DuckBrat
05-08-2011, 12:07 AM
Finally made it out to the Northern Coast again. This time in search of a Steelhead. Next time I go after them it will be in the summer as Spring Steelhead are a test of patience especially when you have never done it before.
I swung flies with my Spey rod for 2 days straight without a take. Thankfully the Coastal cutthroat are both plentiful and beautiful so when my arms got tired I pulled out the nymphing rod and hooked into willing fish. I caught bulls, whitefish, and resident rainbows but I am hooked on Coastal cutthroat, what a fish. Back to the Steelhead however. After 8 hours on day two I decided to change tactics to something a little more familiar and easier on the body. I set up a deep nymphing rig with an egg/sperm pattern on my single handed #9 fly-rod and drifted it thru fishy looking water. Third cast my indicator shot to the opposite bank and I set the hook into a heavy fish. Twenty minutes later I landed my first steelhead, 34" long and massively thick. My hands didn't even make it around a quarter of his girth. It was quite a moment. I lost a few more steelhead throughout the week and realize the miles and the numerous casts that go into spring Steelhead fishing. Be prepared to go many fishless days if you try this. The experienced guides were only landing 2 fish a day (on the good days). Anyway on the way out from the spot where I landed my Steelhead I came across this incredible white Black bear who I startled from sitting in the mud. Thought you would enjoy. Take care.
http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab118/duckbrat/P5030493.jpg
http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab118/duckbrat/P5010488.jpg
http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab118/duckbrat/P5010484.jpg
http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab118/duckbrat/IMG_0209.jpg
http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab118/duckbrat/P5070522.jpg
I swung flies with my Spey rod for 2 days straight without a take. Thankfully the Coastal cutthroat are both plentiful and beautiful so when my arms got tired I pulled out the nymphing rod and hooked into willing fish. I caught bulls, whitefish, and resident rainbows but I am hooked on Coastal cutthroat, what a fish. Back to the Steelhead however. After 8 hours on day two I decided to change tactics to something a little more familiar and easier on the body. I set up a deep nymphing rig with an egg/sperm pattern on my single handed #9 fly-rod and drifted it thru fishy looking water. Third cast my indicator shot to the opposite bank and I set the hook into a heavy fish. Twenty minutes later I landed my first steelhead, 34" long and massively thick. My hands didn't even make it around a quarter of his girth. It was quite a moment. I lost a few more steelhead throughout the week and realize the miles and the numerous casts that go into spring Steelhead fishing. Be prepared to go many fishless days if you try this. The experienced guides were only landing 2 fish a day (on the good days). Anyway on the way out from the spot where I landed my Steelhead I came across this incredible white Black bear who I startled from sitting in the mud. Thought you would enjoy. Take care.
http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab118/duckbrat/P5030493.jpg
http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab118/duckbrat/P5010488.jpg
http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab118/duckbrat/P5010484.jpg
http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab118/duckbrat/IMG_0209.jpg
http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab118/duckbrat/P5070522.jpg