Olympia Priest Park Silvers

Polyangler all but put a silver in my hands off Priest Park in Olympia. Was bank fishing for the first time to check out a Saturday kayak launch.  Lost all excess air body after almost stepping on a possum while feeling my way down a path through the woods at 0-dark-30. I thought they just tipped over but this one offered a large hiss in the dark.  Got to the beach and fish were rolling.  Quickly learned that an 8 lb (est) silver hitting a vibrax being pulled by braided line through about 5 feet of water and only about 10 feet from the tip of the pole is REALLY a green fish demanding a light (lighter than I had set) drag, but, it was an exciting 30 seconds.  Lightened the drag way up and saw several fish being caught from the banks by the time Poly and a friend paddled past.  While fish were rolling and several boats were anchored 30-40 feet from shore I decided to walk toward the mouth of the river on a nice beach with some overhanging trees. Second lesson was that my fish grabber (hanging from my belt with a bungee type cord)  turns into a lethal dart when it snags and then releases while I was crawling through low branches.  Was impressed with the aim as it nearly dropped me after hitting right on my hip bone.  Next lesson was due to the first time casting with braided (I usually troll from the kayak) line.  I can assure you that it will twist (the way I set up) even with a couple of swivels and a bead in the line.  Crap, who ever said it's slippery and doesn't hold a knot has never had a vibrax snap back over their head due to line twist on the open-face reel.  Line was twisted on the spool and thought I cut the right section.  Thought I would just let the short piece fly off during the cast.  I can assure you that a vibrax that's turned loose with a short piece of line from an 8 foot pole following a big cast REALLY goes a long way with the line waving back as I watched my new vibrax sail.  No danger of anyone on the beach stepping on that hook.  By now it was time to walk back  and the next lesson was a 5-6 foot raise of tide really makes a big difference with trees on the walking area on the beach.  I guess that's why we use kayaks.  Had to hand-over-hand up a steep hill pulling on ivy, but made it.  Got back to where I put in and the beach was nearly gone.  Crap again (still a great morning).  Decided I'd try a few casts and was immediately rewarded with a to-be-released cut throat that I really tried to view as a 14 inch silver, but not even I believed it.  Really appreciate Poly's tips and will put in Saturday morning with the kayak after untwisting my braid.  There's a "stair" launch at the park and a nicer easier one across the bay at West Bay Park. 

Was good to meet you, and happy to help! Would have been nice to see you bank that fish, but some of the best memories are the ones that get away. Hopefully I'll see you there Sat!

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Thanks to polyangler again.  He was wader fishing when I get the to Ellis creek this AM.  He had fish and I was still skunked although at times the activity rivaled the flying carp videos. 
The fish were real shallow in 4-7 feet of water.  Thinking of hanging it up as the wind suddenly jumped pretty strong when this 10-lb (actually scaled it) nailed a green body silver bladed #5 vibrax.  They get pretty scooty in that shallow of water and it offered several long runs, the one directly behind me was the most fun.

Really happy to see you get a solid fish! I've been impressed with the quantity and quality of coho down there right now. Hoping to get at least one more shot at them before it's over. I've got a technique hypothesis, and would like to carry out the experiment [emoji6]

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Admin- Please put this in the members only section. This fishery doesn't need the pressure the internet- thanks!
Trident- glad you got one after the effort you put in the past couple of days.