Interesting surprise

[n8r1]

I was fishing for a late salmon yesterday morning. After fighting (and losing) a big Chinook that will haunt me the entire offseason, I cast back into the spot, swung my spinner through the back of the hole, and ended up hooking this ugly buck. After a quick picture he was safely released.

I've seen the occasional chum on this stream, but haven't heard of one being caught. Fun fish and a great fighter. I would guess he was about 32 inches and somewhere in the 12-15 lb range.

 

[SmallStreams]

Ugh-ly! LOL

Do chum have soft mouths? Looks like your hook has nearly pulled loose and the few chum I've hooked have popped loose.

 

[waco]

It will be interesting if you post on what stream it was caught. Other than that is not surprising to see chums all around the coastal rivers. Nestucca, Trask, Tillamook, Wilson, Kilchis and Miami rivers all have chums on it.

 

[halibuthitman]

the river that was in also has a decent chum run... and big creek hatchery got 14 chum back today... little pockets of these horrid fish everywhere!!

 

[fishsauce]

Good work Nate. Yeah, that river does get a small chum run.