Fish Whacker

I spend a lot of my off season prepping for the new year.

Being ready for whatever a season can throw at me is the key to success. Okay, healthy salmon runs sure help too.

I’ve purchased new waders and boots. Broken fly rods have been replaced, and so have reels that have seen better days. I’ve restocked spools of fishing line and leader material too, and increased my dwindling supply of 3/0 circle hooks. 

Another item I’m in short supply of are fish whackers. Between losing a couple of them, and wearing out another, 2025 was a tough one.

Here’s an interesting fact. There is no other tool I use more in the course of a season than a fish whacker. Who knew? If you want to know what number two is, it’s my landing net. 

At this point of the blog, if you’re a little confused about fish whackers, thirteen years ago I wrote about why they’re used. The article can be found here.    

Sure, I could purchase a commercially made fish whacker but what fun is that? I asked my friend Don, a talented woodworker, if he’d be interested in making a new one for me. I told him there’s no reason to make it into a piece of art, it just needed to be functional. 

To my surprise he made 5 of them. I think they are more than functional.

I think I’m set for a long, long time. Thanks, Don! 

ADDENDUM

If you’re reading this Al, my favorite fish whacker is the “Black Mouth Sleeper” you gave me years ago. I keep it in the boat because I don’t want to lose it while wading in the river fishing for red salmon. Chuck, if you are reading this, the most hilarious fish whacker I own is the “Fish Head Club 9 Iron” you gave me. Always a good laugh when I bring that one out.