Isn't that worm a bit big?

[cuttstosteelies]

He shut up once number 4 got to the bank.  Several wild fish today.  What a great day to get out.  Why did I quit carrying my camera?  These fish were pure specimens.  Awesome day. Pretty lame report, I know, but I had to brag a bit since fishing is few and far between these days.  On a side note, Kramers curly tail worm got absolutely inhaled by a thick shouldered buck, as in entire worm in stomach type of inhaled.  I usually pull the trigger rather quick on these takes but this sucker just wanted to suck it down!  I couldn't put myself up to handling the fish too much in an effort to get the hook out so I cut the leader as close to the mouth as I could.  Kills me to know that there is a beautiful wild buck with a hook in its gut but I had to do what I had to do.  What is the probability that this fish is unharmed?  He swam off like a champ and there was absolutely no blood.  This is the first steel caught with the worm (out of several hundred) that literally swallowed the snake.  However, I can't stop thinking about it. 

[Barbless]

Sounds like a decent day... Much better than the one I am having

I never get tired of people gawking over big bad worms. The conversation always starts with, "So, those things ever work?"... "Nope, they sure don't!"

[Big Buck]

sounds like a great day, but whats up with no camera  hopefully that big buck will be OK , it sounds like you did all you could do...

[cuttstosteelies]

BB, I've got so many pics of steelhead that I just get lazy I guess.  I know, I need to get it out.  Especially seeing that a bud of mine landed a 25+ pound specimen about a mile below me a few days ago. 

[BigJim]

 Sounds like a great day, were you bank bound or in a boat? I figure 4 from a boat is good but four from the bank is better. I think you did the right thing with the inhaling of the worm, thats a tough decision and everytime I try to take a deep hook out of any fish(never had it happen on steelhead or salmon) they end up worse for wear. Cameras are essential now though, its like forgetting forceps.

[Big Buck]

cutts im over here in e. wa. and dont get to fish the west side near as much as i like, and cant get enough sightings of big chrome nates, i get a lot fishing fix from pics on this sight   ......  so the more pics the better..

[Mavrick]

yeah Cutts, have got hundreds of pic's myself but every one has a wonderful story behind it....
who knows... maybe someday some Jack might get a law passed where one may not even take a Pic at all...Plus i would like to see how(I'm doin it!) you rigged that Kramer curly on either a floating or sinktip and see how many bloodknots it took to taper ur tippet to get the right swing needed on your bugrod

that kind of inhalation on a winterrun would bug me also

[BC Steel]

I couldn't put myself up to handling the fish too much in an effort to get the hook out so I cut the leader as close to the mouth as I could.  Kills me to know that there is a beautiful wild buck with a hook in its gut but I had to do what I had to do.  What is the probability that this fish is unharmed?  He swam off like a champ and there was absolutely no blood. 

I tubed a wild buck for broodstock one time that had a hook so far down his throat that I couldnt even see the hook. No blood. When I brought it in the hatchery guys said no problem. Got a call a couple days later that the fish coughed it up. The fish was fine for a few more weeks in the hatchery, spawned and then released. Your fish is probably fine too.

[BigJim]

I couldn't put myself up to handling the fish too much in an effort to get the hook out so I cut the leader as close to the mouth as I could.  Kills me to know that there is a beautiful wild buck with a hook in its gut but I had to do what I had to do.  What is the probability that this fish is unharmed?  He swam off like a champ and there was absolutely no blood. 

I tubed a wild buck for broodstock one time that had a hook so far down his throat that I couldnt even see the hook. No blood. When I brought it in the hatchery guys said no problem. Got a call a couple days later that the fish coughed it up. The fish was fine for a few more weeks in the hatchery, spawned and then released. Your fish is probably fine too.

 That is awesome.

[fishpimp]

way to go justin. 

 as for fish swallowing hooks. i have 2 pet catfish{ whiskers and fluffy  } they are in a 120 gallon tank in my office . i have had them for about 8 years. anyway i kept  fluffy because he had swallowed a hook really deep and i didn't think he would make it.  about 3 days later the hook was laying at the bottom of my tank. cool huh.    i would be way more worried about the stretchy worm then the hook.  plastics can do alot of damage to a fish if they cant puke it back up{ or so i have heard}

[Fast- eddy]

Steve,

The only curly tails you carry right now are the stretchies right?  Nice going Cutts,sounds like a fun outing.

[queets guy]

mmm....after reading this, I feel rather under-gunned with my 3 and 4inchers. 

[WaFlyCaster]

Nice report.  I agree, I've often wondered is this water too low and clear for a big pink worm.  Maybe I should try something that doesnt stand out soo much on a bright sunny low/clear water day.  I'll switch up to something smaller and darker draw a blank.  Then go back to the "too big" pink worm and WHAM fish on.  Natives don't seem to be able to resist the big worms no matter what the conditions are. 

[Grizz]

Love those wiggler tails. Need to pick up some more come to think of it.

[Strike Rite Tackle Co.]

mmm....after reading this, I feel rather under-gunned with my 3 and 4inchers. 

Size does matter