lid wrote...

"rw" wrote in message
m...

I watched Warren play that fish. It was upstream and Warren wasn't
putting undue pressure on it.

I can assure you, Bob, that Warren knows how to play a fish, so relax.
Steve,
I didn't say he was putting undue pressure on the fish, but the angle he is using in the pictures is
putting undue pressure on the ROD. Compare the angle he is using in pictures 0016 and 0017 with the
pictures of you (0030 & 0033) fighting a Humpie. At least as much pressure can be put on the fish
with the angle you used as with the angle that Warren used. However, the stress on the rod is much
greater with the acute angle that he used.

Chas,
While an acute rod angle may be necessary to land a fish by yourself in tight quarters, based on the
room around you guys as shown in the pictures, there was no need at that location. I can appreciate
what you say about clouser nicks, having broken two rods as a result of them while fishing for Cohos
on Kodiak.

BTW I leave for Kodiak day after tomorrow for a week of chasing big Cohos.


Just for a bit of clarification, there were nicks in the rod
that I found after the rod broke from what looked like damage
caused by being nicked by big flies. There were white marks
running horizontal to the break on the low end and also a few
nicks on the tip near where the break was. In all honesty I
feel that the rod broke because it was damaged, not because I
was putting too much pressure on a fish that was running
upstream of me. I was pretty much letting the fish spool line
off so that I could wear it out fighting the current instead
of fighting me. I was in the middle of the river without a
net and was basically trying to tire the fish out enough so
that I could land, unhook and release the fish without having
to horse it in and then handle an unruly fish.

In the pictures you mentioned, if you look closely, you will
see that I am in the process of landing the fish. #16 has me
laying the rod off to the side and towards the camera in an
effort to turn the fish's head out of the current so that the
current works for me instead of against me. #17 shows me
bringing the rod in so that I could grab the leader (12'
leader, 9' rod, you do the math).

Two questions Bob:

1) Why are you checking out my rod? bseg
2) Do you think the camera angle has you a bit confused?

If you look closely, you will see that I am angling the rod
out to the side as I land the fish. This can be deceptive
since the rod is coming off to the side and also back at the
camera. Trust me, I know how to land fish and while I
appreciate your input, I think you are waaaaaaaayyyyyyyy off
on this one. I will gladly demonstrate the phenomenon in
person if you put me over some big fish. g

Sorry, but a third question:

3) I understand what you are saying about the rod angle and
can "dig" it. You claim to land 20# fish using a 6 wt just as
fast as people using 8 and 9 wt rods. What tricks do you use?
I am sure I will be getting back into that kind of fishing and
any tips would be appreciated. It *is* a totally different
kind of fishing than I am used to and I would appreciate any
tips you can offer. (Joke mode on) The angle of the dangle is
inversely proportional to the heat of the meat. How would you
change my meat? ;-)

All joking aside, I would like to hear what your
recommendations are for landing big fish on a lighter weight
rod are. Chasing those pinks has me wanting something else
and I don't think the fishing around here will suffice. I am
seriously contemplating another trip out to Chas's for some
more fishing. Chas's son Andy gave me an earful that has me
totally wanting to come out again for "the big fish" and I
could use all the advice you can give. You can email me with
your secret patterns if you like, I know I would! g
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt (at) yahoo to reply via email)