I apologize for 2 reports about the same trip, but this trip was just too good to not say something about. Late last week an opportunity came about to fish wish with Russ of Elgin Fishing. My original plan was I was going to launch my Hobie at Rotary Park, ride the incoming up to about the HWY 9 bridge, then catch the outgoing back down. Not knowing the river as well as I would like ( I've mainly fished the Skagit), I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn the river a bit and finally meet a fellow NWFR member. Both turned out to be fantastic decisions. I feel comfortable taking the Hobie out now, got to pick the brain of the person the invented the spoons that I have been finding are successful in many different applications, and we got on fish!

We started fishing about 6:15, and not soon after we found a spot that looked promising, Russ got into 2 fish that both came unbuttoned. Next was my turn to get one on, get it right to the boat, only to have it slip off. Russ then landed 2 nice fish, both coming in just under 5lbs. I proceeded to get 2 more fish on, only to have them shake free just before being able to net them. I am now 0-3. Feels like Kokanee fishing. I made a small adjustment to the drag setting on my reel, which wound up being the ticket for me, landing 2 straight fish, 1 coming in just a touch under 7lbs. We both decided we were going to catch and release for a bit as we wanted to keep fishing and not limit out quickly. Russ landed another fish that we were able to do a quick release on. My next fish was another buck, that was again just under 7lbs. While the fish was in the net, keeping it in the water, it became obvious that the fish had darn near swallowed the lure, and we could see blood coming out of the gills. This fish was not a release candidate, so I decided I would keep it and finish out my limit. I was content to hang tight and wait for Russ to land his last fish for his limit, but the temps by now were climbing into the low 90's, so we decided to call it a day. A very successful on though. 2 limits landed, and 5 other hook ups that we didn't land.

The intent on my part was to get 2 fish in the box on the tried and true pink top Elgin Fishing God's Tooth Spoon. That part went according to plan. Then I wanted to play around with some other patterns and try a completely different set up, but unfortunately the bleeding fish put an end to that.

We used Elgin Fishing God's Tooth spoons set on slow action, about 5 feet of leader and a half ounce sliding dropper weight. Casting with a slow retrieve, twitching periodically on the retrieve. When I say twitching, I mean just short 1 foot twitches of the rod tip. Pink was the hot color, though Russ did land his first fish I believe on a green top spoon.

Fish were very healthy and bright, and on average much larger than 2 years ago. The 2 largest fish were just under 7lbs and about 24 inches.

The Elgin Fishing God's Tooth Spoons performed beyond my expectations. I had plenty of jigs in my box, that I never even gave a thought to breaking out. Every time I am out I am highly impressed with these spoons. They are my go-to for Kokanee, have been a great performer for trout, and are now my go-to for pinks. I can't wait to see how they work for Coho.

Video shows all of our fish from today, a couple for the oh-so-close-to-landing fish that got off, and a monster sculpin that Russ landed :)

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