[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”half_row_height” slider_images=”11948″][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1521730803071{background-color: #7ea878 !important;}”][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content”][vc_column width=”1/12″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”8/12″][vc_column_text]
Interview: Derek Barber on Chinook Rigging
Derek Barber is a well-known and respected guide on the lower Skeena drainage. He was part of a group of anglers who greatly contributed to developing fly fishing for Chinook in the area. As a guide he gets to see a great number of Chinook, both landed and lost…. I thought it might be interesting to ask him some key questions on his set up.
Jaap: Good morning Derek.
Derek: Good morning!
Jaap: So, Derek, what type of rod do you like to use for your Chinook fishing?
Derek: A fast-action rod in 14′-15′ length. I like a nice long rod because you are always wading deep and fishing a heavy rig when fishing for Chinook. And you want a rod that can present your fly out to the seams where the fish are traveling.
Jaap: These days I see and hear of quite a few guys who prefer shorter rods for Chinook. But you prefer the longer rods?
Derek: Yes, I think the idea behind the shorter rods is that you get better leverage for fighting the fish. But if you use a stiff-actioned rod you will get pretty much the same result but with the added benefit of a long rod to handle the heavy lines.
Jaap: You like that extra length for bringing the heavy sinking tips to the surface.
Derek: Yes.
Jaap: And what kind of lines do you use?
Derek: I mostly fish intermediate Skagit heads with 18′ tips. I vary the weight depending on the depth I want to fish, from T10 to T18.
Jaap: So you are fishing a pretty heavy rig mostly.
Derek: Yes, when you are fishing for Chinook that is the name of the game; getting down.
Jaap: What do you use for a leader?
Derek: I fish a pretty heavy leader; 25-30lbs. I don’t think there is any point in going lighter on them. They are not leader shy. You could tie the fly directly on the end of your sink tip if you wanted to. You want something that you can pull on hard, so you can land them fast and let them go. And with the thicker leader you don’t have to worry too much about abrasions on rocks and such.
Jaap: Yeah, or on their teeth; Chinook got pretty nasty teeth.
Derek: Yep, they are tough critters!
Jaap: Yeah…..
Derek: It’s a different animal than steelhead.
Jaap: Yeah. What kind of hooks do you use?
Derek: I like to use pretty big, up-eye, bait hooks; 2/0 or 3/0. Nice heavy wired ones, that won’t bend out. Something that’s got lots of penetration to get into the hard mouth of a Chinook, and hopefully stay in place.
Jaap: Yeah. And for flies? Any particular colours, sizes?
Derek: For fresh fish I use a 3″ to 5″ fly. My go-to colour is a chartreuse/blue, with lots of silver flash, to imitate baitfish. That’s what they are feeding on in the ocean. Sometimes just a few hours before we get them. So you imitate whatever they are after, out in the ocean.
Jaap: Right. For sure. What do you like to use for shooting line? You have probably tried all kinds?
Derek: Yes, true. I like a mono running line in 50 lbs. Guideline Compline is really good. Low stretch, doesn’t tangle and lasts a long time. I use a pretty heavy shooting line because I use a pretty heavy leader and you don’t want to break your shooting line…
Jaap: Well, that’s about it. Thanks Derek.
Derek: No problem.
Hope you enjoyed the interview. We would love to hear about your favourite rigs for Chinook. Let us know by commenting below. Cheers.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/12″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar1″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
