The Salmon run was off to a slow start for me this season due to some worrying drought conditions. We were desperately in need of rain here in Upstate NY. It even got to the point where radio shows were broadcasting drought warnings and advising people to take short showers. MY first few trips up to Salmon River were uneventful due to this low water. I would occasionally see someone hook up with a fish, but it was rare. I would even see a few small Kings swim by me when I was fishing, but again this was rare. It was not until fairly late in the season that I finally found the Salmon. The King Salmon were a mystical unicorn in my head - I would see pictures of people holding up monstrous fish, and it blew my mind. How would I ever land on of these beasts on a fly rod?
First, I needed a bigger rod. Now understand, I am all about fishing on a budget and I never by top dollar items at this point in my life. My go-to trout rod is a five weight True Temper from 1925 that I found for $15 at an antique store, A&A Treasures in Sylvan Beach, NY to be exact. My warm water fishing rod is a 6-weight South Bend Deluxe that I found at that same store for $11. Both rods work beautifully. I had ideas of trying to catch a King on the six weight and just holding on for dear life, but I knew I needed something with a bit more backbone, not to mention a reel with a good smooth drag. I found the rod portion of this equation at the Bull Barn antique store in Vernon, NY. I stumbled upon a True Temper Custom 8 weight rod that was on sale for $17.50. It was kind of odd looking, being white and teal/blue in color. But hey, and eight weight is an eight weight and I knew these old True Tempers were made to last. The ferrules needing some serious repair, as they had seen some miles. There were metal, worn, and very sharp, indicating to me that someone had used this rod to fight some monster fish at some point in its life.
A quick stop at Salmon River Sports Shop got me my reel, an Okuma SLV 7/8 weight reel that had the drag I was looking for. The folks at the shop were kind enough to teach me how to fix the ferrules as well. After a couple night of rod repair at home, the rod was ready to go, or at least I hoped it was!
I went to the Upper Fly zone and started to scout for some fish. I could not find a thing. I hiked downstream to some rapids and thought I saw some fins breaking the surface here or there. I stopped and observed. I soon saw some fish fighting in the water, breaking the surface and making whitewater. Some of them looked massive. I had found the Kings, but could I catch one? I tied on a Wooly bugger and cast into the rapids. I caught rocks a few times, but no Kings. I kept trying and hooked into something that I originalyl thought was a rock, until I set the hook. I thought I felt some movement on the end of the line, so I cranked on the rod and set the hook hard.
It was like I had connected with a lightning bolt.
The water erupted into whitewater and a huge male King took of upstream and across the river. He took me for a LONG walk! It took me about 25 minutes to get him in. He may not have been the freshest fish in the river, but he put up a good fight. My arms, chest and shoulders were burning by the end of it.
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