Father/son trips are special, and today proved an exclamation point for that truism. Lance had recently graduated from law school and had received a clerkship position with a prominant federal judge. Dad Don, justifiably proud of his son’s accomplishment, decided to take him fly fishing as a special expression of his love and respect for Lance’s achievement. So, today found Lance and Don in my boat ready to learn about fly fishing and excited to do battle with Chinook salmon.
And battle they did! No guide smoke here: the problem they ran into was that the fish were too big and too powerful to handle. As we have noted in previous posts, this fall, the mature kings are running three to four pounds heavier than the fish of last year, and the weight spread for some is significantly greater than that. Ten weight rods bent to the breaking point, drags cinched tighter than I’ve ever needed to crank them, and still we lost fish after fish. Lance, though, fought on and brought two to the net—both on #10 Green Caddis in the lips and both after protracted boat chasing and sore arms. In short, this was a day I’ll remember for a long time; for the fishing to be sure, but more important, to be a part of a father/son memory likely to resonate for some time to come. Pictured are Lance with his 22 lb. buck beast, Lance and I with his 19 lb., number two fish, and Lance and Don digging it all to the max.
Thanks, Lance and Don, for a superb time and your gracious consideration. Best wishes to you, Lance, as you embark on your career with the Chicago firm that so wisely has secured your future services. I hope we have infected you with the fly fishing fever that keeps us coming back to the river time after time. Who knows? Maybe, we can get you back in the boat some day in the future.
Captain Tom Kuieck
