I new there was a reason I listen to your advice. Congrats on a great fish… you deserve to get out and have some fun with the rest us.

I’m sneaking down tomorrow afternoon and Saturday to catch a few of her sisters!
See ya,
Jeff

I’ve been playing with boards off and on the last two years and went through a similar experience. I have gone to longer rods 8.5 foot + and put a big bend on the rod while maintaining some trolling speed with my kicker and snap the boards off with my left hand allowing the kicker and the flex in the rod to keep tension on the fish. I don’t know if this is text book but it has been working very well for me the last couple years since discovering the method.

Sign me up!
I’m feeling lucky.

Put me in!

I use and love it. When three waying or dragging cranks. Just remember no stretch means you have to compensate with a little less drag or you’ll rip lures away from the fish. I’ve stayed with 10/4 primarily.

A lot has already been said on this topic but the bottom line is that those of us that fish the river all the time for recreation while introducing friends and family to this tremendous resource need to set the same example that the professional guides do and set boat rules on what’s taken. I personnaly don’t keep fish for eating over 18″ any more and in many cases practice total catch and release. I will occasionally take a few for a meal. Those 15-18’s are tasty. Be a role model take a deep breath as James described above and talk to those guys you may befriend them and be able to change the way they look at their next catch.
Jeff Iverson

It’s time to dust the cob webs off the boat. See you Saturday!
Jeff