Over my many years of fishing/guiding and operating a lodge I have collected many stories which are requested year after year and which I am happy to share with you as a new feature on the site.
Every once in a while, no matter what undertaking we take in life we say what am I doing this for? I have asked myself that from time to time as well and always some event will happen that brings it all to the forefront.
One of those times happened early in my venture in Esperanza Inlet and began with an inquiry from Bellingham,WA. A grandfather wanted to bring his son and grandson on what might possibly be a final special fishing trip together.
He wanted to fish all three in a 15ft Whaler and insisted that they all fish alone with their own boat. I reluctantly agreed after explaining they would be very limited in the waters they would be able to fish, due to the size of their craft. All he wanted from me was to head them to an area, with the ideal condition that would provide the opportunity of catching a Chinook salmon.
Well the fateful day arrived in late July, with all three excited about the possibilities and armed with every conceivable device ever made which "has caught" or "is supposed to" catch the elusive Chinook!! The weather was ideal and the forecast to remain the same. I showed them on a chart where I thought there was a strong possibility of catching their quarry. It was an extremely protected little hole surrounded with lots of kelp beds. Off they went at first light the following morning. A little anxious for them, in their little boat, I contacted other boats to be certain they were safe and had found the spot. All was good and I recall thinking to myself they would probably return back late afternoon.
Was I wrong!! About noon that day they arrived back at the lodge with such expressions, one could only assume something had gone horribly wrong or incredibly right!! All three of them launched into me with thanks for putting them onto a very good good fishing spot. How good fishing I had no idea!!
The story goes like this....they arrived at the designated area only to discover they had forgotten a fishing rod and some gear but made do with another pole and cut-plugged herring. They set out the bait and almost immediately hooked into an enormous chinook.."the biggest salmon I've ever laid my eyes upon", exclaimed Grandpa. They apparently fought the beast for well over an hour, had it several times to the boat, but it would not fit into their net and after many attempts to land this great fish, it eventually succeeded one last lunge to freedom.
Broken-hearted they decided to put down another herring on that one chance there may be another waiting to take their bait. Sure enough, they hook another but this time are better prepared and more experienced at the net.
The description went like this;"After getting a good look at the monster, we saw it to be as big as the one that got away and HERE IT IS!!" It took all three to hoist the 52lb beauty from under the burlap sack they had it encased in
Grandpa's face was lit up and he was grinning from ear to ear as he said "If we don't catch another fish this trip or indeed, ever again, this is something none of us will ever forget."
Over time, I have lost contact with the trio but wherever they are, I am certain the memory of this day has stuck with them as it has done with me.
