Alan's Workbench
Salmon Fishing in Northern California
May. 13 2010, 4:13 PM
May. 13 2010, 4:13 PM
Salmon Fishing in Northern California
It caught most of us by surprise. Even when we were told that it was actually going to happen, I think many did not believe it. We could actually go salmon fishing again (thanks, Darryl!). It had been so long that many of us had forgotten how. There was so much to do and there was so little time. Boats needed full systems checks, downriggers needed to be rerigged, reels had to be respooled, and leaders had to be retied. And yes, much of that did not happen. We had not been salmon fishing the previous two seasons! Old salmon gear was pulled out, dusted off and thrown onto the boat with the expectation that it would work just fine. For many skippers on opening day, if it could go wrong, it did go wrong.
It caught most of us by surprise. Even when we were told that it was actually going to happen, I think many did not believe it. We could actually go salmon fishing again (thanks, Darryl!). It had been so long that many of us had forgotten how. There was so much to do and there was so little time. Boats needed full systems checks, downriggers needed to be rerigged, reels had to be respooled, and leaders had to be retied. And yes, much of that did not happen. We had not been salmon fishing the previous two seasons! Old salmon gear was pulled out, dusted off and thrown onto the boat with the expectation that it would work just fine. For many skippers on opening day, if it could go wrong, it did go wrong.
The radio chatter on opening day was filled with stories of broken leaders and fish lost at the net. Salmon fishing is all about monofilament, not spectra, and netting, not gaffing. You don't run straight after a hookup. You turn the boat towards the side that was picked up and then you keep turning the boat, trying to keep the fish directly abeam. Netting is fairly simple once you learn the technique, but most skippers will agree that there are just some people that should never be allowed to touch a net. Using three year old fishing line is never a good idea, but that is exactly what many were doing. And the downriggers! What a mess! The wire on most of these downriggers was three years old. That's three years worth of salt corrosion. Wires were breaking left and right. Everyone was losing downrigger balls. They're 12 or 15 pounds each and the cost over $3 per pound!!!!
I was able to fish on opening day with one of the local 6-pack charter captains, Tim McGuerran. His boat was already in the water at Moss Landing. That meant not having to wait in line at the launch ramp. I had already gone through his reels, he runs his boat year round so it was already in top shape, and he had taken the time to tie up fresh leaders. Like many, he did not replace the downrigger wire and we lost a downrigger ball as a result. My first attempt at netting was laughable, but i stuck the next four fish with ease. It was just great to be on the water again. Perhaps it was that long time away that made that evening's dinner so enjoyable!
I was able to fish on opening day with one of the local 6-pack charter captains, Tim McGuerran. His boat was already in the water at Moss Landing. That meant not having to wait in line at the launch ramp. I had already gone through his reels, he runs his boat year round so it was already in top shape, and he had taken the time to tie up fresh leaders. Like many, he did not replace the downrigger wire and we lost a downrigger ball as a result. My first attempt at netting was laughable, but i stuck the next four fish with ease. It was just great to be on the water again. Perhaps it was that long time away that made that evening's dinner so enjoyable!
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