A hard springer lesson learned

 I have been skunked this year too many times to count & I keep thinking of something Nate wrote about burning out before the real numbers come in. Monday I praised the salmon gods & woke with a little more patience in my step. Thirty minutes into the early morning troll my rod began to dance like it hit gold, or mud, & I gave it a good hard paddle stroke. At first she came in easy, but immediately stripped out line as I fumbled to find the right drag setting on my new Release reel that I still haven’t dialed in. She gave me hell and I felt I was losing the battle as I heard Minnowmagnet trying to give me the best advice he could at the time. It was too late & with the drag cranked down she busted me off before I could regain control. This was the only bite I saw all morning & recovering from one of my mistakes has rarely been more difficult. I kept reciting to myself “light drag & don’t attempt to net them until you see them belly up,” as instructed by Nate, Spot, & Rawkfish. I always have to learn the hard way.
The next few hours were torture as I collected my thoughts & rekindled my confidence. It was almost high noon & my time on the water was running out. I decided to switch to a prawn setup that I don’t have much confidence or experience fishing. I went through a few before getting the right spin that I wanted. I was at the end of my drift & coming off a ledge that drops from 20 to 50 feet When I got one VERY faint bounce on my rod that didn’t seem right. I began to reel in a good amount of slack line before I felt some head shakes on the other end.  This one began peeling off yards of line right away & came to the yak many times only to turn on a dime & shark fin away just off the waters’ surface. I have a new appreciation for the unbelievable stamina & flavor of spring salmon. Thanks guys for sharing your knowledge & tasty libations at the seminar, as everything you’ve said has proven to be true. Minnowmagnet thanks for lending a shoulder to cry on & the constructive criticism.

Congrats man. That's a beaut!

Way to stick with it.  Congratulations!

Perseverance, patience, strength and Minnowmagnet to console you, if only we could all be so lucky. I have fished with that guy a few times enough to consider him a friend. I'm glad he was there to share in your excitement and you kept at it way to go. That is a beautiful fish and a big smile. Congrats and may you catch many more. 

You did it !! Way to go.

Way to persevere through the doldrums of springer fishing, hopefully you don't have to wait to long for your next one. 

Nice job, Hugh. I certainly have learned the hard way about trying to net a hot fish. Sometimes they come right to you and want to raise hell right next to the boat.Kind of a relief when they start peeling drag. Congrats!

Would definitely be interested in a review of the Release when ya get it dialed. Star or lever? Do they make left hand? Pricey?
Thanks.

There is no substitute for perseverance!  Way to go!! Beautiful fish!!!

Well done my friend!  Way to put the pieces together and keep your wits about you.

-Mark-

Way to go!  You learned on your first lesson??  You're destined for stardom, we'll be seeing more of those  springer photos from you.

excellent work!!

Beautiful! Sounds like a fun time in the water amidst the challenges :]

Wow, great fish. It is hard to think pass the adrenaline while in the moment. I think I have my drag at its right setting, but never know until it happens. Good share, thanks.

Great looking fish!  That's a serious looking handle on your meat crank  ...looks like you mean business!