My first ever Springer, with a fin.

I don't usually post non-kayak fish here but this one was special and from a non-powered DB so...

I hooked, caught, and released my first ever spring chinook on Thursday, near Leaburg while drifting the McKenzie river. 

about a 10# wild springer, right on was all I could think, we shared a great fight in strong current on what I consider 'summer steelhead gear'.  The #2 hook was in the corner of his jaw and I easily removed it with just my fingers (while he was in the net in the water) then I carefully lifted him out and on his way.  my buddy had his GoPro running and he stuck it underwater for the release, I should get that video soon, this is an image capture from it:



PS- rumors that my back twist was minor are true!  clean living, 3 nights camping in the redwoods with my wife, and single malt scotch, good as new and keeping my eye on ocean conditions next week.   

Congrats Roger, beautiful fish and don’t worry about non yak fish we all get them and some post them, myself included.

I don't usually post non-kayak fish here but this one was special and from a non-powered DB so...

I hooked, caught, and released my first ever spring chinook on Thursday, near Leaburg while drifting the McKenzie river. 

about a 10# wild springer, right on was all I could think, we shared a great fight in strong current on what I consider 'summer steelhead gear'.  The #2 hook was in the corner of his jaw and I easily removed it with just my fingers (while he was in the net in the water) then I carefully lifted him out and on his way.  my buddy had his GoPro running and he stuck it underwater for the release, I should get that video soon, this is an image capture from it:

...

PS- rumors that my back twist was minor are true!  clean living, 3 nights camping in the redwoods with my wife, and single malt scotch, good as new and keeping my eye on ocean conditions next week.   

Heck, I even post "bankie" stories, and your report is a good one.  Nice fish, and thanks for the tale.

You're proof of that what the medics fear most, that clean living, redwoods camping, and a fine single-malt can patch up a bum back faster than they can.  Good to hear you're standing up straight again.

Looks like a decent window might appear next week.  Stick with clean living - camping and Highland Park at your discretion.

(You didn't plant a Rex Hunt on that fish did you?  There's a glint in your eye...   )

That's a beauty!  Congrats!

-Mark-

Nice work on that unicorn Roger!