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Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

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Puyallup River Report
Pierce County, WA

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09/05/2011
Drift Fishing
Chinook Salmon
Orange
Corky & Yarn
Morning
09/05/2011
5
2554

I have been skunked at the Puke the past three trips. It was embarassing when people are posting 5's on thier reports and I made a thread asking for help on drift fishing. I met up with C_Saeteurn so we can make a line with casting order and combat fishing etiquette. We got to the spot that we wanted about an hour before sunrise. I caught three pinks when everybody started showing up.. At that point, I just wanted to catch a fourth fish and get the heck out.

C_S left, so my girl and I were trying to limit on pinks. This is when things get very interesting. Its been awhile since I had a fish on and people around me were catching pinks still. It was frustrating. So I make a cast like I have all day long. I feel something wierd and set the hook. The fish comes in real slow like a foul hooked fish. I get the darn thing 10-15 yards close to me and it shoots downstream.. One of the guys was like you have a king on. This king is peeling off my line and all I can do is watch with excitement. I decided to chase the king downstream since the people were nice enough to give me room to fight it. The fish decides to go into a tree that was partially in the water. At the same time, someone across the bank, had their line tangled with my line. My line is trapped in the branches and I was sad becuase I thought I lost the fish.

The other guys line was untangled from my main line and I tugged on the leader. The leader line tugged back. Its back on like Donkey Kong. I broke off the branches that my line was stuck on and pull the fish back out to open water. The smart fish tries to dash back in, but its tired and I have some control over it. After several minutes that seem like forever, I am close to banking the king. My girl comes over with a net and I didnt want her to net it. Keep in mind, I dont know how good her netting skills are. Eventually she nets the king head in first like a champ becuase I never got enough leverage to bank it. I bonked the hatchery buck and raised it in the air like the Lombardi trophy. It was my proudest fishing moment during the past three years since I started fishing again. The best part was sharing it with my girl.

Once again, thanks to everyone that responded back when I made a thead how do you now you have a fish on while drift fishing. I took the advise and caught a king today.


Comments

kingfisher101
9/5/2011 2:15:00 PM
Nice size king you got there, when ever i hook onto kings they take the line downstream and most of the people dont do nothing they know i got something big but they dont reel in or move so i have to try to forse it in slowly but every time Snap goes my line only like 7 or 8 people reel theres in and back up.. what part of puke do you fish? i fish the area on mainstreet behind the safeway part or the right aid i dont know anywhere that is a good hole and doesnt have as much fallen trees the area i go has many trees ands snags..I need help
afk
9/5/2011 2:21:00 PM
It sounds like your girl is a keeper!!!! Thanks for a good read.
Aaidian
9/5/2011 2:55:00 PM
VGJ! Amazing differences in every way between the species of salmon and which run they are on...you now have a story that will only get better with time too :-)

Lots of roe as well, score!
c_saeteurn
9/5/2011 3:20:00 PM
LOL, i choked on my beer when i saw the cropped out picture of the background, thats actually not a very bad idea.
I still have some quality fish with my name on them. lol
tight lines
88S10Sport
9/5/2011 4:15:00 PM
Nice! my buddies and I have been skunked every time I have gone down to the river, which is mostly in the early mornings. I am about ready to give up!
returnofthefish
9/5/2011 4:46:00 PM
@ Aaidian - I almost got 2 pounds worth of roe from those three pink hens
@C-S - You know what happened today at that spot. We dont need it getting worse.
@88s10sport - I slayed them the last pink run. The three times being skunked was very frustating to say the least. I started to believe that I didnt know how to drift fish anymore. My friend told me keep on trying and persistence paid off. I was also making small talk with the people that were catching fish and learned a thing or two. Just come at someone in a friendly way and maybe someone can help you out.
scarlin40
9/5/2011 9:03:00 PM
you talking about the tree in the river kinda gives it away haha. tight lines my friend. nice looking fish.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709