First Willy Springer 4-26

I managed to slip out of work early yesterday and made my way down to Willamette Park. I'd gotten some good intel from gon-fishn and figured I'd try the area between the Ross Island Bridge and Willamette Park. I put in at the park around 430 and half trolled, half floated down to the area in front of the Old Spaghetti Factory. Right in that area I marked two schools of fish and saw a boat pick up a fish. I turned upstream and dropped gear. I was just starting to get my stroke down and check my speed when the rod half popped out of the rod holder! I probably had the holder at the wrong angle but either way I grabbed the rod as fast as I could and was amazed to actually find a fish on the other end! After a brief fight the line went slack and I was devastated that I had lost fish! After reeling in like crazy I was much relieved to still feel the fish and then see the distinctive bright flash! It had just turned and ran upstream, now close to the boat the fish one more short run. I was expecting more of a fight but when I got the fish to the side of the boat it turned sideways. Umm, now what, oh yeah the net! Now it's been a good 15 years since I've netted a salmon and I've certainly never done it in a kayak. So I know I probably should have gotten the net into the water and the pulled the fish over the net but in my excitement of trying to get the fish in the boat I'm pretty sure I just stabbed the net below the fish and raised up. Well as soon as I started to raise the net the fish finds some more fight and jumps up and out of the water and lands directly in my lap! I'm pretty sure it was the most ungraceful fish landing of all time but the fish was in the boat and one of the K15 hooks was embedded into my waders so the fish wasn't going any where.

What a fantastic afternoon of fishing. Many talks to Spot for showing me the springer ropes, kykfshr for the great deal on the Tarpon, and gon-fishn for the intel.

Nice one.  I am glad to see I was not only kayaker having success on the water yesterday. 

ARGH...more fish porn.  How is a man supposed to keep his mind on work??? 

Another nice fish!  Great job!

NO FREAKIN WAY?!?!?!?!?   

You've got some serious mojo working Noah!  You're definitly in line for rookie of the year. 
Like I told ya, you need to sign up for the AOTY. 

as soon as I started to raise the net the fish finds some more fight and jumps up and out of the water and lands directly in my lap!

With that much luck in your pocket you're dangerous.

Maybe YOU should be taking ME out for an on the water turorial.   

-Spot-

NO FREAKIN WAY?!?!?!?!?   

You've got some serious mojo working Noah!  You're definitly in line for rookie of the year. 
Like I told ya, you need to sign up for the AOTY. 

as soon as I started to raise the net the fish finds some more fight and jumps up and out of the water and lands directly in my lap!

With that much luck in your pocket you're dangerous.

Maybe YOU should be taking ME out for an on the water turorial.   

-Spot-

Pssh, you're still the master Mark! I actually signed up for AOTY last week Rookie of the year would be awesome, but my main goal is to not finish last!

The fish are throwing themselves at you!?!!??  Mark is right about the mojo juju.

ARGH...more fish porn.  How is a man supposed to keep his mind on work??? 

Another nice fish!  Great job!

+1

I feel your pain, k_84. I'm far from any springer (or saltwater) action, myself. 

Noah

Reading your report puts a big smile on my face.  Way to go out and get it done! 

Scott

Thanks Scott! I can't help thinking that your boat brought me some springer luck!

You can really saay you caught this one!!!

Nice fish!  Great story!

Fishin-T

giddafugouddahere!! i thought that red boat looked familiar... Scott, what did you trade up to, to give away the red boat mojo??

Congrats, that's a beauty.

I remember another newb who pulled off a similar feat about 3 years ago. Here's to hoping your fortune from here on out is better than his. Doh!

Z

congrats man, nice fish... I need to get out there and get in on this action

JEALOUSSSSSS

But also happy for you. Great story. We've all had less than diginfied landings. But it's always good when the hook doens't end up in your hand, leg, or some other body part.

Great job on your 1st Willy Springer. Good pics too... Its nice seeing some bloody kayaks. Also, nice to have you onboard with us.
Cheers!!