A Massive Sixty Four Pound British Columbia Salmon

Here is a story worth sharing with all my fishing friends on the internet. My co-worker Dave is set to go on a guided Salmon fishing trip in British Columbia net week. He booked his trip here in Calgary at the boat and sportsman’s show. Dave received this e-mail last week from his guide David Summers at Serengeti Fishing Charters www.serengetifishingcharters.com. Here is the story. Please share it with all your fishing friends!

Hello all,

Well this is one for the ages. Yesterday while trolling along one of our hot spots I saw the rod bend down, and down again, I ran to the rod, pulled up hard and only 6 inches up the rod stopped dead. I said to Mav who I was guiding, “this fish is big” however, I didn’t expect what to was to transpire in the next twenty minutes. I meant big as in 40lbs, which is an amazing Chinook (King) salmon, not the once in a lifetime fish that was soon to follow. 

The fish peeled line faster than I have ever seen another fish do it and by the time I got the other rod in and out of the way, Mav, a guest from Salt Lake City Utah, only had about 30 more yards of line left on his reel. I ran up to the helm and floored the gas and chased after the fish. The rod that was already in the boat almost went into the drink but I didn’t care, I knew this was a special fish. After a 3/4 mile chase, the fish stopped and stayed deep shaking its head often like a large halibut will do so I was beginning to think it could be a flatty.  Mav’s rod was bent into the water and I thought to myself there is NO WAY this could be a salmon so I readied the harpoon.  A few minutes later I looked down and seen the shadow and silver glimmer of a huge Chinook salmon.

I knew it was big. I was thinking 50lbs at first as I only caught a glimpse of it. I ran and grabbed the net, the fish slid towards the boat on its side and into the net it went barely fitting its 51″ body in.  The girth on this fish was 31″.  I pulled it into the boat and immediately knew it was big. 58lbs was my guess but little did I know this fish was one that would break into a class that is only broken a handful of times on the coast of BC every year, the 60lb class! The scale bounced down40, 50, then 60…I thought 60!!!!  But it went further down bouncing around 63 to 65 lbs and settling right at 64lbs, WOW. A 64LBS CHINOOK SALMON!  I yelled and hollered and jumped up and down with my guests on the boat, I have never had a fish like this grace the decks of the Ms. Heather III.  IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING MOMENTS OF BOTH MY AND MAV’S LIVES!

We had several other Chinook in the box including a thirty seven pounder, and it dwarfed it, made it look like a minnow. WHAT AN AMAZING FISH!  THIS FISH IS NOW THE LARGEST EVER GUIDED CHINOOK OUT OF PORT HARDY!  I can not wait to catch another one which this year is looking to provide as it is only June 28th and many of the big fish do not arrive till July and August. 

WE STILL HAVE A FEW DATES LEFT THIS YEAR and if you have been sitting on the edge of coming or not, I think you should take a look at the attached picture!
July 8-10, July 12-15, July 21-25, and Aug 25-27 are still available.  We also have a 2 some looking for another one or two people for their group fishing July 17-19th.  Let me know if you are interested.

Best Wishes,
David Summers
Serengeti Fishing Charters
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
1-888-281-2275