What a weird day. I’ve been getting my butt kicked in the sound all summer. Launched out of Point Defiance at 6 AM and made a left toward the clay banks. As soon as I cleared the ferry dock, I put out a orange/silver/green flasher and chartreuse/white spoon down at 45 feet on the downrigger, just to be “fishing” as I got the other rod down.

Before I could do that, fish on! After going around the boat a couple times (using lighter gear) and waiting for my partner to figure out how to extend the net, we had the fish next the boat...a nice king...with a fin. I estimated the fish to be in the 8 to 10lb range. Popped the hook out and turned it loose. Did that 2 more times, all wild fish.

We decided to troll down to the slag pile. I get another fish on and get it to the boat, no fin! Partner stabs at it with the net and somehow knocks it off the line. Oh well, he’s inexperienced.

By 10:30, we hadn’t had a bite in an hour, so we motored up past Dash Point to see if we could get into some pinks. Lots of jumpers, so we decided to throw buzz bombs. Next thing you know it, fish on and it’s taking lots of line (7’6” twitching rod, 10lb test). It comes to the surface, it’s a king! It kept making run after run and as I get it to the boat, I see it’s clipped! He half-tailwalks and slings my buzz bomb right back at me...sigh.

Great day of catching! No keeping. Would have gave it a 5 if I had meat to take home.

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