Guess the weight

[_TONY_]

I'd be really surprised if this buck hit 14lbs...

13 max

[wamuledeer]

11lb buck, 31"

[boneaddict]

But, the ultimate fight, big buck chums on a 15' spey rod.  They use the leverage against you and make you 

Straight up 7 thru 9 weight rod, and they turn you into a chum groupie.   That will be a whole new thread.  Pound for pound on a fly rod, I almost gave up steelies for them, except for the occasional barbecue. First year was without a drag system, palming my real.   Good experience.   

[PolarBear]

When I was in Alaska we would catch chums with a spinner and a 6 1/ foot trout rod and 10 pound line.  We would have to let them tow the skiff around to tire them out.  A 30 pound chum on real light tackle is pretty tough to beat!

[h20hunter]

Your talk of chum on a fly makes me think back to fishing ultra light gear for carp growing up. A tiny little ball of cornmeal doughbait, an old mitchell spinning real, and an whippy ultralight rod.....ah yes...epic battles did we have!

[SkookumHntr]

12lb, 32inch

[PolarBear]

Your talk of chum on a fly makes me think back to fishing ultra light gear for carp growing up. A tiny little ball of cornmeal doughbait, an old mitchell spinning real, and an whippy ultralight rod.....ah yes...epic battles did we have!

We did the same thin in Tennessee.  Cheap zebco kids set up, a corn meal dough ball and a 6 year old fighting 10-20 pound carp and the occasional blue cat.  Tons of fun! 

[boneaddict]

Poor mans bonefish.   I've made a couple trips targeting carp at Bankslake with a fly.   Fun fishery.   3wt 9'6 Sage.   Not too worried about tiring them out.   

[Wanttohuntmore]

I've been wanting to target carp on the fly but never made the trip.  I seriously need to retire so I could fish/hunt full time.  Someday hopefully!  Also need to try smallies on the fly.

My first chum on the fly were with a cheap 7wt and a scientific angler reel with a horrible drag.  Ended up having to Palm drag as well.  They taught me more about fighting big fish than anything.  Also proved to me that sand on fly line can cut through your stripping finger with ease.

Some of you are amazingly close on your weight guess.  I'll reveal all tonight.

[_TONY_]

Chums are great and all, but just wait until you hook an estimated 30+lb steelhead on a fly rod.... that's fun!  My problem is I can never seem to get them to hand  upper 20's is my largest so far...

Though, I would say the best fight ever would be gear fishing with a spoon direct with powerpro!!!

Tony

[Elkpiss]

31.5 inch  / 11.5 lbs Buck

[jackelope]

12.5 pounds 29". He looks thick.

[TommyH]

12.5 lbs, 30 inches, buck.

[Bullkllr]

Alright Wanttohuntmore,

You got enough attention already. Time to spill.

[Wanttohuntmore]

It was 35.5" and 15lbs even on a very accurate digital scale.  I was surprised, as I know I've caught bigger.  So who is the closest?  Some of you were quite close.  I would have guessed 13lbs by the photo.