Last week I was out for three days.

Day one we started hitting fish, but nothing of too much size. But we hung in there keeping busy with the small fish, waiting for that window of opportunity when the big guys light up. Sure enough at about 2:00pm we hook into a real nice fish, but after a short fight he comes off the line. We hope that wasn't our opportunity of the day, and sure enough a couple of hours later the planer board line pulls way back, snaps free, and the reel lights up. After a great battle, we finally boat a 14lb Gerrard Rainbow. A great way to end the day. In total we landed 20 fish.

Day two I head out with a boatload of guys and set up the lines. Like the day before, we're busy with small fish till about 10:00am when they decide to take a little break. Then it's back at it a little while later. Again we're waiting for that window of opportunity. Sure enough in the early afternoon, we hook into a small trout, then another, then another, then the line pulls way back again and releases. We've got another nice trout on. We quickly land the three small trout, to make way for the bigger fish. Turns out to be an 11lb Gerrard. Soon after we boat a 7lb trout as well. Turns out by the end of the day we land 25 fish including the ugliest Bull Trout I've ever seen. He had obviously come off the spawn a month or so ago, and had not yet recovered. He had the head of a 15lber, but the body of an 8 lber. All his fins were worn and torn up, and he still
had an orange belly. We let him go back to recover and hopefully spawn another day. Wish I had taken a picture of him for you.

Day three I head out with three guys. The fish are moody today. We pick away at a few small fish but were still waiting. I put a plug out straight behind the boat, attach it to the downrigger, and put it down 15 ft. Were in the cabin staying nice and warm, talking away when I hear a sound that seems familiar. Finally my brain clicks into gear that it's a reel peeling off line. Three of us dive for the line at the same time. After a five minute battle however it comes unglued. Major bummer!!! We end the day with a couple more fat Bull Trout for the BBQ.

I total we landed 51 fish in 3 days.

I'm back out the end of this week.

Tight Lines ... Brad Stubbs
www.kootenaykingfisher.com