Wow. What were you using for gear? A 1000's series Shimano and 4lb test? (JK)

I've only been spooled once, and came really dang close another time.

The first time when I was about 12. Fishing near the Ballard Locks out in a boat that was tied up to the bridge. Hooked a 20+ kinger on a gold Luhr Jensen spoon. By the time I got the boat untied, I had about 4 wraps left on the reel. That lasted about 2 seconds. Fish and all my line were gone.

The last time I *almost* got spooled was on the Walla Walla. Hooked a big 25+ pound B-run steelie that had come up (probably lost or wandering) the lower WW. I was on a bank with no place to go. The fish stayed on the bottom and on the other side of the river. The fish swam down stream about 120 yards - again, had about 3-4 wraps left on the biatcaster. I couldn't stop it. Most helpless of a feeling. Finally, I just put my thumb down and pointed the rod at the fish. Just when I thought the line would snap, the fish turned and I brought it back up river. I finally won the battle, but didn't have a camera or tape with me. It was a big, and I mean really big native. It was let go with no around to see it except me.