Shuswap On The Nipissing

A FISHING STORY

2002
by : Frank Jurilj

Ron and I were fishing in a channel and we saw some minnows jumping. We moved the boat over to the shore that had all these minnows jumping.  I couldn't figure out what was making them jump but I put a minnow on my jig head and one on the stinger hook. I took one cast and bang.

The rod bent over and Ron and I knew it was a big fish but we really had no idea. After about 10 minutes and two or three runs under the boat, out from the boat and upstream it finally jumped. 
Across the bay a man on the dock who was fishing with a bobber jumped up and yelled NET IT!!! NET IT!!!!

Both Ron and I looked at each other and I said we don't have a chance on this gear. Ron grabbed the net and said. "Well don't give up."  I fought the fish for another 15-20 minutes and it jumped another 3 times.  It ran under the boat. It ran toward the anchor rope and the whole time I said, "We don't have a chance."

Finally, the fish started to slow and I brought it beside the boat. Ron and I both said, "This isn't going to fit in this net." I lead its head into the net and the fish almost straightened out but Ron managed to get the tail in and we both pulled on the closed net and got it in. I never thought we could catch a fish this size on an ultra light spinning rod with 6 lbs test.

But we did. Boy did I celebrate that night.