Giant Chinook

[Daceminnow]

Had this sent to me today, thought I'd share. Believe this fish was caught at the end of August this past season. Very nice specimen indeed.

Dace


New Lodge Record salmon caught at QCL this evening! Lodge guest Chris Lewis, fishing with QCL guide Derek Poitras, landed a giant Chinook salmon today which breaks the 10 year old lodge record. Derek and the guys were fishing along the kelp just east of Klashwun Point when both rods went off in a matter of seconds. While Chris played his fish his fishing partner Stephen Mason played and boated a hefty 31 pounder. Chris’ fish broke the surface a few times and they could tell by the wide shoulder on the fish that this was no ordinary salmon. After a half hour battle, Derek slipped the net under the big silver beauty and they all breathed a sigh of relief before carefully lifting the fish into the boat. Fishmaster Keith Burdett assisted with measurements (51.5” length X 35.0” girth for a score of 84.12 pounds) and took photos before Derek spent 15 minutes reviving the perfect specimen. As they toasted their success with a celebratory drink, amazingly the big Chinook crested 30 feet from the boat and went on its way! Congratulations boys! Well done! And thanks for letting the big one go!



http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd450/daceminnow/11-08-20-130.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd450/daceminnow/11-08-20-128.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd450/daceminnow/11-08-20-129.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd450/daceminnow/11-08-20-131a.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd450/daceminnow/11-08-20-132.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd450/daceminnow/11-08-20-133.jpg

[Pudelpointer]

Awesome story.

[Guitarplayingfish]

That's a monsterrr! Hopefully next year I can hook onto one of those :thinking-006:

[npauls]

That's a tank.

One day I will make it back out to the coast for a fishing trip. Hopefully sooner then later.

[Rockymtnx]

Wow what a HAWG!

[chubbdarter]

Amazing fish

[Triple Threat]

That is a fish of a life time for sure. good pics too.

[Albertafisher]

Breathtaking

[Kokanee9]

Great fish! Thanks for sharing the pictures.

[gl2]

thats a awesome fish!!!! thanks for sharing dace.

[lone wolf]

Absolute monster !! Great to see it swim away as well.

[Flyfishen]

Wow!!! What a Beast!

[slivers86]

what a fish, and a great release at that. Hopefully that one learnt its lesson, because you can bet it would be dinner for anyone else who hooks it :mad0030:

[marlin1]

nice Chinook , what a beast , good job on releasing it

[Jayhad]

I'm very surprised they released it and I applaude QCL for doing so, those genetics need to be passed on

[npauls]

I'm very surprised they released it and I applaude QCL for doing so, those genetics need to be passed on

If I remember right Jayhad,

QCL has a program going on that they encourage the visitors of the lodge to release the 30+lbs fish and they will make them a replica of it for free. I can't remember where I seen this but I think it was on the show "The Lodge" last year or the year before on WFN.

I myself was pretty surprised when I heard that and was glad to hear that one of the major lodges on the coast was trying to do their part to keep the big fish in the system for future spawning.

[Serengeti Charters]

Think they do it for 40+lb fish, and it is VERY good and takes a big fisherman to let one that large go. I just hope they didn't keep it out of water too long as it seems to take the many pictures (i.e, it sitting on deck). There were a few big debates about this fish on the coast though :lol:

[BeeGuy]

Hmm, I wonder if this fish is even fertile.

[mudbug]

Wow :happy0034:

[spopadyn]

I was in West Coast Resorts Englefield lodge at the time they caught this fish. Most of the guides felt that this fish probably just expired after release. When you catch a big (60lb+) salmon and you fight it for an hour - they don't make it even if you release them (there is actually a study that was done by DFO). This is actually the same with the big 600lb + marlins - once you finally get them to the boat they have basically fought to the death - the small ones make it on release the big ones don't. As strange as it seems, he probably should have just kept the fish (however, as the old saying goes, "Nothing ever goes to waste in the ocean). Nevertheless, I must say it is an impressive gesture.