Big Tillamook Nook

Oct 18th, Wobbler, my Dad, and I hit Tillmook for some fall salmon action. Although none of us had any luck that day I thought I would pass on the story of someone that did. As Wobbler was pulling off the water he met Dan Clark, who was visiting from Wyoming, getting ready to launch. Here is his story:

Greetings all,

Just a quick update from Oregon where Barb and I are spending a week (recharging my wife Barb's ocean batteries).  We are at Rockaway Beach, where our "best man" Earl and his wife Judy have a little beach cottage.  Barb revels in the view out the west windows where the surf pounds the sand, making a rumbling noise that enhances sleep.

I have taken this opportunity to take my new kayak out – first to Nehalem Bay and today Tillamook Bay (home of the famous Tillamook Cheese that many of us have enjoyed throughout the years).  On Nehalem, I spent two days paddling up, down and across, working with the tides when I could, digging for clams when tides were out and plying river channels for what fish I might hook - all to no avail.

But today on Tillamook, things took a positive turn.  When Barb and I found a good access point, I was welcomed by another kayaker, Steve who said there were some fish being hooked on spinners just outside the breakwater.  He is active in a group of kayak fishermen (NorthwestKayakAnglers.com) and said that there were several of his buddies out among the fish.  He called them on his marine radio to let them know I was coming.  He also gave me a big spinner that he said was the right color and a 6 oz weight to get the lure down to the right level for the salmon that were in the area.

I paddled out, met the other kayakers (2 of them among perhaps 30 power boats), had a short discussion on channel depth and route, discussed trolling speed and agreed to keep in touch with each other.  I then put out the "loaned" spinner and started paddling the channel - among the power boats. The water depth was not great - averaging 10 - 12 feet, this being at high tide.  The wind came up a bit and there was a problem with sea grass fouling the lure so regular checks of the terminal tackle was needed to ensure the lure was functioning properly.

While the tide had turned and was retreating back to the sea, the on-shore wind was stronger and required steady paddling to remain in the main channel.  I worked for about 20 minutes moving upwind/down current to get to the "sweet spot" where some fish had been caught earlier.  Along the way, I was engaged in passing conversations with operators of several nearby power boats who were a bit perplexed with seeing kayak fishermen in the area - wondering what would happen if I caught a fish.  Well after about an hour on the water, I did.  I had just finished the upwind paddle to get into the "sweet spot" and turned toward shore when my rod bowed and line started screaming off my reel.  I pulled the rod out of its rod holder, set the hook and hung on.

The fish headed upstream (away from the bay mouth) with great vigor.  The kayak of course followed. The rod continued to absorb the strain of strong runs and the reel alternately gave up line and then regained it as the fish variously fought and then fatigued.  Together, we moved upstream in intervals of strong surges and then lulls. When I pulled the fish into sight of the kayak, he took off to the hinterlands with vigor.  One of the other kayakers (Noah) saw this action and joined me for the duration.  He had experience in catching salmon from kayaks and was indeed helpful, providing both advice and some equipment that proved helpful.  I kept steady pressure on the fish and when it finally showed signs of weakness, I managed to get it into a landing net and onboard my kayak.  It was a native Chinook salmon, 39" long and weighed in at 26.5 pounds (this was verified when we finally made it to shore).  The length of time from hooking the fish to getting it on the kayak was about 30 minutes.  The distance we traveled in the process was about 1/3 mile.

It was great fun!

A few pictures are attached for those who may be interested.  Catching such a fine fish is exciting in itself.  Doing it from a kayak is even more so.  I had hoped for success in catching an ocean fish in my new kayak and this experience is a perfect fulfillment of that desire.  Noah said it was the biggest fish he had ever seen taken from a kayak - and he is an experienced kayak fisherman.  I have been blessed and thank God for his gift of nature's bounty to me.  I promise to share it with others as Barb and I have in the past with other harvests with which we have been blessed.

Dan Clark
Cheyenne, WY

Gotta love that smile!

Nice job both Noah and Wobbler on the assist!

-Spot-

Gotta love that smile!

Nice job both Noah and Wobbler on the assist!

-Spot-

Thanks. Trickle down effect

I think Dan contacted me about booking a salmon trip but I was booked up when he was going to be in town.  Its awesome he found success!    Big thumbs up Noah and Wobbler for helping him seal the deal.

Good job Wobbler and Noah,  that generous effort to a visitor of our fair lands will come back around to you tenfold.  Nice fat chinook............

Way to share the NWKA love.

Maybe he'll invite you guys out his way for some pronghorn action?

Maybe he'll invite you guys out his way for some pronghorn action?

How do you set the hook?   

Seriously, Dan was just a really nice guy,  Hats off to Noah who talked him through the fight and helped him land it. By the way, did you get that, super special, JuJu enhanced, what the heck give it away spinner back? 

Wobbler

Maybe he'll invite you guys out his way for some pronghorn action?

How do you set the hook?   

Seriously, Dan was just a really nice guy,  Hats off to Noah who talked him through the fight and helped him land it. By the way, did you get that, super special, JuJu enhanced, what the heck give it away spinner back? 

Wobbler

Didn't I give you the spinner back? I thought I had but maybe it's in my garage. I'll look around. It was a team effort

That things a serious piggy. Excellent work!!

Great post.  Its good to see people being nice to each other - too rare these days. 

This story is in perfect align with everything I've ever seen from Noah and Steve. They are always helping others and some of the nicest guys I've ever met!

Great story, great fish, great pics! Thanks for posting this Noah.

Great story for a gusty winter's day. If I see more than 2 kayak fishermen up here, we call it a convention.
T2