O, Blessed Day!

The Pro and I got an opportunity to redeem ourselves this morning.  Remember last Sunday when I got two hookups and no salmon?  Remember the entire 2013 salmon season when I still skunk with no salmon landed?  No more....

I arrived at our usual fishing spot in the American River thinking that I was the first one there since the Fish Mobile was the only vehicle in the parking lot.  I looked at the time with my forehead flash light: it was 5:55 am.  Since I was to meet the Pro at 6 am, I thought I had a little time to kill.  Quickly downed my "number 2 with no meat" from Mickey Dee.  Checked the time again: it was 6:04 am.  It occurred to me that the Pro may already be by the River although it was pitch dark.  I went down by the river, and sure enough, the headlights of the Pro's vehicle was on while he was wrapping Kwikfish.  I hurriedly went back to get my gear.  Sunrise was to be at 7:28 am.  So we were in the water past 6:30 am when it was legal to fish.  Once again, we were the only ones fishing :-)

The second pass around the hole where we got two hookups last week, bam!  Fish on!  A twenty pounder was in da boat by 7:30 am.

In the kisser where we like to see 'em

20 pounder 1st salmon for JU in 2013

Around 8:00 am another drift boat joined us on da river.  It was one of Pro's acquaintances.  We left and move further downstream where we were the only game on da river again.  However, after the first pass, we decided to get back to where we belong, upstream where we landed the first one.  Since Pro forgot his trolling motor, he pulled us back to the fish hole the manly way, manual power, baby.  At about the same location, bam!  Fish on, again!  This second salmon in the boat at 9:30 am was 22 pounds.

Barely got this one.  Hook feel off while he was in the net.

22 pounder!

Fresh salmon stakes.  These are small portions from the tail end of the 20 pounder.

Near 10 am we had a take down.  Just as I removed the rod from the holder, it let go.  However, a few seconds later, it chased down the lure and took it down again!  Unfortunately, it let go again....

More pictures from today:

7:06 am

8:13 am

The Pro with the 20 pounder.

The salmon slayer rod of the day: Berkey Cherrywood, Medium-Heavy 7'