We got out for a few hours yesterday before we got to work on putting the new Cannons on the boat.  We set up out in 200FOW looking for Kings and started our troll out deeper hoping to find a temperature break.  We trolled all the way out to 500FOW and didn't see much on the screen that was exciting us.  So we picked up and ran back into 250FOW.  Once we got set back up we started to see some occasional nice hooks down 50-60' or so along with some smaller hooks up higher.  We immediately hooked up with a steelie that came on a flatline pulling a J-9 Rapala GFR.  After that we had a BIG rip on the wire rig set out 150', but I wasnt able to land the fish.  It was nice to have a major on, even if we ended up losing it!  That fish hit a Siggs Rigs Die Hard/Habanero flasher/fly combo.  Its only a matter of a few more weeks and it'll be full-on King season in Fair Haven, and I can't wait!!!  We also began running our new Shark Cannonballs this weekend, and I gotta tell you, I've never run a rigger weight that tracks that straight and true.  LOVE 'EM!!
After that we managed another smaller king on a Northern King Habanero spoon fished off a rigger down 25' and my wife landed a nice brown that came off of a 2 color core pulling a Dreamweaver Coyote Ugly spoon.  My wife used to fish with me a lot more often, but since the kids came she hasn't been out with us all that much, so it was was nice to see her fighting a fish again.  Now that the kids are getting a bit older and we can bring them out with us, I'm hoping she joins us more often.

Jay and Shelley with the brown. 

Jay had knee surgery earlier this year, and today was his first day back on the boat after a month-long hiatus to get his knee well.  Sure am glad to have him back!
 
After that, we headed in and got down to business on the riggers.  It only took us a couple of hours to get the new riggers installed.  I think they look awesome, and boy, are they FAST!  Next on the list of uprades is our new Depth Raider speed & temperature probe.  We're expecting the unit to arrive this week, and we plan to have it installed within a week or so.

Don't those Cannon Downriggers look HOT??  Did I mention that they're FAST???

We had a great day in Fair Haven yesterday.  Even slow June days like this are a ton of fun for me!  June is typically our transition month as we move from brown/coho/steelhead fishing into King Salmon fishing.  It won't be long before the BIG BOYS invade Fair Haven and you'll start seeing pictures of HUGE Chinook Salmon on these report pages.

Just a quick update on my availablity for charters.  I have the following dates open at this point:  June 23, July 21, August 19 (am ONLY), 20, 21, 26, and September 1, 2, 3, 22, 23.  The August & early September dates all fall during the absolute PINNACLE of the salmon season for us, and are also Fall LOC Derby dates.  I honestly can't believe that those dates are still open!  Should you decide to book one of those dates, I'd  recommend you also buy a derby ticket ($15 for the day).  First prize for the derby is $20,000 and the winner typically comes from our Eastern end of the lake.  There are lots of stories of guys who caught a fish that would've won the derby but weren't entered.  Don't let that happen to you.  You gotta be in it to win it.  Everyone in the boat must be entered.  My crew and I are already entered.  You should be too.

When I say that dates are filling up fast, I'm not kidding:  I booked three dates last week alone.  If you're considering a fishing trip at some point this season, I'd get in touch ASAP.  I know that there are several of you who have been procrastinating over making your reservation for this season...you'd better get on it or you're going to miss your opportunity to enjoy this wold-class fishery this year.  When these dates are booked, I'll be at 100% capacity for the season. 

Well, that's it for a couple of weeks as I'll be traveling on business for a bit and won't get back out again until mid-June.

Best Fish's,

~Capt. Bill