Downtown Chrome

There's something antithetical about chasing salmon in a busy urban setting.  It seemed almost ridiculous to me as I launched at the foot of the Hawthorn bridge. Towering buildings, deafening traffic and a parade of quilted trolls is not what naturally comes to mind.  That perception soon changed as 5min into my paddle I witnessed the 1st of many salmon caught in this most urban setting.

I spent the majority of the day exploring points south of the city.  These were quieter waters and fishy, judging by the flurry of action I saw at mid-day.  At lunch time deepcolor called to let me know he'd seen a couple of fish caught in the heart of the urban roar.  After losing yet another rig to some underwater piling or cable, I made the long troll back north.

I learned a new technique today.  Trolling deepwater for suspended chinook.  Every once in a while I'd see a solid arch on my fish finder between 15 and 20 feet.  At one point my rod even slammed down in 45 feet of water but it didn't last. 

I also learned something about me today.  I'm stubborn.  Yeah, I could have found that out by asking anyone I'm close to but I'd never really internalized it until my last pass of the day.  I'd yet to catch a salmon this day....this year.....in a year.  My mojo was obviously in ashes and my confidence no longer existed.  But, as I meticulously scented my bait and unsatisfied with the spin, changed it out I realized that I wasn't about to waste even a slim chance, as long as a chance existed.  It was as much about spiteing bad luck as inviting good.

Urban Salmon Fishing


Color


Persistence Finally Pays off

Congrats Mark, I had a feeling not having me there might be better for your luck.   I actually stopped and looked for you as I rode my bike over the Hawthorne Bridge to and from work today.

I may have gotten a 1/2 day pass to join you and the rest of the gang on Sunday and yes I know have my fishing license too.

Brian

Very nice.   Now,  I am jealous as I am going to be out of town this weekend.  It should be awesome. 

Sweet!  I was waiting for the story and yep, I will be on the water tomorrow because of it   You will have to come south to my water run sometime, I have it dialed in.  Although I do not have the vehicle traffic or cyclists (one of them) there is a pair of Osprey nesting at my launch and a seaplane lands once in awhile.  I do understand the draw of fishing the Hawthorne though, some things you have to experience to understand...

Nice job Mark, got the stink off!

I see a little grass there...And a tree! Nothing like a day chasing wild salmon in there native habitat..Beep..Beep

Now it's time to start stacking 'em up

Perseverance Pays!  Very nice! 

If the weather forecast holds, first crack at kings and halibut in the salt on Sunday up here in SouthCentral Alaska!

spot hope you saved some fish for us and i sure hope some of your mojo rubs off to all of us


SG

Nice work man!  I feel exactly the same way trolling around that bridge.  It just seems odd.  But hey, if there's fish, who cares!?

Great job spot! Thats s nice looking fish. Good pics as well. It's only the beginning. With only 2000 fish over the falls to date and another 104,000 expected, this year is just getting started. Keep em coming guys! Nice work spot.
Cheers

Nice fish! way to get on the board. 

Trolling for suspended fish can be really effective.  I call it down river trolling.  I dump the boat in up river from there a bit.  Put the rods out at different depths from 8-21 pulls and slowly troll down river.  When I hit the channel I run back up river and do it a again.  It can be a mellow and effective day on the water.  I have thought it would be fun to do this with yaks using peoples cars to shuttle back to the start at the end of the day. Plus with the right gear you can catch fish all the way into June if you can stand the wake boarders

Sweet SWeet SWEET!  Awesome! (Could have been Royal Wedding mojo...it was a special day!) 
The run has stated, with late start maybe it will hold to June? 
Thanks for the report /pics!

Nice job buddy! I expect to see you holding two on Sunday!

Beauty fish Mark.

Wow, what a gorgeous fish. Nice job!

Nice Fish!!!!!
The fish gods are smiling on you again