Landing Salmon/Steelhead solo

[Mark Kadoshima]

Play fish.

Strip in the final few feet when fish is ready.

Pinch against cork.

Release and swing rod over head and grab tip or leader.

Shorten the leash till fish is to hand.

I got to play this mantra last weekend on a hatchery fish....only my second to hand in 4 years of fishing. Was very helpful. Last time I ended up backwards on my butt with water flowing into my waders from behind (even the fish looked disgusted). Glad no-one was a witness to that one. This time it looked like I knew what I was doing.
Thanks to the forum for the help.
Mark