How did your avatar end up in STS? How cool. By the way, that's a beast of a king.

Yah, I saw it too last night while flippin' thru the pages.

In July 2002, I caught and released what was then my biggest Kenai king in three decades, a huge hen measuring 50.5 inches snout to mid-fork. The guy who netted it for me had a rather undersized net, and after three tries, I was convinced the fish would come unbuttoned before it came to hand. On the fourth try he finally managed to get that she-pig head first into the bag. The only problem was there was nearly a foot of tail still sticking out of the net. WHEW! were we lucky to get that fish in!



I vowed never to let that happen again, so this past July, I bought a magnum sized Beckman 'Columbian' net with an extra deep bag. Boy am I glad I did!

On July 29, I caught and released a huge buck (the avatar fish) that measured 53" x 31 3/4 " from the very same spot that I pulled that giant hen out of the year before. This time around, the net just swallowed that mega-king like a trout sipping pellets at a hatchery pond.

I wrote Beckman a letter of thanks to let them know they have a great product, and sent in a picture to prove just how good it worked for me! My all time biggest king in thirty seasons of fishing! They replied with a request to use the photo in one of their upcoming catalogs, and I said OK.

I was a bit surprised when I got my copy of STS in the office a couple weeks ago. It was their idea to run the photo in the ad. I agree with FCTS, pretty cool!

Can't say enough about how valuable a big deep bag can be in landing really big kings. The other advantage is the big loose bag doesn't smother the fish and tear up its fins like an undersized bag will. A big plus when it comes to releasing these very special fish!

I'm a big believer in the large net. I have the largest Frabill with the coated netting and no knots..it has the biggest bag I have ever seen and also has small lead weights to help it sink when it hits the water...it has a 6' handle though and most of the crew complains about that. When my 48# king came to the boat at Westport this summer it sure came in handy.

almost sounds like a gill net there grandpa...

My dad got kinda mad at loosing big fish because the net handle was always a foot to short.... some threaded aluminum pipe, a threaded coupling and WHA-LA - 12' long handled net that can be broken down to 6'...

When a fish hits and breaks the surface behind the boat, he's damn near in the net

I have never used a net on a river only in the salt with fish I intend to keep. If you plan to release a fish why would you use a net? Secondly I was raised never to allow anyone to net my fish nor will I net anothers fish. It's all a part of the game to do it yourself. Means you may lose a few fish until you learn the ropes. I have also noted on fishing shows in rivers the guy doing the netting will go way down line of the fisherman to net the fish. I do not get it seems to be almost a tag team approach on the fish. I ruled out stressing the fish less beacuse they sit there and pet it for the camera forever.

Hey Queen... I mean THE KING... How many kings have you had on that were that big?

And then we have these

But they are pretty "deep"



Not much rubber added until the fish trucks bag up to the dock

King,

53"s and you want him to net it himself?? That is a 65lb plus fish up there. It's all you can do to somewhat control it, but a fish of a lifetime.....I don't take the chance. Big, fast, crowded river that can be dangerous if you don't watch what you are doing. It's a team thing up there.

73 lbs 1989 Tofino BC. Netted it myself and the net was too small.
I have fished many spots in Alaska and BC river and salt and never let anyone net my fish. I have lost some sure but as I said it's part of the game between you and the fish. If the fish gets away he won fair and square. If a huy nets the fish 15 yards down stream how could I say I caught and landed the fish. Kind of like having another dude in the sack whne your wife got pregnant, who is the dad? :-)

King-

I let my partner net my fish and I net his.... It is sort of sharing the experience if you will. I dont know if you intended it but your post sounded rather demeaning. I suspect that was not your intent, but from the last few posts, it was taken that way. I know quite a few people who lurk here but wont post pictures, reports, or questions because they have seen people get ripped for the stupidest things..... Once saw a kid post a picture of his first steelie, only to get ripped up one side and down the other because he wasnt holding it right... Not really a good way to encourage participation in Bob's site.

Elkrun,

Thanks for your comments.

No I did not mean it to be negative. Sometimes people just do things different so they see anything that they do not do as a slam. People like to feel alike. I was raised that fighting and landing fish was a solo adventure. My grandpa was a flyfisherman here before most of these peoples families lived here. You could see him in a suit , tie and hat fishing the Sky with a bamboo rod he was a real gentleman. You do not find many people like that on our local rivers anymore. Just like you do not find people that would walk up to someone and talk to you in person like most will on a website.

It's the guy with the fish on who has the option. You want to net your own? Be my guest.........

On a king that size, I'll gladly accept some assistance.

Watch it theking, or I'll tell your old lady you're comparing her to a fish.

Despite all this chatter, it's still a great avatar!

It really is a nice Avatar!

The king, you described my grandfather. Was fishing here at turn of the 1900's with cane rods (baitcasting and fly). I still have a steel and bamboo fly rod of his, and his old split bamboo baitcaster. BUT, back then they would drag the fish on the bank/gaff and dispatch ASAP. But, back then you didn't have alot of people fishing. I heard stories of my granddad fishing all by himself on the Puyallup (this was about 1912 or so on his visits to my Uncle at Camp Murray). So, you HAD to land by yourself.

Myself, I want that fish caught and release with as little harm as possible. Especially in a boat. Safer on the fish if you have a netter to quickly scoop fish up. Tailing a king like that isn't an option (unless you have monster hands like me, and STILL is a problem). I grew up with strict fishing ethics as well. But, more stress at banging fish on head by accident selfnetting. Or damaging rod doing this (have seen that a few times out in the sound). Also, back in the "day", they would also gaff the salmon. My Dad still has my Grandpa's and Great Uncles salmon gaffs (since very rarely were ANY fish released back in those days, even by flyfisherman).

I feel, go with whatever you feel. Neither is wrong or right. Would be like saying, who's the better fisherman, a fly angler or a gear angler? It's all on your perception. Playing a fish out over and over again trying to net it isn't as sporting as a quick scoop/release by another person. That's MY perception. So, we all have difference of opinions. But, was an excellent catch. No complaints by me. My biggest weighed was 58#'s. But had one that I know was bigger, but didn't tape it. Was king release, so simply put back into the water.

Yes it is a nice Avatar BTW.

Cool,

Not many of us real natives left:-)

It must have been something to fish the rivers and sound back then. I have pics of my grandpa going over Stevens pass back when you had to back the car over on the steep sections because they did not have fuel pumps. He really loved fishing Nason creek and The Icicle. I used to go over with him and camp on the Icicle for a month every summer. I think my unlce and I had a lot to do with hurting the fish populations in Nason,Icicle creeks and the Chiwawa river. We would catch 100's of 18"+ bows a day and lots of bigger dollies. Every fish went in the cooler in those days. I also have picks of him in the sound off Muckilteo and the rowboat bottom is filled with Salmon. Him in his suit and suspenders.