my 2nd day out there today and another skunk. I even lost the plug that caught my first springer...

Jay

  Come on guys, they're here!

-Spot-

I second that! There are good numbers of fish in the willy, best numbers I have seen in a few years!

Good job Spot! You might consider getting one those fishy measuring devices though. You know, the long thing with the ruler on it!

13.8725"?

13.8725"?

13 and 349/400ths of an inch, huh? Leave it to an engineer!  

 

that story sounds all to familiar, except for that spinner part.  I've logged about 35 hours between Sellwood and Willow Bar with nothing to show for it. Heading out now to the mouth of the Lewis to see if my luck will change...

simply inspiring. thank you
reports like this make me want to reprioritize my fishing destinations