Mortigan

I just got back (Maastricht, Amsterdam, etc...) a few days ago. What brought them to our neck of the woods?

Wait - I've seen that before. Oh no...

Bingo

Sorry - I'd have offered to begin with but my fishing buddy (the boat owner) is in Canada, hunting bear. I'm in need of a lift myself for the next few weeks. From what you've written, you're making the same basic choices I would have made. I think our crucial need for next season is down speed and temp - we just can't dial in a presentation if I don't know both. The currents have been severe this year and I don't have enough time on the water to estimate speed by rigger cable angle or dipsy rod bend. Just guessing - experiment with your speed, direction and depths. I've seen regular reports of guys running anywhere between 2.0 and 4.0 mph gps speed to get a lure speed of about 2.5 - all depends on the current at that moment. That king hit after you reversed heading, which presumably changed your speed, also affecting your depth. Too many variables already - I'd have left the presentation alone without another hit or two. Did you turn and retrace your path (both directions) after you went back to no action?

Congratulations on your first king. The best advice we got was to hitch a ride (charter or otherwise) with someone more knowledgeable. I'd done all the recommended reading (Charlie owns the boat & I do the research), then we did a spring charter and it started making sense. We put some time in on the water, caught a few fish and then did a summer charter - almost completely different type of fishing. More time on the water (a few more fish), lots of questions and a couple trips with experienced friends and it makes more sense. Honestly, we're still not very good but we've improved, caught some decent fish and I'm expecting more consistancy next season. See about riding with someone else - I've been offered more opportunities than I've been able to accept. Hope to change that next year

I've read there's still good steelhead action that doesn't get much attention after the salmon run.

Ditto.

Kurt's gonna run out of wall space, between the deer mounts and monster fish

WOW!

Carpe - managed bits of Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands over two weeks. The scenery, food and drink were amazing. My own bed and central air - PRICELESS! Tcon - we hopped a train in Maastricht at 8:30am (2:30am EST) and walked in my door at 11:30pm, 21 hours later. That REALLY sucked.

I love that spot - bow on gravel and casting just past the bridge pillar. All kinds of large fish wander through there...

Now that's a purty boat.

My first charter was in spring; we caught 40+ fish, all six species of trout and salmon and a random smallmouth. Our second was for summer kings; the take was more normal. Both had been arranged as teaching charters so we could figure out one end of our boat from the other. Each was entertaining and informative - and were equally valuable. Thanks, Legacy.

+1

I'm stuck at an airport - 16 hours into my return trip home. I've used the word many times today!

200 feet of water is much closer to shore out of Sandy Creek than Rochester - about 2.5 miles vs. 6 miles.

You can tell when you grab the rod. Huge difference in power

how's this weekend looking? I'm back Wednesday but it's going to take a few days to shake the jetlag. LOC starts too, doesn't it?

Great job on the boat, Matt. I saw a post using lip grips tied off to a length of line, dragging the fish until revived...

Nice

Monschau, Germany for a late breakfast - Weinerschnitzel, fries and a Erdinger Weissbrau. Now you've got me jonesing for ribs at Bad to the Bone and some salmon fishing!