Botched Net Job, Willamette River Chinook Fishing, July 7, 2026

Mark, myself & my son Bobby hit the Willamette Tuesday morning (July 7, 2026) for some summer chinook fishing. It was an eventful trip. Mark got both his rods hung up with a nice salmon tugging on another angler's line. Those guys were great about it. I got a takedown but no hookup. Mark hooked a really nice chinook. While he was fighting it another salmon followed along and looked like he wanted the lure or flasher as he kept slashing at them. Finally the fish was close enough to net but I fouled up an easy net job and moments later Mark's fish came unbuttoned. About 15 mintutes after that I got a small keeper chinook. Bobby slept through most of the action and woke up to see my fish on the deck of the boat. Both fish hooked on G. Loomis IMX-Pro salmon trolling rods, Shimano 401 Line counter reels and PowerPro 50 lb braid (Super 8 Slick) See the end of the video for the lures and other specifics.