Salmon Slam IV...

by Jigster (just add water)

As the leaves begin to turn here in Mid-Michigan I start the yearly ritual of preparing for Salmon Slam. It began four years ago with a fishing buddy and myself looking to add one more sporting fishing event our already “not so full calendar”. We decided on salmon fishing. The first year was spent in the U.P. shore fishing in Lake Superior. We planned the trip according to weather conditions the previous year and from word of mouth from folks like you. We ended up being there the 3rd weekend in September. After setting up the trailer we scouted out the local tributaries for any action. There was NONE. We just happened to be there during a wonderful “Indian summer” with temps in the high 70’s. Great for camping, bad for fishing. The last 2 years were spent at the Betsy River/Dam in Frankfort. We saw a lot of fish but our success rate was low do to not knowing what the heck we were doing. This year we swore in the name of Fred Trost things would be different.

We brought along a good luck charm in the form of Mikes 7 year old son Kyle. If he wasn’t lucky at least he could keep the other fishermen away with his on river antics. We arrived Friday morning Oct, 6 at 11am. After a 3+ hour trip reminiscing about past fishing trips and looking forward to a making some new memories. The weather was perfect. Sunny and high 60’s all weekend. With the cold rain last week it looked like we were going to hit the last good week of the run. We hit the river Friday afternoon at 4pm. The place was hoppin, Fish were jumping the dam and folks were lined up on both sides from the 100ft sign on down. We strolled into the river and began our venture wading down to any open hole we could find. The river bank and paths were way too muddy to navigate whilst towing a 7 year old wearing waders made for a 12 year old. I left Mike and Kyle about 200 yards from the dam. Not because I was unsociable there just wasn’t enough room for 2 adults and a treble hook flinging kid. I waded on down and settled in a nice place on the 3rd turn of the river.

The action was hot all around. Fish were being taken everywhere. I couldn’t wait to drop my spawn drift and tag a big king. Within 3 minutes I had one on. He took off down stream and there was no stopping it. My 15lb line snapped after the 3 time I tried to turn him. This happened 2 more times before dark. I was happy just to be out there. Mike and Kyle did about the same with Kyle catching more wood than fish. The rest of the weekend went about the same with one “snag”. MOST of the other fisherman, (and I use this term loosely) were using the Grip and Rip method. This being done in broad daylight . In fact one loser even asked if I could net his tail hooked 15lb king. I helped him out, got a ripped net and watched him put it on the stringer. This was the norm.

Even though I wanted to get my limit as much as the next guy, there is a thing called integrity! Not to mention a hefty fine. Plus we need to set an example for the upcoming fishermen like Kyle who by the way had learned to drift a bag as good as the next guy by the time we left. So with one in the smoker along with some dandy ribs and brisquet, a fine time was had by all. Already planning next years event. Maybe I’ll try fly fishing for em?