by David Johnson
For the last few weeks I've been hearing of a few "winter chinook" being caught around the north Oregon coast.
This week we were fortunate to catch our own. Aaron's bobber sucked under and then he had his hands full trying to keep his 8# leader intact as this beast tore up the hole.
A chrome bright hen fresh in from the ocean, sea lice included.
On the coast it's not open to keeping Chinook between December 31 and April 1 so back she went. That's ok though, truly a trophy to catch one and fun when you are not expecting it. If you are lucky enough to catch one of these fish be gentle, there isn't a lot of them.
Historically Chinook have entered a lot of the coastal rivers every month of the year, with spring, summer, fall and winter runs overlapping but with modern development many of these runs have been lost but there are still a few around.
The latest we've caught winter Chinook was February 28 and friend of mine caught a bronzed buck that actually had sea lice during one low water March 15.
Comments (15)
I remember that February 28th Chinook, because we caught a Springer on the Columbia the same day. If I remember right your chinook was twice the size of our fish from Caterpillar Island....
What a nice fish!! Love the shape of its head/face and its markings! Thanks for sharing!
Nice job....should I ever get back out west I'll try and book a trip with you. Maybe even get Brandy to go if timing is right.
Take care.
That's a beauty! My two latest were January 29th and February 6th. These late ones are always a treat to catch even though when first hooked you think you've got a 20# plus buck steelhead on your line. I fished at the house today but lost two jigs to snags in under 20 minutes and it was cold as heck so I quit and went back to the house!
Hey -- Jennies name got posted but I'm bill -- bill,
Bill
I hooked one like that at Mills Bridge on January 3rd and let my friend from Iowa pull it in. Of course we let it go.
Hope there's a buck around to make some babies!
Yeah, "Be Gentle" and hold it way up out of the water and take lot's of pictures. Sick, why don't you do the right thing and keep it IN the water and release it unharmed !?!
MartyP, I've fished with David Johnson and also seen him in action from my boat. There isn't anyone that takes better care of a fish.
Where you there? Do you know how many pictures were taken? Do you know how she was taken are of?
What do you know?
Could he be Marty Peterson, a jealous guide? You're on the right blog Marty, but you have a lot more to learn than just how to fish...
Nothing SICK about it MARTYP, lots of pics NOT.
Two quick pics above the water and a few under the water as she was being held for revival.
She was handled WAY, WAY less than any fish that is handled for the brood stock program. Yea, that program you worked on before you were burned out from guiding.
I'm sure you've taken a picture or two of past clients "fish of a lifetime"
Yes David, I'm sorry I know I should have handled those fish for the broodstock program WAY WAY more gentle, what with the zero mortality and all. But at least I handled those fish for the broodstock program WAY WAY more than you did. Something I happen to be very proud of and it looks like to me it is a huge success. I wish you could have helped in some way since you make your living on these fisheries besides bash the very program that supports your livlelyhood. In retrospect, it's guides like you that got me "burned out" Those that don't contribute to the resource or help thier profession. There's plenty of you folks around that like to toot your horn and tell everyone how good you are. You don't impress me and you never will.
Not trying to impress you at all Marty, just running a business.
I was not bashing the broodstock program at all, I support it and perticipate in it every year.
You prove my point, zero morality in the broodstock program, even though they are handled a lot more than a fish that is being photographed.
David, don't lower yourself and have a virtual argument, that makes everyone look bad. Most people know you have great character and work very hard for the fisheries but trying to rebuke Marty can make you look bad. Take the high road brother, you know what you do, and very good at it so don't let people like that get under your skin!
"kicked the soap box"
Nice fish, Dave. I caught one on Nov.22 last year that had sea lice all over it and it was a 'Chromer'.....One of those famous Christmas Chinooks from the north coast. I can echo FM2' comments, 'Don't lower yourself to Marty's level. You have a great reputation that you have earned in the Pacific Northwest. Most fisherman know you for who you are. A gentleman, good fisherman, conservationist, (with a degree in fisheries)...AND, a excellent guide who cares about the fish that you catch and release.
Blessings, Terry