Oregon River - King Salmon and Nice Folks!

I fled the weather Up North. Brrr...I knew It could only get worse....I packed and hit the road when the thermometer never got above zero.

I had heard from an old Baja amigo that fresh sea-run salmon could still be had on a certain Oregon river, and there was also a great river-view campground for my RV. Well, that sounded wonderful, and I knew we had to go check it out.

(Besides, my doctors had told me that I needed rest and relaxation ... before sending their bill to my insurance company so they could change my rate.)

I pulled my 32ft fifth wheel over hill and dale (about 2000 miles of hill) to find the place..but find it, I did. It was dark-thirty that final day when I checked in and was shown the camper site. The manager was helpful in helping us get everything all set up, and we collapsed into a warm bed...pretty much exhausted from a long trip thru some wild weather.

(I took some photos of our camp site the following day...)





As you can see, the site has a 5-star view of the river fishing.







We were awakened just after dawn by some happy.. "Yee-Haws!" coming from the river just below our rear picture window. I rolled out, grabbed my camera, and looked out at our beautiful view in daylight for the first time. (Good thing we have tinted one-way windows...me standing naked holding a camera would scare most fishermen right out of the boat.)

This is what I saw...which sight proved to me that we had come to the right place! My first look was to see a big king stripping line in a mad dash for freedcom. I was still half-asleep and couldn't snap the shutter fast enough to stop the big king in mid-air, but you can see the 3-4 swirls where the monster was greyhounding across the river...a wild sight!







My appreciation of the sight increased when I noticed the fisherman was using a light fly rod. Salute, hombre! Add to this the skill of the guide rowing and holding steady the drift boat...it all made for a great show!





I was as thrilled as these two when the king salmon was finally brought to the net. The battle had lasted about 45 minutes (which gave me time to get dressed!) The king weighed 31 pounds...quite a feat for this flyfisherman.







After the netting, weighing, and photos were done, the two rowed over directly below us for introductions. I told them I had about 30 great photos of the action and would email the pics to their email addresses. The guide gave me one of his cards with all the info. I sent them off within the hour.







A short time later, we had a knock on the camper door. It was the guide, who gave us his sincere thanks for sending the photos...he had just then received them all on his cell phone. He wanted to present us with a return gift...a very nice Chrismas wreath, one which his mother made every year for friends. A very nice gesture, indeed.



Co-polite told me...."There are no blizzards with musk-ox here. This is a nice place with nice people. Let's stay for awhile?"



I was too busy getting my tackle box ready to answer her....




[Edited on 12-5-2014 by Pompano]

I am already on the road...fugedaboud it...

Quote: Originally posted by sd

As always Pompano another fun report you shared. Your RV spot looks just perfect. The fisherman will certainly enjoy sharing the photos you took of that live action. A few months ago I was able to do the same for a kayak fisherman paddling into the harbor in Newport Beach. He had hooked and landed a 132 lb Thresher Shark, so we had him pose for pictures and sent him the photos. Hope you are able to catch some of that fresh salmon! Have Fun!! Scot

Thanks Scot, and good to see your post. It was just as fun for me to take photos for that fisherman and guide as it was for them to hook and take the king. I think the whole event made our respective days. I would like to post the guide's name but need permission first. I'll call and ask.

This afternoon, I fileted my first two kings of this season. Looking forward to grilled steaks and also smoking some to go with a cold Pacifico.

That nice thresher was a prize for a kayak fisherman out of Newport Beach for sure. I'd like to have seen that fight!

See you down the trail, amigo.

Opps...forgot to add a pic of fileting salmon. I've got quite a few photos and will maybe post a report on how to filet a king as taught by the guides. Looking forward to some BIG kings. Limit is two per day...fishing daylight hours only, thank goodness, cuz I'm pooped already.




[Edited on 12-6-2014 by Pompano]

Love the river and the boat. Rodger, You know how to do it.
Thanks for taking us along
Oh and the fish........ Beautiful

[Edited on 12-6-2014 by BajaRat]

Kind of like the no tell surfing spots in Baja...It's a big secret...lol
This looks like a good place to catch some Salmon and camp too.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/rogue-siskiyou/null/recarea/?...
The locals need all the help to bring back the tourists they can get...

[Edited on 12-6-2014 by UnoMas]

Pompano , hard to beat fresh sea run salmon eh?

Is the fish n chips place down the road named after one of your relatives?

Nice pictures BTW, always wanted some bottom land in there to raise some wagyu.

Looks like nice rains off and on in the area for the next week , just what you want to keep a little color to the water

Thank you