Here's what happens when you try to thumb a smokin' Kasilof king

A lesson learned that I keep the drags set tight for a reason and keep your fingers out of harm's way!

About five minutes after the battle, that's gotta smart. A good portion of his fingerprint is temporarily missing:



About three hours later, ouch ... it's starting to look a little on the large side



Late that evening ... yep, Ron's going to remember this fish for a few more days!!!



With proper care, he should have a fresh layer just in time for next year!!!

LOL, that crack me up. Remember that movie where the kid hooks a 2000lb marlin and his dad has to pour water on the reel to keep it from smokin? I think that works for thumbs too. LOL

I saw that movie! Thats on Jaws to!

Hey by the way BOB, you didnt tell us the IMPORTANT part! did he land the fish??

Ahhhh...that's a nice, friendly reminder, isn't it? I took a four day to Clear Creek on the Talkeetna once for Kings. My reel's drag basically died on like my second fish. It basically was all thumb pressure after that. Didn't land too many fish, obviously...

OMG looks like my Westport Fish.

Of course we landed the fish

Here's the proof ... notice the thumb on the left hand is extended out in full cooling position

C'mon! It's just a blister!!! My old football coach always told me to tape it up, suck it up, and get back out there.

Of course you know that the chances of hitting that thumb again is directly porpotional to the amount of pain it is in at that particular time.

I learned that lesson in your back yard here in the lower 48.First springer at the pumping station when I was a kid.Had a toy bait caster that broke with in the first minute of fight.It was made for bas not KINGS.I got the fish in the with the help of a friendly drift boat,netted it for me.I didn't notice the thumbs untill after I settled down. I ate that fish at a kegger,that night, with a bunch of hood canal shrimp,my thumbs were the big laugh at the party.