I know that everyone is heading down to the Hanford Reach to catch fall kings, but I am short on time.

I am leaving for the Oregon coast for an annual fishing trip. However, I learned that Gary Feil hadn't ever caught a king salmon on the Columbia River, so I made a quick trip with him to Wells Dam.

I usually find some aggressive late summer runs or fresh fall fish up there this time of year. More than anything I had in mind getting some eggs to use down in the Reach.

It was warm but rainy when we got there and the water was low and slow. The eggs I did have didn't impress the fish, so I switched to sardine wrapped plugs.

On the first pass the rod folded over and Gary brought a nice unclipped fish to the net.

We celebrated after releasing the fish and on the next pass he learned what fishing with barbless hooks is like. We hooked another king but it spit the hooks before we even got a look at it. We made a couple more passed but got nothing else. Well, mission accomplished.

Gary got his king and we are planning on heading down to the Reach when I get back and put some more of them in the boat.