It started something like this.
Trolling along, after a long day on the water, my rod started to do the happy dance. I though great, as the line angle started to go to the side. Still waiting for the rod to load, All of a sudden the fish darts off, I have slack line, OMG its headed right past the boat. It surfaces, and flops over. I'm able to work the fish to the boat, see it's a clipped one of about the going range.

So, I grab the net ( I bought this coated, knotless net last fall, perfect size). Well, the coating on the bag was cold, prevented it from opening.
The fish moved away, out of reach, surfaced and spit the hook.

Okay, well, reeled in and snapped a new leader on and troll through there again. Set the rod back in the folbe after getting my gear deployed, again.

It's starting to rain, sleet again. I go to put my rain jacket back on.
Wouldn't you know it? The rod is acting stange as I'm pulling my jacket over my sholders.
I'm thinking, oh no here we go again as the line travels off to the side.

This time the fish turned one good time, but came right towards the boat. He was just swimming along. I put enough pressure on him to raise close to the boat. I saw it was a clipped fish with a big tail, but couldn't see where he was hooked.

The fish took off on a screaming run, did a torpedo semi-circle behind the boat to a near shore three foot flat.
I''m able to work the fish back up towards the boat a couple of times and see it's hooked well. He takes another couple of runs before coming along side the boat.

Well, he's to big for the coated net. Luckily, I have an old beckman aboard as well.
It takes a couple of passes to raise his head, and bring him to the net. I close the bag and rest a bit before attempting to bring him aboard.

Wow! What a battle in the shallow water.
I would have been happy to have landed the first peanut. I was blessed to catch this 41x24 wallhanger.

Ok that's a sweet fish dude!

Nice fish, that will be tasty!

Nice Fish....

Camera died on the water. I edited the post to include a pic of him before processing. Not the best pic.

There were some pictures taked at springer camp on film. I wieghed him in at Bob's in Longview. They should have a picture or two as well.

heffer!

That is one fine springer. What I like is that you put some serious time on the water. You earned it. It'll look nice hanging on the wall.

Hitin' the Big C on Wenesday and Thursday! Can't wait to hook up one of these beauties. Nice fish Slabhunter!

Captain

Good for you, Hans!

Persistence pays off!

Good Post...I'm drooling!

Are you gonna make us guess?


Nice pig! Big slabs... Mmmmm...

nice EATS

Dressed ( gilled and gutted), he still weighed in at 30lb over three hours after landing. He registered just shy of 34, bled out but still in the round at Cathlamet. That's where the measurements were taken by the fish checker. I believe this was only the seventh fish for twenty two boats checked that afternoon.


I was at springer camp. We share and compare information.
The previous afternoon a boat had done well with whole herring. I thought that with the colder water, slower presentation; it made sense to show a whole herring in these conditions. Pehaps that tip led to my success.

A big slab o' springer on the the BBQ and a frosty ale in hand. Mmmmmmm

Awesome fish and congrats!

Sweet!

They do, I was in there this morning and they have pics of 8 or 10 fish, yours put the rest to shame!

I'll be out there tomorrow, hopefully the weekend crowd left a few

That is a pig size springer. Wow

Nice job Slabhunter and thanks for the Cathlamet help. I got skunked out there yesterday. Glad to see you scored with such a fine fish.

nice job