by The Troutist, October 22, 2013

Usually I am packing up and heading home on Thursday morning and as luck would have it an opportunity to get out with Amato Publications Dave Eng, Cindy Thompson, and Mack’s Lures new Sales Rep Lance Merz to chase some of those up river bright Chinook. The one thing I was really going to enjoy was the fact I didn’t have to worry about scanning the waters looking for great shots or getting action shots of members of our fishing group. I will admit I did get a few photos but for the most part I was out there to concentrate on fishing. My goal was to catch fish and have someone else take photos of me.

Once again we would be launching out of the Heritage Boat Ramp and working the mouth of the Deschutes River. Our rods were Lamiglas G1330T, 8’, 10-20 lb test. Our set up was Izorline 20lb XXX leader, 3/0 hooks with two beads above the hook and above that a .08 orange tiger stripped Smile Blade, for bait we were once again using eggs with 2oz’s of weight. This of course is the standard set-up for hover fishing. We were going to be on a time limit with our outing starting at 7:30am and ending at 11am; Dave and Cindy had to get on the road and headed back to the office.

The morning was perfect the sun shining and the wind nonexistent, the best day I had seen all week. I was feeling confident that this was going to be my day; the only thing I had to worry about was concentrating on the end of my rod waiting for the slightest little twitch and then set the hook. We no sooner got our lines out and I was getting ready to put my sunglasses on when I seen the slightest movement of my rod tip and set the hook. The reel started singing and the fight was on, after a few good runs I guided him into the net. It was a nice bright 16 pounder not to bad for an old guy, and a great warm up fish, yes school was now in session baby! A short time later I had another hook-up and after a brief battle I had lost him. It didn’t bother me I knew I was in the zone and I was sure that I would fill my tag.

We continued to work the water with the clock ticking away and the window of opportunity was starting to close. Suddenly I had a good solid tug and set the hook and held on as this salmon really had the reel singing, it occurred to me that this might be the one I had been looking for all week. I would gain some ground on him and then he would peel off more line this went on for some time I just couldn’t turn him. Dave put the motor in gear and the chase was on I was gaining ground on him and finally brought him to net, yes a beautiful 28 pounder. Because I was so zoned out in total concentration I didn’t realize everyone had their rods reeled in and stored. Yes it was time to call it a day, Dave, Cindy, and Lance had all tagged one and I had the monster of the day. I felt like I had redeemed myself as an angler and it felt good. Moral of the story for me was once given the opportunity to concentrate on fishing I still have it.

After we said our goodbyes and Lance and I were heading back to camp it suddenly hit me that Fish Camp was over. It was a great time and all, but I couldn’t help but feel a little depressed. This is the one time of the year where I get to see most of these folks and it seems like the time just passes by too fast. With about 75% of the folks already gone I moped around taking care of my fish and packing up the rest of my gear so I could be on the road early Friday morning. After an excellent salmon dinner with all of the trimmings, telling lies, laughing, and enjoying the company of each other I was approached by Izorline’s Jim Duntley to stay another day and go out one more time. After texting my better half, that’s right I said texting, I got the go ahead nod to stay one more day. After all, the honey do list hadn’t gotten any bigger, but then again it hasn’t gotten a great deal smaller either and this event only happens once a year.

Jim informed me that he and Steve Ichinokuchi had a special little trip planned with Dub Burnum. As I said before Dub is not a guide but someone that I consider to be a professional angler spending at least four days a week on the water. His success rate is phenomenal especially when it comes to hover fishing. I didn’t really get a whole lot of sleep the night before mainly because I couldn’t believe that I was going to be lucky enough to get out one more time with some good friends. This was going to be one of those short trips starting at 7:30am and ending at 11am as we all had to get on down the road.

After a quick stop for coffee and breakfast to go we were at the Celilo launch at 7:30am. Dub uses basically the same set-up as described earlier except he prefers using Izorline 20 lb test flouro carbon leader. As we made it to the happy fishing grounds right away we noticed that the water was up a quite a bit and there were no nets being used. Not usually a good sign for anglers. We started down below our usual drift and in just a few minutes Jim had a hook-up and you could tell that it was a nice one judging by the noise his reel was making as line just kept stripping off of it. Thirty seconds later I had a tug and set the hook and then the line started stripping off of my reel, a double, what away to start the day.

Both Jim and I were playing give and take with our fish as we moved around the boat trying to gain control of these monsters and bring them to the net. I love these types of fire drills, your adrenalin is surging, and your mind is racing a hundred miles an hour always thinking what your next move around the boat will be to keep your lines from entangling with each other. I turned mine first and Dub skillfully slid the net underneath him and brought him on board. It was a very hefty 25-pounder; I was quite pleased to see this! A few minutes later Jim had his in the net and it was a monster 30 lbs worth of Chinook was flopping around on the deck. This was Jim’s largest salmon to date and he was quite pleased with this accomplishment, I could tell by his grin that went from ear to ear.

Shortly after that Jim put his second one in the boat, a very bright 15 lb’er. Forty-five pounds of salmon on your last day is a great way to end your adventure. Then it was Steve’s turn his line was singing and he was fighting this for a few minutes when all of a sudden it through the hook. A short time later I had a hook set it took some line then spit the hook just as quickly. Before we knew it our time was up and we had to get headed in, take care of our fish, and get back to camp. Now if all of this was not enough Steve and I had a discussion about me becoming a member of Izorline’s Pro-Staff. It is now official I am the newest member of a very exclusive club; I am quite pleased about this latest development in my angling career. What a great way to end an Ed Iman Fish Camp. I will have another surprise that I will announce in November which also puts a big old grin on my face. Steve informed me of this upcoming event just a few days ago.

In my upcoming columns I will be giving reviews of the products that I received at camp. I can tell you already I have a few that will get two-thumbs from me. As always I have posted my photos on my Uncle Wes face book page. Look in my album Fish Camp 2013.

So until next time may your next trout be your trophy mount. The Troutist-“Uncle Wes” Malmberg.




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