BACK FROM LAKE ONTARIO

[Van]

Some of ya may know, I took a long weekend and went on a charter with 3 of my fishin' buddies to Lake Ontario from Oswego NY. We fished 8 hours Saturday and 8 hours on Sunday.
Saturday started good with my buddies getting some steelhead in the 10-12 lb. range. Then I caught a 3 lb. King Salmon (some king I thought!) I released it and said GO AND GET YOUR OLD MAN (in the voice of MOE). My turn was over for that day. Next guy up hooked on to a 14 lb. laker. Nice fish !!! Next guy up got a nice fish on that peeled line really fast. After a 5 minute fight, up came a 14 lb. king salmon. WOW!!! we were freaking out..
Next guy gets a 10 or 12 lb. king. Finally my turn again but I got a skunk... we fished for another 3 hours NADA, game over. Home we went. OK guys I said I'm first up tomorrow !!!!!No arguement, since I had nothing to show for the 1st day.
Sunday we're at the boat a 5:30 am. Pouring rain. off we go. Trolled for about 2 hours NADA, then finally the rod pops out of the downrigger, I grab it and line is screaming off the reel like crazy this fish is not stopping. The mate starts clearing all the ohter lines with the help of my buddies and just then I see the rod next to me go off. FISH ON OVER HERE I YELL. My buddy Bob picks that up and line is peeling pretty good. I still have not been able to gain any line on mine. All the other lines are cleared and the 2 fish are all over the place (Please don't tangle I'm praying !!!) Bobby's fish makes a fast run to the boat, he gains lots of line, clamps down on it and they net a nice 16 lb. king. I gained some line, and then my fish also rushes the boat. THey are yelling REEL REEL REEL !!!! Yea, yea I know, but the fish donn't know.... Finally its tired and I get it close enough to see lots of silver in the water. It comes to the net, he hauls it in, and we all nearly shat ourselves.
22 pounds,,,37 inches...YAAAHOOOO!!!!!
Guess that fish from the day before went and got his old man!!!!
That was it for me my arms were burning and it blistered my finger reeling like a madman.
Here are both fish......

[Van]

Here is my trophy.....

[macojoe]

Congrats Van nice fish!! And lots of storys to tell! That is what you call a great weekend!!

[BigFish]

Van you are truely the Man. Welcome back big guy. Awesome fish Van, glad you had a great time. Nice shirt too! What are you gonna do with that fish?

[fishsmith]

22lbs, Nice fish Van!!!

[Mr. Kav]

Hello van glad you had a great time on your mini vacation. now for the real question. what do you think fights harder a 22# king or a 22# striper?

[Van]

BF, I talked to a taxidermist, he said that kings skin mounts do not last, something about oily skin. I thought I might get a replica, but I dont really like the way they look. But i have lots of pictures. Other than that the fish itself yielded lots of nice orange filets. Gonna grill some tonite.

Someone said "smoke it", must be tough to keep lite though.

Kav, I forget how a 22 lb striper feels !!!!!
I'll let you know when the fall run starts..

[chris L]

them are some nice fish Van ! lakers and the steelies fight well !ah the fight of a big king . Dont bother with a skin mount the tax man was right oily skin and it wont last . I caught a 38#er a few years ago in Ontario and was going to mount it ( until she said STOP ) and was told it wouldnt last . for the cost ( 10 to 20 years with time off ) it didnt seem worth it . got some pics off it ( pics are for sale ) and that is good enough for me .

[Van]

Thanks Chris, good to hear a confirmation on that taxidermy thing.

Did you say 38 pounds !!!!! WOW.....