Stizzla, line through the head first time!! Especially on the chrome heads, when there is that little bit of paint? still covering it, and you've lined it up so perfectly it blasts right through... that one, that's the one that will get the tyee. It's ready to work!
First light, shallow water, mooching rods, rubbing next to the kelp... nothing beats that, especially on the north coast of Haida Gwaii. Anyone lucky enough to have spent time there knows the feeling. High slack, water starts to trickle, adrenaline starts to pulse, 7 pulls, rod doesn't buckle, but slowly corks over and then the head shakes start. Full body head shakes, rod tip pulsing a couple feet either way on each toss of the 40? 50? pounder's head! The behemoth blows up on the surface, shows off it's adipose fin the size of beer can, tail as broad as flasher, and shoulders that make the Rock a little jealous. Here comes that adrenaline, now exploding through your body like the line off your reel. And then, pop. He spits it..... he spat it?! He SPAT it?! But I set it perfectly, those hooks were in, I crushed it, he was already taking line, the drag was perfect, are those hooks sharp, razor sharp. He spat it!?
Ahhhh, but there's honestly nothing that makes me want to keep fishing more than those moments, that one, THE one, that keeps you searching for that adrenaline pulse. The landed fish are always great, but it's the ones we don't get that are the not so little things that really keep me excited on the water.
Also, anytime the sun is on the horizon, the beers are flowing, and friends and family are onboard with smiles on their faces.
Can't wait for summer to return!
