Chasing Nook on the 9th

 Heading out to the coastal rivers or columbia on Tuesday the 9th for my last salmon run of the summer. Weather & solunar activity are looking ideal so send me a PM if anyone wants to join. Fish on!
Hugh

I left PDX at 4 AM, running solo cause one friend didn’t follow through & you guys never responded. Unless it’s the ocean, I don’t mind being out alone cause I find I focus more on actually catching fish and there’s always more beer when I reach in the cooler
Tied my final knots and paddled off shore at 6:20AM, trolling opposite the tail end of the low tide. The first half hour of the morning was slow but relaxing as I settled into the slow smooth troll of the Kone Zone. I soon found myself getting into two long brawls & loosing two very nice fish due to netting errors on my part. The variables of the changing current, maneuvering a hand paddle kayak, and hooking into these incredible fish, does not complete the challenge of the day. Netting these beasts from a kayak is yet another skill I have underestimated & realize I have much to practice. 
With an arm ache and growing confidence I trolled on & watched as some older gentlemen fought a giant red belly Chinook. I later found out it weighed in at just under 34lbs. The next hour through both sides of slack tide I hooked into two more black mouths that continued to tear my arm up as they were being successfully netted…although it wasn’t pretty.
Off the water at 10AM, I couldn't help but smile because I knew I'd earn some brownie points by coming home early to spend the afternoon with the lady.

On the way home I was thinking of all the research & experience its take to get to this point. I want to give credit & thanks to the veterans of kayak fishing who continue to share their knowledge & experiences that & help a growing kayak fishing community make incredible memories & unforgettable experiences. You know who you are. Fish on!

Awesome!!

Nice fish and great story. Sounds like you really had it dialed in. Congrats!

Nice!

Well done!

Nice work!!! The stuff dreams are made of. How big did your fish go? They look solid!

Dang!

Sweet!  Going out today to see what we can get.

Sweet limit.

That's awesome.  Good job!

Nice way to spend the day!!  Sounds like you got educated by the nooks in netting - there's really only one way to learn that skill, and now you got it down.  Great Job.  That's a LOT of salmon.  Did you launch and retrieve from the Wheeler boathouse?

Haha...love the jab.."you guys never responded"...methinks we will pay more attention when harrishugh0 goes chasing nooks here on out.
Awesome fish,great story!

Bummer you couldn't find anybody to join you - bummer for us that is!  A couple of great looking fish.  I'm planning on being out there on Friday, hoping to replicate your catch!

-Sam

Nice report, great fish! Way to get it done and still have a day ahead of you - those are the best days IMHO.