When I hit the pillow last night I thought really hard to compare the fresh “Spring Chinook Salmon” I’d just eaten with other favorite eating fish from walleye to snapper.  I couldn’t chose one over another.  But what I did conclude was Mike’s suggestion to go try to catch another “Spring Chinook” for dinner tonight, was a good plan.  Once again, we left Mike’s Portland, Oregon house for the Willamette River early this morning.

The day was different than yesterday.  It wasn’t as damp but it was much colder and there was hardly a cloud in the sky.  It was an absolute stunner of a drive to the river and then down the river to the spot as well.

When we arrived there were more boats then yesterday.  Though cold to start, the forecast was for a beautiful warm day.  No doubt the word was out.  Mike rigged up the herrings and we tossed them over and began a slow troll.

For some reason I lost interest in the trolling early.  Perhaps it was because neither us or any of the other 25 boats hooked a fish in the first hour.  Maybe because there was some fantastic birdlife distracting me.  But instead of working my troll like yesterday, I rigged up my Winston and went to work.

I chucked and ducked for an hour.  Then it was two hours.  I took a break before exercising a third hour.  Then I kicked back and looked around.  Not any of the boats had hooked a fish all day.  It was quite possible I was wasting my time.  Then Mike hooked up.  Turns out it wasn’t a salmon but rather this sizeable Umpqua pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus umpquae).

I’m not sure anyone caught a spring Chinook today.  But it was a great day to be alive.  The scenery and weather were unreal and Mike and I had a good time too catching up.  We’re good friends and it’s been way too long.

We got back to Mike’s around 6 PM.  Mike has a friend, Dan, who owns Stormbreaker Brewing.  Dan generously gave me an assortment of cans to drink this week.  I knocked back a couple tonight and Mike grabbed Thai food to go.  Life is good!  Tomorrow we’re changing venues and heading up the Columbia River for walleye.

Stay tuned!

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing