One of the best stories of my life. So here it goes.
It was my second fishing trip to Vancouver Island for fishing - The Stamp River, the previous year was Bamfield. We had been catching fish all weekend long (up to 30 lber's) and lot's of guys at the same pool. It was the last day of our 3 day trip, and of course, we had to leave, but I had convinced my cousing that we can't go till I get "just one more".
So, down goes the float, I set the hook, and my girlfriend ask's to let her 6yr old daughter bring it in. No problem I say. The girl gets in front of me and I put the rod in her hands while I still have my hands "cradled around her" and "just in case". So, she gets the rod, and without adjusting her weight or moving her feet (she's square to the fish) she starts "falling forward" from the weight. We all started laughing so hard, I fell over with the rod in one hand while she fall to the rocks and in shock.
So, I get up, start fighting the fish. It heads down river, stopping all the guys from fishing for a bit (I was at the top of the pool). They started to get ticked when I wouldn't just break it off. After about 10 minutes, I got it turned around and it starts to head up river. Went a couple hundred yards up river to where the river got really wide. The fish stayed there for some time when we decided that I just couldn't move it from where we were.
So, cousin says, "just break it off and lets go!" So, I tried too - not! awwwww I say, it won't break off. He decided that he was going to help me to he goes to the truck to get some waders. He gets back and I hand him the rod and I put the waders on. I swear he tried to loose it a couple times cause when I got the rod back, there was a freaking birds nest on the level wind - what a d***.
So, I let all kinds of line out, untangle and get back on the fish. I swear i should have lost this fish 3x over already, but it was still there. I wade to the other side of the river (about 100' in 3' of water) and when I get over there, I get my first look at it. We got this part of video, a big, massive black shadow is all I saw, and it was only then did I realize that this could be a trophy.
After about another 10 minutes, I got it out of the big current and it starts swimming around me. With a 9' rod and 12' leader I was really starting to panic, I promised myself if it gets of, I'm dumping the rod and swimming for this thing. I don't know if I would have had a chance at it or not, but I would have tried. He was definatley tired at this point, but swimming only a foot away from me gave the inclination that I could do it.
I start walking back to shore triing desperately to keep the line tight (used the current alot). Then finally, both of us exhausted, and him just on the edge of the bank, we dive to push it up onto the shore.
The fish was a big buck, a little dark (I didn't care). I was so freakin excited!!! I had the biggest smile when I carring the biggest salmone I'd ever caught down the river bank past all the other guys. We trophy cleaned it, took a few pics, and put it in the cooler.
Now it's on my wall. (Gander's does a fantastic job.) Not as big as some I know, but a trophy for me that I am, and always will be very proud of. So here are the specifics: weighed in at just over 50 lbs. (with no guts) Caught mid September at the Stamp River (over 15 yrs ago) on 10lb test, Gammy red barbless hook with Roe & white wool.
Now, 15 yrs later, I live on the Island, been fishing the outside for last 3 years and am now triing to catch one over 30.
I'm sure this year I'll get a tyee. And to those who have yet to catch a lunker, Good Luck. It's an awesome adventure!!!!
For me, it's the excitement of getting ready, then getting out there and getting them on the line.
Here's hoping you too can get a "one in a lifetime fish"!!!!
