And it begins

Let's start with this...I am not a purist...not by any means...let me explain...I love to catch fish...in the mouth....fairly...play them quickly, take a photo and let them go on their disturbed but merry way. I like to swing streamers when the conditions are right to do so...I also dead drift nymphs...If the fish are devouring size 12 stones then why would I not follow suit. What I do not do is throw so much weight on my line that I drag bottom and cast my fly line as if it were a spin rod...

I began my winter fishing routine this last weekend. It was an event that doesn't happen often enough. I got to fish with my brother. We had a great time. Unfortunetly we did not get on many fish..in fact we actually only hooked into two all day. Such is life..It was a blast watching the salmon run upriver, jumping and smashing into our legs. Of course this time of year brings out the not so sportsman sportsman. When I bring someone with me I teach them to fish for salmon...No lifting, snagging or lining. We fish the lower river usually where they are still aggressive.

We stood witness to some of the most appalling behavior I have witnessed. These guys stood on the bank, in a narrow channel and literally lifting every salmon out that swam through. By lifting I mean, so much weight you can't cast it, dragging it on the bottom until a fish swims past you and snapping the rod up frantically to snag a fish in the face or belly. They would play the fish and go home with it acting puffy chested as if it were a success. I find this behavior disgusting. These people should have their right to fish stripped from them and their gear auctioned to support the advancement of the fisheries.

I brought my switch rod to the event...Put a healthy bend in it with a monster king on the end of the line. I fought this fish back and forth for about 10 minutes before the hook pulled...It made my day even though there was no landing...

A nice Coho that snuck up behind my feet and chilled while I fought the King...

My weekends from this point on will consist of salmon, steels and browns...Stay tuned for lots of fish porn action....