CLofchik Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 Some guys live for opening day of bass, others for fall steel. I love fall chinooks off the piers, late summer gun metal freight trains, giddity giddity. On hearing rumours that an early run was on I couldn't help myself and roused early to be casting before dawn. Ahhhh, the ozone hiss of the flash warming up, following the graceful arc of the glo spoon descending towards the calm waters like a falling star landing in an inland sea. Feeling the thump-thump of the spoon slowly working, the anticipation of the strike that may never come. But this morning the wait isn't a long one, a STRIKE, a short hit but that was definitely a FISH. Only five casts in, this is going to be a memorable morning. Another half hour of casting, varying retrieves, the occasional large fish rising, was that a carp or something more silver? Then the hit, BAMMMM, slam the rod back quickly three times to lay the big single hook in deep and the weight is still there, then the familiar cry that hasn't been uttered since last season, FISH ON! A few head shakes, then the run. Drag screams as line melts off the spool as the silver fresh fish moves quickly left, then out of the water in three successive leaps. The barely dawn light glistens from it's silvery blue sides as it crashes back down into the water and begins a quick bulldogging fight, trying to keep deep but the steady pressure of braid & flourocarbon eventually wins the tug of war. Coming to net after a valiant fight the exhausted fish lays quietly as the first king of the season hits the concrete. Wooooo baby this is going to be a banner season! Glorious colours, from an inch away it's hard for the wide angle to capture all of the fish................................... Okay, it may be a little small, but it's still a KING. First one of the year. Woot, another 12.5" for Team #4
highdrifter Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 OH now you've done it! If you were working on tipping the scales for a mass pandemonium to the piers, then mission accomplished! LOL That's a purty little king though. Congrats. Me want.. ME WANT!! cheers HD
Leecher Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 Great job CLofchik That sure was a fun read Thanks for sharing Leechman
splashhopper Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 Umm..I Googled "Armpit of Ontario" and didn't see where that was I guess i will wait for the run at "The Prettiest Town in Canada". to come in too. Thanks for the teaser though LoL Splashhopper
highdrifter Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 nice catch what pier were u fishing from>??
salmon Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 Nice I can see the line up at Lebarons for the Cleos LOL Jose
lookinforwalleye Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 That`s some blow by blow account for a 12 incher! I can`t wait for the report for the 25 pounder!!
TroutnMuskieHunter Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 great report thanks for the good read!
StrealHeader Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 Is it just me or did you slaughter an atlantic?
wallacio Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 Difficult to say from the photo but the overall shape and forked tail does suggest an Atlantic (only 1 over 24.8" may be retained).
highdrifter Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 Is it just me or did you slaughter an atlantic? WHOAH. Another funny!! j/k Personaly, I don't feel that slaughter is the right word here. It would be more along the lines of harvest... Nothing wrong with that. He wasn't exactly lining fish with marshmellows. I can see why you would think it's a salmo salar because of the markings, but young jack kings (this fish is probably a year old) also have these markings.. I'm pretty positive that it's a chinny. Anyone care to back me up on this one? HD
DT10Sam Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 (edited) Pretty sure that is not a chinook check the tail on it and it will tell you that it is another salmon....most likely an Atlantic. I have been fishing chinooks for some time and the young shakers that we get definitely do not have the same tail as the one in the pic and the colours are different. You will have google some pics and you will see that it is not a chinook. Regards, Sam Edited July 28, 2008 by DT10Sam
steverowbotham Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 (edited) pretty sure its an atlantic, meaning that the harvest was not legal seeing as it would have to be greater than 24.8 inches. Edited July 28, 2008 by steverowbotham
highdrifter Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 Pretty sure that is not a chinook check the tail on it and it will tell you that it is another salmon....most likely an Atlantic. I have been fishing chinooks for some time and the young shakers that we get definitely do not have the same tail as the one in the pic and the colours are different. You will have google some pics and you will see that it is not a chinook. Regards, Sam Maybe a coho? I'm not convinced that it's an atlantic. The jaw line and eyes just arn't right. Also, young chinook parr do have forked tails...
wuchikubo Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 I think it's a Coho too. No large black spots on back or gill plate.
highdrifter Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 pretty positive its an atlantic, meaning that the harvest was not legal seeing as it would have to be greater than 24.8 inches. You ever caught one?
Spiel Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 ....My thoughts.... While I'm not certain it's a Coho I am certain it's not an Atlantic. The caudal peduncle, to small and to narrow. The tail to deeply forked which now leads me to this....Pink. Pinks have very deep forked tails. Or a real possibility, Pinook! Oh yes I have caught an seen a handful of Atlantics. A few better shots would help.
scuro Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 Umm..I Googled "Armpit of Ontario" and didn't see where that was I guess i will wait for the run at "The Prettiest Town in Canada". to come in too. Thanks for the teaser though LoL Splashhopper Armpit of Ontario has got to be Sudbury or the Hammer.
Greencoachdog Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 Noice fish!!! It looks like cutbait for Catfish to me... but what does a Redneck know aboot Salmonoids?
Joey Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 Awesome, way to go. We'll take as many points as we can get Nice fish. Joey
Burtess Posted July 29, 2008 Report Posted July 29, 2008 (edited) For comparison, here is an atlantic I caught off a Lake O pier in the spring of '07. The heavy scale loss looks similar to the scale loss on the fish I caught. Coho and chinook do not usually lose that many scales with gentle handling. Head looks a little large compared to the body though... Burt Edited July 29, 2008 by Burtess
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