I am launching a new on-going interview series dubbed "Interview With a Fisherman". The goal is to get some background info on some of the local legends, top rods and "power posters" out there, I hope you guys find it interesting.

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Interview With a Fisherman: "Charlie"


Why do you fish?
I stopped hunting in 1968, as I no longer found enjoyment or challenging for me. Fishing I have always found more challenging and does require skill, even when there are fish everywhere… there is still skill involved to get a 30-40 pound king to first take the bait, and then to get it to the boat. I also enjoy being on and around the different waters. A large part is going to the different places and meeting new people.

How did you get started fishing?
I have always fished! The first fishing experience I remember is going to a pond and fishing for sunfish when I was 2/3 years old.

What is your favorite type of fishing?
In regards to gear? Salmon on the fly is a blast!

What is your favorite Species and largest catch?
My favorite species is: Tyee, Spring, King, and Chinook, in that order! I have fished almost every species throughout the years and caught fish in the 400/500 pound range. I like the experiences, but I pretty much limit my fishing to the Pacific Northwest now and Chinook/Springs, and mostly to the Pacific. We do have 65 pound Kings in our Washington rivers… I can attest to that, but they are not the same as catching one offshore! My largest spring offshore, to date is only 46 pounds. I also, refuse to travel to Alaska to catch "the one fish" in a river, which in my opinion isn't worth eating unless it is canned or smoked?

What is the most interesting or surprising thing you have learned while fishing?
The effects of "Global Warming" and "El Nino" on salmon


Tell us one of your most memorable fishing experiences?
I have had many, but I think the most memorable was when I was trout fishing in the Yakima River, with my baitcast rod and reel. The water was crystal clear and I looked down and saw some Steelhead, so I started to target them. I literally threw everything I had at them (and I was carrying Steelhead gear in my vest). Nothing was working, so I backed out of the river, hiked about a mile back to my truck, got my fly rod and hiked back to the same spot. I only had 2 pound leaders with me, so I cut one down making it somewhere probably around 5 pound test. I then picked the biggest "muddler" fly I had, which was green and cast it out. First cast I could see one of the Steelhead go after it. The second cast landed in front of a fish and as the fly drifted past the fish it repositioned downstream, right in front of the fly. A 36 inch Steelhead hit the fly and I didn't see that fish up close again for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

What is your favorite area to fish?
Without a doubt… for large salmon, Ferrer Point! If DFO ever does away with the 77 cm rule, you will find me there!

If you could offer just one piece of advice to a new angler what would it be?
Read, Study, and Learn your target… the more you know what you are fishing for the more successful you will be.

Where do you see the west coast fishery in 20 years?
I don't think I will be around to see any fishery in 20 years! It is a proven fact that every species on earth, even humans will evolve and go extinct. Yes, we will go extinct just as the salmon will, just as dinosaurs did and unfortunately, salmon are well on their way, down that road. Most all salmon caught in the Pacific Northwest nowadays is a hatchery fish. We have almost completely wiped out most of our natural runs on both sides of the border. "We" need to change some things and help them survive and I hope we do! The west coast fishery in 20 years? Your guess is as good as mine? However, if we don't start making some changes to help preserve and protect "our" environment to slow the current processes down, the only thing left might be tuna fishing?

I hope my grand kids have the opportunity that I have had… will they? That depends on us!

Great Idea -

Interesting stuff Charlie - might go well on the back of the book

A EXCELLENT choice for your first of Many (? ) interviews!

Thank you guys!
I will love and can't wait, to see everyone else's answers!

Cool idea!

Great idea. An excellent way to showcase the talent and experience on this forum.

Well put!!

Charlie anything you can tell us about the book? Any idea when you might release it? Any chance we can post a small teaser?

Well I was "Gone Fishing"! As I told the publisher, this is the "prime" fishing season for the entire year! Let me think... "fishing" or "negotiating a contract", fishing won!

I guess the neat thing, is the book is still growing, as I keep finding things to add! Everything specifically addresses the salmon migrating down the WCVI. The locations, how to get there, and the techniques I have used; to include the "local areas and knowledge" gained throughout the years, and also what makes them the fisheries they are! Local knowledge is very important!

As I was fishing this past couple of days, I really noted the difference in the quality of fish between here (Puget Sound) and the WCVI, to the point when I got home I told my wife to give the Puget Sound fish away first, keep the good fish for us! Remember, these are the same fish I was catching on WCVI, less than two weeks ago! It still amazes me the difference in quality! The WCVI, in my opinion is still the best salmon fishing in the world!

The book will not be released until we have secured the proper "Copyright" approvals (in writing), as I do have specific locations shown on specific "Copyrighted Canada charts". We have verbal approval from Canada, but no signed agreement as of yet.

Ah yes, the old beaurocratic red tape pause, it could be months before there is any movement on that front
I am used to waiting on our Govt., for permits and sign-offs, so I guess we'll just have to wait a little while longer for your book. Someone once said " All good things come to he who waits"