To fight a white sturgeon on hook and line is to almost know what it feels like when a fish pulls “too hard”. There is no chair to sit in and no belt to harness the rod and weight of the pull. It’s just you, your rod and reel, the river... and the fish. A real battle. Don’t be fooled by the sturgeon's take, it’s most often very subtle (I’ve seen large bullheads put up more of a fuss when they eat)…but that’s where the similarities cease. The first white sturgeon that I set the hook on was an honest 8-footer, and when I did, she rocketed out of the river (apparently she like’s long walks). It was exhilarating to see the sheer size and to feel the power behind these magnificent fish. Truly, at times, the fight was almost too much to bear. But, in the end we got her in the cradle, checked for a tag (every fish we caught, including juveniles were tagged … sans one), measured, then took a few photos until she was ready to swim away. I know what you’re asking yourself… were we fishing or doing research? The answer is yes to both. You see, when you fish with Kevin Estrada of @SturgeonSlayers, it’s all about the river system and the fish. He’s a true conservationist who keeps his finger on the pulse of the sturgeon and I’ve never met someone more in tune with their home waters. When Kevin has anglers join him, he’s still collecting data for the scientists, it’s that or he’s working on the river directly with the researchers themselves. Never in a million years could I have imagined the impact that this trip would have on me. Kneeling down in the river next to these goliath fish was a moment I’ll never forget and one that I can’t wait to experience again.
