It’s all fishing and all fun: spring chinook on spinners in Tillamook

Apparently I do remember how to fish spinners.

I had the pleasure of fishing Tillamook Bay with the most excellent guide John Krauthoeffer and Bill Monroe and Grant McOmie.  Bill and Grant have ritual salmon fishing ventures with John each year – they witnessed my first Tillamook Bay fly caught springer many years ago when I was fishing with my friend Jimmie.

This day was one when we were told that “we shoulda been here yesterday.”  Oh well, we trolled and trolled herring and spinners and watched for bent rods but half way through the day we had seen or heard of a scant four spring Chinook out of at least 4 dozen or more boats with at least two rods each.

Late into the day, on an incoming tide, I finally was able to make my way into the rear of the boat and play with my spinner, letting it drag far behind the boat, lifting it to the surface and then lowering it back down again, where most people always fish along the bottom.

Luck have it, I got bit and caught this fine spring chinook.  Not on a fly but still a great day with good people and plenty of stories to exchange.

Jay and springer with John Krauthoeffer on the Tillamook Bay.

Back at the Cabin with Springer.

My thanks to Bill, Grant, and John for good companionship, and to these wonderful spring Chinook salmon.

Jay Nicholas, June 2015