I had the distinct pleasure of getting out on Friday with Trannyman out on Lake O. Al had given me a call and asked if I would join him. Who would say no!
The weather forecast was good and fishing pressure would be down from the bad winds over the last few days. We headed out around 5:30 and surveyed a couple areas before the Bonnet, they didn't look good. So, off we go. The winds were higher than forecasted with 2 footers first thing in the morning swelling to 4-5 footers later in the day. But that wasn't going to slow us down.
We were setup and were hard at it by 6:30, we fished maybe a hour when bang the first rigger goes off. Al says it all yours, geez thanks man, and I grab on and proceed to bring it in, ended up being a nice 22 lber. Measure it for Al's records 32 inches.
The first was then followed up by steady hookups throughout the morning, we went 5 for 5. The best one was the one we picked it up, came with the copper rod, grab it and Bam, starts to spool me 200,300,400 until finally 800 feet back. I now at least have it stopped, this thing is a tank, I can't gain anything on it and it's not moving, after several minutes it's decided we'll have to back down on it, so after a bicep burning experience, I change arms and shake out my tired one ( Al has a little chuckle ) and back to trying to bring this critter home, after what seemed like a eternity we finally are gaining ground on the monster of the deep, I see the spin doctor and say to Al I think it's fouled hooked, he says no, it's mouth hooked, well the great fight finishes and the monster turns out to be the small one of the day 18lbs, 30 inches , it was foul hooked ( in the back ) but gave us a great fight.
All in all it was a great morning, we seem to be doing much better than the other boats out there, only one fish reported between maybe 10 boats, fished 130 feet of water with all fish coming in at the 70-80 foot range, the hot ticket was running M C Rockets, 4 of 5 were caught on rockets, the 5th one came from a spin doctor/fly green combo.
I just have to say thanks to Al, for the invite and the lessons learned from fishing with a true Salmon Guy, Al, your knowledge and skills are unequaled. I look forward to the next time!
Thanks, Gene