Class Act 1

Derek Floyd of Reel Class Charters in Sitka, Alaska is a marked man.

Without question, he is in the crosshairs of every "salmon sharpshooter" participating in the upcoming Anacortes Salmon Derby.

His recent success in the past couple seasons of the Northwest Salmon Derby Series is unprecedented…and very impressive! We're talking wins and in the 2011 Roche Harbor Invitational, 2010 Resurrection Derby,  top boat weight in the 2011 Resurrection Derby and more!

So it should come as no surprise that when I heard that he was bringing his Alaskan charter boat "The Angler" down from Sitka for the winter, I cringed a bit knowing that the Derby Series "Top Gun" was bringing his favorite weapon to bear upon the rest of us mere mortal salmon fishermen.

I've known Derek for more years than I care to admit and the first time I met him was at… you guessed it, a salmon derby. Even though we've known each other for quite some time, I have never had the opportunity to fish with Derek so when he invited me aboard his 30-foot Coldwater, for a little San Juan salmon action, I jumped at the chance!

Derek in his "office", the deck of his 30' Coldwater the "Angler".  

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Scott Bumstead is Derek's "partner in crime" and nothing short of an ace angler in his own right.

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It didn't take long for Scott to work some "middle-rigger magic" and this fine 14lb made an empty fishbox suddenly look good!

One of Derek's go-to tactics is the "choked" or "half-hitched" herring. he was kind enough to allow me to film his technique… Click on the pic below to view the video!
 

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…and soon I had my own "half-hitched" chinook in the fishbox!

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You don't often see the Straits of Juan de Fuca this flat in March, let alone sunny and warm! We were very lucky with weather -and fish- on this trip.

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Back at the dock, Scott and Derek look over a fine limit of blackmouth, some approaching springer size! 

I've been fishing literally my whole life and I've been absolutely blessed to fish with some talented anglers that I can call friends and Derek certainly fits into that category.

If you have a chance to get up to Sitka, by all means, book a trip with Derek's outfit, Reel Class Charters. You'll be treated to a memorable, productive experience and just as importantly, you might just pick up a trick or two that will make a difference in your education as an angler.

Tom Nelson

The Outdoor Line

Saturdays 6-8am

710 ESPN Seattle

www.theoutdoorline.com