Seattle, WA, June 18, Harbor Island Low Bridge, …last weekend my friend John, a consummate fisherman, excitedly exclaimed “this coming Friday is opening day for pinks and the forecast is for the largest return to the Green River in decades.”
You ask, “what in the … is a pink? Simply, it’s a salmon. Pink salmon in their native range have a strict two year life cycle, thus odd and even-year populations do not interbreed. Adult pink salmon enter spawning streams from the ocean, usually returning to the water course where they originated. During their spawning migration, males develop a pronounced humped back, hence their nickname "humpies". In the ocean, pink salmon are bright silver fish. After returning to their spawning stream, their coloring changes to pale grey on the butt with yellowish white belly (although some turn an overall dull green color). Pink salmon average 4 to 5 pounds in weight. While most of the local fishermen prefer chinook or coho, the pink/humpy can be a lot of fun to catch just before they migrate into the fresh water stream to spawn.
Following instructions from John I purchased my salt water license/punch card, 3 specific pink jigging lures, a pair of polarized clip on sunglasses (so I could see deep into the water), picked up a medium sized cooler and ice for the anticipated fish catch, and a jacket for the Seattle evening. John would provide the spinning rod and reel. While buying the license the clerk said would be $25.00 cash only then commented “it’s too bad you aren´t over 70, it would only cost you $8.00.” I´m not that vain, the driver’s license came out immediately.
The Harbor Island Low Bridge crosses the Green River, upstream approximately ½ mile from it entering Seattle´s Elliott Bay and spans a large water hole where the fish will rest and begin acclimating to the fresh water before moving on to the spawning locations. Typically the bridge will be lined with fisherman from one shore to the other – 100 to 150 jostling fishermen casting their lure into the water below and jigging the pole while retrieving the lure for another cast and retrieve. Lots of nervous expectation, excitement and frustration, as lines tangle and fish come unhooked as they are retrieved up to the bridge surface. |
| Big John |
Even though I had fished this “hole” in a boat during a Boeing fishing derby some 50 years previously (and caught a 26.75 pound King) little had changed in the appearance of the river and surrounding industrial scenery. Eerie!
We drove south to West Seattle through heavy homebound traffic and arrived about 5 PM, walked to the bridge, setup, and got ready to fill our limits. My first cast did travel about 30 feet before settling into the water with a splash. The second cast struck the water 20 feet down and 4 feet out with a mighty splash. The guy next to me commented out of the side of his mouth, “at least you got it where it belongs - into the water.” Nice encouragement. After two hours of casting and retrieving I sat down for a rest without having a hit. I did see 5 fish caught on approximately 100 poles, including one on each side of me. Not good fishing, but a beautiful evening and a wonderful experience. We left and went to a local restaurant for good fish and chips then returned home to explain to Dolores the empty coolers. I will return!
Thanks Big John.
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