The 105 Pound Chinook Salmon possibly? (Rivers Inlet)

[Bugle M In]

Still have no idea how to post the youtube video directly to this post??
Only the link, but just caught this August, 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-5L-D56dow

[moosinaround]

I caught a 40 pound spring in the Douglas Channel and that was a hoot to fight/catch. It fed an entire wedding banquet! Took line to the backing 3 times, incredible power! I have a couple 30 pounders from the Skeena, which were incredible as well, but they had the river current helping them. Nice salmon, and good on them for releasing that giant. Don't think I would have kept it either! I like the smaller 14-25lbers for the table, and they still fight like hell to!! Awesome vid, thanks for sharing! Moosin

[Imdone]

I've landed many a big Smiley Chinook in my days on the Chuck guided to many more, but this one here is a true Giant. Congrats on the catch and release. Great to see.

[Brew]

That’s an amazing fish. Rivers inlet was home for me for six years of guiding. Many great memories up there. I still get up there for work on occasion and always feel at home there.
It’s nice to see that the inlet is still producing such monster fish. Thanks for sharing

[VLD43]

Congrats Gayle. John and Gayle are avid outdoors people with lots experience. Great people.

[Weatherby Fan]

Yea Haw that was a cranker of a Spring Salmon, especially hooking up in 25 feet of water that fish would have been pretty lively....................the biggest one Ive caught is 40 lbs and it dam near spooled me a cpl times as I picked him up at 250 feet of water off the bottom, I had to get my son Brad to follow it in the boat,

Even better part to the story is they released it, congrats on a amazing fish, Thank you for sharing.

[Bugle M In]

Yes, RELEASED!!

This is very different to hunting, where releasing the big boys/gals is becoming more and more popular.
Certainly up there and Duncanby Lodge is doing their part to encourage any Tai to be released.
That's the first step to getting things back to where they were.
People like John and Gayle are what makes this possible by releasing it.
The Hatchery is also a big part of that success as well.

And yes, a 25pnd or less, and more like 15pnd is all that is needed to have a nice meal and also have enough to share with
friends at the same table.

[Dutch]

Was in rivers inlet in 1975 fish packing with my grandpa we had a 90 delivered to us.We weighed it separately on the BC Packers rip off scale lol .It plugged the pump off hose at Imperial plant in steveston it was so big.Also talked to a regional biologist flying to Prince Rupert back in 2010 who told me there were 2 runs of those big fish.One in Rivers and one in khutzamateen off Rupert.He had pics of 105 spawned out,his thought was they were a throwback and were 8 + year fish .Nice to see it released to continue the cycle.

[Harvest the Land]

Friggin' awesome Tyee! Incredible that they were able to get it into the boat - that's impressive. I always wonder just how common they were 100 years ago. Definitely nice to see, given the grim state of our salmon and steelhead on the South Coast. Thanks for sharing. I'll embed it for you Bugle


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-5L-D56dow

[Bugle M In]

Friggin' awesome Tyee! Incredible that they were able to get it into the boat - that's impressive. I always wonder just how common they were 100 years ago. Definitely nice to see, given the grim state of our salmon and steelhead on the South Coast. Thanks for sharing. I'll embed it for you Bugle


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-5L-D56dow
Thanks for doing that, but can someone please tell me how the heck to do that?

[Bugle M In]

Okay, i will give this a try next time.
If it doesnt work, then i will need some advice.

Embedding YouTube Videos in Discussion Forums


Locate the YouTube video you wish to add to your discussion forum.
Click the 'Share' option below the video.
Select 'Embed' from the available options.
Copy the Embed Code.

[IronNoggin]

That is a hell of a spring!!
Wonder just how old it was...

When we lived in the Arctic, I had a Buddy from the States who had moved up to Alaska at the same time.
He commenced to build the four largest salmon fishing lodges that State had ever seen.
And he was an Addict of the worst degree when it came to fishing!
His personal best (when he was building the King Salmon Lodge) was 107 pounds on an official (post orifice) scale.
Damn thing no longer even looked like a spring, just a big pig.
It was analyzed and determined to be eight years old.
Odd, and interesting.

Thanks for the share. Brought back a few fine memories...

Cheers,
Nig

[IronNoggin]

Okay, i will give this a try next time.


Easier: Simply copy the video address.
Click on the video link above, right next to the embed picture link.
Paste video into the dialogue box that pops up.
Then hit OK.

Presto - done.

Cheers,
Nog

[tigrr]

On the video it says share. Click on that. Some have a box that says copy and some you have to right mouse click and copy. Then go to new quick reply and see that strip of video film, click on that and paste it in the space and hit ok. Done.

[Whipper Billy]

I recognize that fish!
Years ago I was lake / river fishing in Northern Saskatchewan and pulled him into the 16 foot rental putt-putt.
I eat what I catch and he was 23 inches long.
My largest fish ever and my 4th meal.
He was so big he could be 2 meals! I was so excited.
I got the hook out and he was relaxing while I measured him.
Just as I finished he flipped back in the water.
He looked up at me for a second before he swam off - into history!
A face I could never forget and have never forgotten.

It's haunted me until today - so many years later - still looking for my 4th meal.
I realize I initially misidentified him as a King Walleye instead of a King Salmon - an honest mistake.
August 2020 - the trail is cold but there's always a chance he will bite again.

[tubby]

Piss poor catch and release. Held up out of the water by the gills. its funny how people think this fish survived. Imagine this was a steelhead....they would be crucified.

How long can you hold your breath underwater after running for 20minutes?

[Bugle M In]

That is a hell of a spring!!
Wonder just how old it was...

When we lived in the Arctic, I had a Buddy from the States who had moved up to Alaska at the same time.
He commenced to build the four largest salmon fishing lodges that State had ever seen.
And he was an Addict of the worst degree when it came to fishing!
His personal best (when he was building the King Salmon Lodge) was 107 pounds on an official (post orifice) scale.
Damn thing no longer even looked like a spring, just a big pig.
It was analyzed and determined to be eight years old.
Odd, and interesting.

Thanks for the share. Brought back a few fine memories...

Cheers,
Nig
8 years old.
That is interesting as its my understanding they usually come back every 4 years, and thus done.
Begs the question, did he stay out for a total 8 years?
Or did he go up at 4, then come back out for another 4? (I doubt that)

[IronNoggin]

8 years old.
That is interesting as its my understanding they usually come back every 4 years, and thus done.
Begs the question, did he stay out for a total 8 years?
Or did he go up at 4, then come back out for another 4? (I doubt that)

Which of course is why I said Interesting.
Most follow the preset rules, and spawn at 4 years.
Some do at 3 (jacks).
Others at 5.
Even rarer for anything 6 or older, quite scarce in fact.
But these anomalies do occur from time to time, and have the potential to produce real giants for their species.

And you are correct, They do not have the capacity to spawn and survive as far as I have ever heard.
So, it would have been 8 years in the chuck.

Cheers,
Nog

[MichelD]

My dad lived in Port Hardy from 1953 until he died in 2012. He fished locally for the whole time until a stroke struck him down a few years before his death. He fished one spoon mostly in one spot near Duval Point and was known locally as the "spiring slamon guy." Long after I left home I'd call for news and once in a while he'd report catching a big spring out there.

I'd ask if it put up a fight.

"Nah, it was like pulling up a wet blanket," he told me more than once.

[guntech]

Holy crap 105 is a big fish...

I am trying to imagine what it would have looked like beside my puny 48 pounder...
https://i.postimg.cc/9F2dggmy/fish-in-the-boat.jpg

[Bugle M In]

Holy crap 105 is a big fish...

I am trying to imagine what it would have looked like beside my puny 48 pounder...
https://i.postimg.cc/9F2dggmy/fish-in-the-boat.jpg
Nice one!
I cant imagine a 105 either.
Even yours, when you see them in person, are huge.
Until you actually hold one in your hands like yours, it is hard to comprehend.
The thickness is what photos never show, or cant usually.
Most folks are familiar with a 15 to 20 pounder.
You need one of those to get scale of something like yours or bigger.
Congrats on that one!

PS, what kind of boat and how much???:razz:

[buckerup]

Nice one!
I cant imagine a 105 either.
Even yours, when you see them in person, are huge.
Until you actually hold one in your hands like yours, it is hard to comprehend.
The thickness is what photos never show, or cant usually.
Most folks are familiar with a 15 to 20 pounder.
You need one of those to get scale of something like yours or bigger.
Congrats on that one!

PS, what kind of boat and how much???:razz:
I’d say that’s either a early 90’s 165 campion explorer centre console with Bimini top or the 19 foot version. Just a guess but I had the 165 years ago.

[jlirot]

Piss poor catch and release. Held up out of the water by the gills. its funny how people think this fish survived. Imagine this was a steelhead....they would be crucified.

How long can you hold your breath underwater after running for 20minutes?

Exactly what I thought when I saw the fish being dragged across the boat. Congrats on the great catch. But, if you want to release it - please do so boat side.

[Bugle M In]

Just remember everyone, that we weren't there.
I had a salmon that i was considering releasing, but then the hooks were real deep, and there was no way to get them out
easily.
I was also in a boat where it was damn near impossible to reach far enough over the edge to do it anyways.
A 100 pound fish can be a real task to get on board if one is trying to get the hooks out or whatever.

I agree, best is to release a fish in the net, still in the water, if the net is even needed at all.
At the same time, its not often a big fish like that is caught and we are all guilty of wanting a photo opportunity.

Again, we weren't there.
And, if one day we see nets filled with 100 pounders, than maybe the "taking a picture" isn't as important.
I am sure they have released plenty of fish over the years where they could have just taken them legally.

I am much more concerned about those that poach salmon and other rockfish on a constant basis daily without regard to
future stocks or anyone else, even their own kids!

[fuzzybiscuit]

I’d say that’s either a early 90’s 165 campion explorer centre console with Bimini top or the 19 foot version. Just a guess but I had the 165 years ago.

It’s a 21’ Explorer/Fishing Machine with a 150 Yammy on it.

[guntech]

Nice one!
I cant imagine a 105 either.
Even yours, when you see them in person, are huge.
Until you actually hold one in your hands like yours, it is hard to comprehend.
The thickness is what photos never show, or cant usually.
Most folks are familiar with a 15 to 20 pounder.
You need one of those to get scale of something like yours or bigger.
Congrats on that one!

PS, what kind of boat and how much???:razz:

It sold... I customized it considerably... the last few years I was only using it for a week or 10 days in the whole year...

https://i.postimg.cc/LXpjT4NN/BOAT2.jpg