During travels on the river several anglers have asked for suggestions with respect to playing and landing big fish. Once hooked, a 20 - 40 pounder becomes a formidable opponent. In short, the whack 'em and winch 'em technique often does not succeed with fish exhibiting massive and unyielding power. Leaders of 25lb. test, even 30 lb. test, simply break from the strain.

The objective here is to tire the beast. You must tire him to the point where he simply comes to the surface on his side while applying steady pressure from the rod.

1) Set the hook - a down stream side-swing will hopefully set the hook in the corner of the jaw.

2) Fish jumps - lower the rod tip.

3) Fish runs away - let him go with some reel drag to tire him.

4) Direct or lead fish - hold rod on horizontal plane to the riverbank, downstream side of angler. This can often keep the fish in the pool.

5) Tire him out - let the fish work against the power of the rod held horizontal to the bank on the downstream side of the angler, parallel to the river.

6) Fish takes off downstream - feed and free wheel line looping float and line behind fish; he may turn and run upriver.

7) Final play - alternate rod from 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock causing him to lose balance, confuse him.

8) Beach the fish - get behind him and walk him to the beach, touch his tail and he should flip up onto the beach.

9) Netting - head first into net.

10) Tail fish - grasp the wrist portion above the tail.

These techniques may be helpful to some anglers on the river. Exceptional fish and unpredictable incidents always occur forcing the angler to wing it. Also, the feed line behind them technique was much more reliable in the days when fishermen were permitted to use barbed hooks.