I have never heard that story but I personally have had a seal steal a pink salmon off of a stringer that I had tied to my waist while standing in the salt fishing. It just about knocked me off balance enough to make me take a swim. After that I began to watch them when they would get close to me and would hoist my fish up to shoulder level and watch the seals cruise by at my feet looking for another free meal. I saw this happen to several other people at the hoodsport hatchery last year. One kid lost two pinks on two seperate occasions to a seal in one day. He had the stringer tied around his neck the second time thinking if he kept the fish up near his chest it would be safe but the seal grabbed it and jerked his head down with such force that it pulled his head down into the water. I have noticed that the seals are getting more brazen toward the fishermen in the last few years down there but last year took the cake. I sure hope the killer whales come back this year to eat those devils' sea spawn.