On the southern flank of Hutt Island we find bait. Lots of it. We drop our assortment of spoons, hoochies and flashers into the deep. Korsch says he seldom uses bait in the winter. It just isn't necessary.
Anticipation is high.
About the time we decide that there are no salmon preying on this herring patch, a rod pops up, signaling a hard strike. It's Paul's turn. He grabs the rod and immediately curses as the handles of the Canadian style knuckleduster reel live up to their name. By the time Korsch and I clear the other three rods, unstow the net and get the camera ready Paul has the fish under some semblance of control. It still makes sizzling runs, but each run is a bit shorter than the last.