A day fishing is always more than just a day fishing.
It is a day composed of experiences and sensations, big and small, unique to each person and each day on the water. Since all eight people from our crew this September have their own moments which stand out to define the day, it seems fitting to form the day’s narrative lens around specific moments we can all experience and re-experience together: our photos.
With three photographers amongst us, the day was well documented from the get-go. After a misty and curvy pre-dawn drive we found our guides for the day, Bonner Daniels and Todd Daniels, at a country cafe where we joined them for breakfast and wake-up chatter.
Breakfast, fishing stories and the weather report to get the day started.
By the time our two-boat flotilla was in the water, the excitement had built; adding to the fun, the river was already a couple feet higher than the day before and we knew it would continue to rise. Large stumps and logs floated by as we pushed off — there’s nothing tame about a Washington river the day after a torrential downpour, but our crew remained upbeat and focused (while Bonner and Todd handled the serious duties).
Todd Daniels at the helm.
Bonner and Todd are not brothers, but they are both amazingly friendly fishing gurus. We cruised upriver to a spot they agreed would have salmon using the high water to push further upstream. The light mist lifted to welcome daylight and glowing autumn foliage, which set a tone of tranquil suspense. That’s the beautiful thing about a day fishing: you never know what it will reveal. And if fortunate enough to strike a fish, the exact circumstances cannot be determined in advance. It is a day of fluxing anticipation.
High waters and the beauty of autumn.
We had more potential for the unexpected than is typical: we were a large crew; the rivers were raging; and many of us don’t fish all that regularly, especially for salmon. For our crew, this day whipped up a reunion of friends from three states and a chance to slay some water with the pros. It was fitting that one of the more seasoned fishermen in the crew let out the day’s first hoots and hollers of “fish on!” Smooth as silk, Evan hauled in a beautiful coho — and an opportunity to refine his modeling techniques. Like that, one expectation for the day was met.
Happy Evan, happy cameras.
Fetha Styx rods doing what they do best.
There is no doubt that after Evan’s catch every one of us desperately wanted to replicate the feat. The morning was pleasant enough and the cross-boat trash-talking started light in nature, but as time wore by casts got more frequent and the bantering back and forth more boisterous. Bonner and Todd themselves began switching off between coaching and casting — when they weren’t too busy throwing their wit into the growing pile of mockery and derision.
Todd teaching...
...Todd wetting his line.
Smiles and patience on Bonner's boat.
While fun and games may entertain, they sure aren’t very satisfactory to haul in or grill — and we craved those sensations. Our trash-talking revealed a growing determination to ensure that the fish we saw making their high-water runs were not going to elude us.
Todd took matters into his own hands and within minutes had a coho hooked, which he turned over to Garrett for him to fight and reel in. Todd had another rod to hand over ten minutes later, and I hauled in my first coho. Both Garrett and I wished we could have hooked our own, but nonetheless were enthused and inspired by the fish we helped put in the ice box.
Teamwork: Garrett and Todd netting a coho.
Bonner and Todd are more than just friendly people and fishing experts: they are genuinely interested in your fishing experience. Todd says after handing his fish over to Garrett, “I get as much enjoyment watching other people catch fish as I do catching them myself.”
Nevertheless, it was time again for one of us to hook a fish without the help of a professional. Little did we know as we tried different angles, trolled and enjoyed the simple fact of being on the water what an excitement the next catch would be.
Great vistas.
Our day was full of firsts. First time seeing friends in a long while. First time meeting Bonner and Todd. First time guided salmon fishing for some; Kristen’s first time fishing. Kristen had heard plenty of fishing talk from Jamie and RC, and from being immersed in Sound culture while living in Seattle, but had yet to make it out herself. However enthused she was to get out on the water, like everyone before a day of fishing she couldn’t fully know what to expect.
When her rod dipped and successfully set, the trip’s accumulated enthusiasm leapt out of the water in a surreptitiously-sublime moment. Kristen, clearly, had been studiously absorbing the atmosphere and instruction. Her instincts took over as she battled her catch with confidence and strength. It was obvious to most that Kristen had hooked a huge pink, but, for her, it wasn’t until she fought the salmon into the net that her accomplishment began to set in. Watching Kristen’s sense of place, instinct, surprise and adrenaline simultaneously surface was as impressive as her catch and enough to reenergize all — note expressions!
Kristen, Bonner and a monster.
Kristen's pink.
It took a while for all of us to unwind and relax after Kristen’s catch. Events, like this one, of such unexpected magic and emotion on the water remind us weeks later just how rewarding a weekend composed around fishing and friends can be. It’s fishing trips like this one that fuel and motivate future fishing trips.
The day's catch.
Back at the parking lot, impressed by Bonner and Todd’s friendliness and convinced that they know where to find fish in any condition, our crew could not adequately express our gratitude and appreciation to them for the fun and rewarding day.
Thanks to:
FethaStyx.com.
FethaStyxBlog.com.
Todd Daniels (TallTailsGuideService.com).
Bonner Daniels (BDFishOn.com).
Gracious Hosts:
Jamie and Kristen.
Chief Motivator:
Garrett.
Fetha Styx Flotilla:
Evan (live feed); RC (photos); Zack (words).
Photography:
(eyeini.com).
Have you watched Coho Mojo yet? It’s a short photomotion film by EYEinI Photography documenting the same outing: Todd Daniels, Bonner Daniels, and the Fetha Styx Flotilla on the Snohomish River System.
Watch Coho Mojo.