Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing Reports => Members' Fishing Reports => Topic started by: Fisherama on February 28, 2009, 12:00:41 AM
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For some people, steelheading seems to come naturally. Somehow, maybe with a bit of luck, natural instinct, or even naivety, they’re able to connect and land one in their first season or even on their first outing. This certainly wasn’t the case for me. I spent the first 2 seasons dabbling in the arts and treating steelheading trips as I would any other fall salmon trip. Over that period of time, I only hooked up once, and only for about 5 seconds, never actually seeing the elusive fish. I heard it all “…the average fisherman takes 2 seasons to land a steelhead…” "...fish of a thousand casts..." yeah yeah yeah, two seasons are up, what’s going on? If not for the peacefulness and beauty of the season, I might have given up. I read every bit of steelheading literature I could get my hands on…magazines, internet sites, Dec Hogan’s “A Passion for Steelheading”, and soon I became obsessed with this fish that I simply couldn’t catch.
In my 3rd season, I started fly fishing for summer-runs after learning that they’re more active in the warmer water, and perhaps willing to move further for an offering. Every week, I made the long trek out to the flow in hopes of finally connecting, and by the 3rd trip it finally happened; I hooked a bright summer-run and completely lost my composure. For some reason, I decided to play the wild fish by hand. The slack line ended up entangling my feet and after the summer-run made a quick dash, the line pulled tight and I ended up flat on my butt, wet, and without a steelhead. I thinking I entered a new phase here, where I actually believed that it would never happen for me and I put the elusive fish further up on a pedestal, never meant for me to touch.
This is my 4th season. I decided to come into it with a strategy:
- concentrate my efforts on the most productive river
- fish it hard during peak season
- choose one offering and stick with it no matter what
- find one stretch of river and fish it exclusively, learning its secrets and holding spots
Every trip I’ve made this year has been slightly more productive than the last, whether it’s learning a new technique from fellow fisherman, or observing them to find new holding spots. Last week, I fished my chosen stretch of river bottom to top and as I began to work it down once again I found my own holding spot. My float shot below the surface and the fight was on…but only for about 10 seconds… My leader had worn down and snapped just above the hook. I already knew this, but it was reiterated in my consciousness, always check your setup for weaknesses whether it’s in your mainline, leader or hook. There’s not much room for error here.
Today, I made the trek out again, confident that I would at least connect. I worked the same stretch of river bottom to top. And once again, and the way back down, in the exact same spot, my float shot down. I set the hook hard and the fight was on!!! For real this time! I kept my composure, and after a spirited fight, I finally did it!! I landed my first steelhead ever! Shaking from excitement, I took some quick photos and sent her on her way. I actually thanked her for the fight…that’s the first time I’ve ever talked to a fish.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f287/evshih/Veddersteel1.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f287/evshih/Veddersteel2.jpg)
As hue-nut’s last report was meant to inspire others, I decided to do the same. Sorry about the life story, but I figured that some of you can relate to the struggles and might find this interesting.
Oh and Chris, I think this may be the beginning of my own lucky float...but mine doesn't stand for all that is wrong and evil :D ;D the leafs suck *cough*
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f287/evshih/P2270062.jpg)
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Congratulations are in order. Persistence finally pays off. :)
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Nice doe.
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lol, congratutlations!! that must of been really exhilerating!! I like the talking to the fish part! I lucked out on my first season on the 7th outing i was thanking the fish myself!!! lol You are now hooked!!!!
I'm still in Vietnam! i'm trying to get home earlier then my date i was intending to just so i can get a week of hardcore steelheading in before i head back to work!
The fishing SUX in NAM LAND!!!! Thumbs Down!
Franky,
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Woo-freaking-whoo, man! Way to go, Fisherama!!! And please don't apologize for the background story, it made your report into a story, rather than just another "I caught a fish" report. :D
I remember my first steelhead so well, my hands were shaking. Now I can't wait until I get my first on the fly. Thanks for a touch more motivation to keep going!
:D
Tex
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great story I am a week late with mine but hope to get it posted today
congrats
another on the Jig I see
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Beautiful doe! You're lucky to have such a nice one as your first. Gorgeous fish.. Most of the time when I talk to the fish I'm swearing at them ;)
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Awesome!!! i'm guessing that this is gonna be one of your most memorable moments for 2009, congrats on your success and hard work. Steelheading can be such a mental battle, and finally bringing one to hand is barely describable. Thanks for taking the time to share. Bet you're gonna check that spot every time you go out now, maybe till you find even a better one!
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congrats man! talk about commitment. Everyone goes through a period of skunks, just depends if its getting ur first or in the middle. Its sweet that u got er done. My first was when i was 10, just going fishing, then it took me 2 seasons to get my 2nd.
Now to warn u, prepare to become a gear whore, spends tons of money on tackle, rods and reels, collect some of them, use the lame excuse of "they have sentimental value" so u dont give any of them up. And make the occasional skeen, terrace, thompson trip spending tons of money on gas and food and rooming just to hook a "fish"
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Excellent report, Congrats on your first landed Steel to you and Hue-nut .Don't be embarrassed about writing along winded report,we all love reading them ;).You've learned well grasshopper.Like Younggun says watch your spending,you could go broke on gear in these tough economic times,unless of course your a lottery winner or already rich.Thats a beauty doe man they are a beautiful species aren't they.I was so hoping to get out today myself,knowing that Steelhawk wouldn't be out, there would be one more available slab to be had ,I needed a break after a tiring work fish week.I was out Monday and released a nice wild doe mid river(a bit smaller than yours),and was out again Friday walking and fishing allot of water, got lucky about 11 a.m. and bonked a 9 pound Buck it's been in the brine all night and just about time to fire up the smoker.I hope someone gets steelhawks slab today and has a report like yours or Hue-nuts to file at the end of the day,maybe it's C.G'S turn again,going through journal withdrawls. :( ;D
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worth the wait,eh.great report and con grats on your first,cheers.
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A fun read, congratulations and well done!
Not to poke any fun at you..but I couldn't help but laugh while reading your write up. I had images of Bill Murray in "Caddyshack" running through my head. LOL!...but you know you're really into what you're doing when you say "Thank You" to a fish. I've been fishing all my life..and I'm one of the lucky guys, as young as I am, who have handled a few lifetimes worth of fish already...with one caveat....I've never...and I repeat.. never said "Thank You" to a fish. ;)
Good work ....you're no longer a steelhead virgin!
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I'm going through journal withdrawls too :-\
Chris.... we need some reports, dont hold back ;D
Great read, congrats on the first, especially since not too many are being caught right now.
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congrats Fisherama looks like the jig you showed us at reaction... keep at it.... and keep fishing even after you get one.... ;D
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What FISHIN MAGICIAN you've never kissed a fish, or called out loud here fishy fishy fishy to a run that should be producing..I always thought it was a little weird how Garry Cooper would ask his guests to kiss the fish,and when they declined he'd ask the pretty ones to kiss him instead(the girls that is)I myself I usually steelhead alone by choice,and often talk out loud,saying things like are you really gonna wade this run,or what am I gonna do if I hook one here.A little nuts maybe,perhaps,but my point is what ever works for ya.Fisherama .has probably started a tradition of thanking the fish and if that works for him power to him.I liked the Caddyshack comparison though,hilarious cause sometimes I wished I had a little dynamite while fishing(kidding of course)The one thing I say to myself almost every time I go fishing is LIFE IS GOOD ;D
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What FISHIN MAGICIAN you've never kissed a fish, or called out loud here fishy fishy fishy to a run that should be producing
Thank god here I thought I was the only one. Word for word......"here fishy fishy fishy" hahahah
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Fisherama .has probably started a tradition of thanking the fish and if that works for him power to him.
Hey, my words were spoken out of unrestrained jubilation...not insanity :D ;D. Although if it works it works. I think I might start doing it more often.
Now to warn u, prepare to become a gear whore, spends tons of money on tackle, rods and reels, collect some of them, use the lame excuse of "they have sentimental value" so u dont give any of them up. And make the occasional skeen, terrace, thompson trip spending tons of money on gas and food and rooming just to hook a "fish"
I know exactly what you mean...I'm afraid it's already too late for me, my gear whoreness is already out of control. But I justify it by thinking that it's a healthy addiction. You could be wasting your cash on cigarettes. Or you could be wasting it all on weekends binge drinking. But if you smoke, binge drink and steelhead... then I hope you have a wealthy and understanding significant other.
congrats Fisherama looks like the jig you showed us at reaction... keep at it.... and keep fishing even after you get one.... ;D
Thanks again for tips, I'll be sure not to give up after just one next time :D I was just really pleased with myself and decided that regardless, it was a day to go down in the books.
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quote author=drh link=topic=20008.msg189831#msg189831 date=1235849735]
Excellent report, Congrats on your first landed Steel to you and Hue-nut .Don't be embarrassed about writing along winded report,we all love reading them ;).You've learned well grasshopper.Like Younggun says watch your spending,you could go broke on gear in these tough economic times,unless of course your a lottery winner or already rich.Thats a beauty doe man they are a beautiful species aren't they.I was so hoping to get out today myself,knowing that Steelhawk wouldn't be out, there would be one more available slab to be had ,I needed a break after a tiring work fish week.I was out Monday and released a nice wild doe mid river(a bit smaller than yours),and was out again Friday walking and fishing allot of water, got lucky about 11 a.m. and bonked a 9 pound Buck it's been in the brine all night and just about time to fire up the smoker.I hope someone gets steelhawks slab today and has a report like yours or Hue-nuts to file at the end of the day,maybe it's C.G'S turn again,going through journal withdrawls. :( ;D
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Drh, this is hilarious. But thanks for the humbling remaks about me and the fish with my name tag on it, haha. ;D That is news to me. I have my share of skunks like everybody else. But hey, make sure when you guys catch the fish, talk to it and ask if it has Steelhawk's tag on and make sure you release it hatchery or not. ;D ;D ;D
I will be fishing around here in Hong Kong & I may fiile a report if I catch something. I am not much of an expert on fishing locally here.
Nice report and great looking fish with excellent pics. Thanks to the Internet, we can still keep in touch in the virtual world and share the steelhead fever back home. Good luck guys. Tight line.
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quote author=drh link=topic=20008.msg189831#msg189831 date=1235849735]
Excellent report, Congrats on your first landed Steel to you and Hue-nut .Don't be embarrassed about writing along winded report,we all love reading them ;).You've learned well grasshopper.Like Younggun says watch your spending,you could go broke on gear in these tough economic times,unless of course your a lottery winner or already rich.Thats a beauty doe man they are a beautiful species aren't they.I was so hoping to get out today myself,knowing that Steelhawk wouldn't be out, there would be one more available slab to be had ,I needed a break after a tiring work fish week.I was out Monday and released a nice wild doe mid river(a bit smaller than yours),and was out again Friday walking and fishing allot of water, got lucky about 11 a.m. and bonked a 9 pound Buck it's been in the brine all night and just about time to fire up the smoker.I hope someone gets steelhawks slab today and has a report like yours or Hue-nuts to file at the end of the day,maybe it's C.G'S turn again,going through journal withdrawls. :( ;D
Drh, this is hilarious. But thanks for the humbling remaks about me and the fish with my name tag on it, haha. ;D That is news to me. I have my share of skunks like everybody else. But hey, make sure when you guys catch the fish, talk to it and ask if it has Steelhawk's tag on and make sure you release it hatchery or not. ;D ;D ;D
I will be fishing around here in Hong Kong & I may fiile a report if I catch something. I am not much of an expert on fishing locally here.
Nice report and great looking fish with excellent pics. Thanks to the Internet, we can still keep in touch in the virtual world and share the steelhead fever back home. Good luck guys. Tight line.
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if you come to indonesia give me a shout