

I was floored,



We're on the road shortly after 5, and arrive at the marina, ....basically at daybreak....

The launch goes smoothly, .....I think I've got my savvy back, ....somewhat....

Heading out of the harbour

We do some scouting, ....till I find what I'm looking for....

I head to my headquarters at the back of the boat, ....and start setting up, ....we're running two riggers, ....and two flatlines, ....no boards, .....just wanna keep it simple

Not 5 minutes after the lines hit the water. ....the flatline starts to sing, ......I grab the rod, .....make sure she's on, ....and call Mike over......

He's a little unsure,


Finally it sorta slows down, ......I tell him, ...okay, .....lower the tip and reel at the same time, ......then pull the tip back up, .....he's doing great, ......gains some line on him, ....he starts peeeling again, ....he gives me that, ..."what the hell" look, .....I just smile and tell him to keep the rod up and let him go, .......

He stops again, .....Mike starts the same process, .....still doing a great job, ....suddenly I notice the rod tip start to straighten up, .............REEEEEEEEL!!!!!!!, ........................DAMN!!!!!!!!

I'm really starting to worry about getting a King into the boat this year....

I set back up, ........it wasn't another 5 min. later, ....same lure, ...same thing, .......

I grab it this time, ......this "puppy" is mine, ......and she's coming home.....

Mike should be a camera man, .....he wasn't sure what to do, ....so he took pictures....



After about 15 minutes or so, .....and I got 'er under 100 ft, ....I started coaching him on netting techniques, .....and how far it was to shore if he screwed up.....

He's a little rough around the edges, ....but he got 'er done....... salmon, ....rigger cable, ...and another line to boot, ....I could've kissed him


Anyways, .....the king jinx is busted....





34" and 22+ lbs......
It took me about 15 minutes to untangle the mess and put things back in reasonable order....

I was on a high, ....and not thinking too straight, ....so instead of turning around, ...we wasted about an hour or so continuing on the same course.....

Eventually the gears started turning again, ....and I noticed the difference in the water temp.

We did a slow u turn and headed back, ....wasting another hour, .......well, ....not wasted really, .....the time was filled with some real, ....dad/kid kinda soul cleansing....

Gears started turning a little faster, ....I had two of these lures,


It was soon swimming happily along behind one of the riggers ......

After finally getting back to where the fish were, ....the rigger pops, ......I grab her again, ......

Mike's ready this time, ....he done everything perfect, ......




I was one proud pop when I slipped the net under this puppy



We did another run or two, .....and never picked anything up, ...or so we thought, ....till we were heading in.....Don't know how long we were draggin' this one around.....


We got back in and loaded the boat, .....while we were tying everything down, ....Ron from the MNR pulled into the parking lot and wandered over to see what was happening, .....
Man, ....it was neat, ....apparently he recognized me from my postings, ....he thought it was the Quinte board, ....but I said I never posted there, ...and it must have been Fish hawk, ....

Anyways we chewed the fat for at least an hour while we were getting ready to leave......

He even posed for a pic with us....

Ya know, .....I wasn't really expecting much out of today, .....'cept a chance to get out on the water,

But, ......my new fish finder is cool now, .....I'm getting hooks, .....I'm getting balls, ......I'm getting out of line here....

Also, .....besides the fish, .....I think Mike and I have found a new respect for each other, .....I was proud of him today, ....and it's been a long while since we have done much more than tolerate each other,.....


Don'tcha just have to love a sport that can do that for ya.....
