Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing Reports => Members' Fishing Reports => Topic started by: chris gadsden on December 12, 2011, 06:09:38 PM
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Hearing reports of the odd early run steelhead around I thought I would venture out for my first trip of the 2011 – 2012 season this afternoon. Of course living 5 minutes from the river is very helpful.
I left the house around 2 not sure where I should start but chose an area I had noticed a good looking spot for a steelhead when I was coho fishing.
I had pro cured some shrimp and also cut up a few 3 week old coho bait, into quarter sized pieces did not look that great but I was just planning on using the shrimp.
I started just below the Chum Run and worked a few runs before I arrived at the spot I mentioned above, it still looked good. I worked the spot for maybe 5 minutes and then the Maple Leaf DNE dipped, I was surprised to see it go down and more surprised I reacted in setting the hook as quickly as I did.
I make contact and for a split second I think I have a steelhead on as the head shake pulsates up the rod. I look for a flash bur all I do see as the fish surfaces is a fish with bars on it, a chum. My pulse that had quickened now returns to normal.
The fish does not stay on long and falls off fairly quickly but it did feel good to have a fish on, once again.
With no more chances I decide to explore some more spots further up river, it’s a pleasant day but a bit cool so a walk warms me up a bit. I observe more walkers on the trail than anglers as I only have seen 3 so far.
I guess I walk close to 1 KM up river but find only a couple of likely spots that could hold a fish.
It’s close to 3:15 now so I decide to head back down river again. On the way back I try 2 more spots and then I think I will pack it in as I know one has to be lucky to connect with a prized steelhead this early in the season. After 30 years I donot think I have ever caught one this early in the season, on the CV.
However I keep thinking about the spot where I had hooked the chum, should I try it again or not?
Sorry I have to go to badminton, stay tuned for what happened when I do return to, “The Early Run”
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Are you a time traveler now Chris? (check the date on your post)
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Hmmm. I see another doe was weighed in at Fred's...
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Congrats on the early fish :)
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Are you a time traveler now Chris? (check the date on your post)
Oops, must of been thinking of my dentist appointment tomorrow the 13th. :-[
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I don't know, it looks like a chum salmon to me... ;D
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Nice one Chris, great way to start the season ;D
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I don't know, it looks like a chum salmon to me... ;D
You stole the rest of my srory, well maybe tomorrow. :-\
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Congrats Chris! Better start then last year. ;D ;D
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With about 15 minutes of fishing time left I decide to try “The Early Run” once more. I am now fishing the old roe that had been in my bait box for at least 3 weeks, maybe longer.
I work the spot in the run where I had hooked the chum earlier, for a few minutes before I work towards the tail out
The seagulls are now heading in waves to their evening place of rest, Cultus Lake. I say to myself “time to go too, last cast”. We are having our badminton Christmas party so need to get home to get ready.
I make that cast to no avail but as I walk out of the run I observe a bit of a slot, right at the tail out, what the heck one more cast will not hurt.
As the ML DNE float drifts into the slot it dips a bit, that looked unnatural, it goes a couple of feet more and dips again. Most likely bottom but I strike, half heartily.
What’s this, I am feeling a head shake, another chum? No this fish feels strong and it is peeling line off my old Avon reel, heading into the fast water. Gosh maybe this is a steelhead, yes it is as it clears the water, with a tell tale steelhead leap.
It is now vacating the run; I have no chose but to let it go and follow it, stumbling over the rocks while at the same time trying to keep the line tight. Oops two snags below but I am able to keep the fish on my side of them, whew.
We have now reached the next run, a nice place to land the fish but my quarry is not tired yet, don’t rush it, I am now feeling the rush of having a steelhead on.
Next question, is it a hatchery. I have guided it closer to me 3 or 4 times but not close enough to see if it has an adipose or not. The fish tries to gain its freedom with another leap. I finally get it close onto the shallows to see it is free of that fin.
The fish makes a couple of more runs into the deeper water again, twisting and turning each time it feels the gravel on it’s stomach. Finally it tires after the 10 minute tussle and I slide it safely ashore.
I can hardly believe it, my first steelhead of the year, on my first trip and only after a couple of hours of fishing time. I certainly have received an early Christmas present.
I check my cell phone to get the correct date before marking my license also I have to phone Rodney to give him the good news.
Even though I had not yet entered the Wally Hall Jr Memorial Steelhead Derby I head to Fred’s Custom tackle to weigh in the bit of chrome. Chuck reads out the weight that is just under 10 pounds. Gosh if I would have entered the derby earlier I would have knocked Buck off the top rung.
Before I leave the store I now pay the $10 entry fee, thinking another of these wonderful game fish, maybe the derby winner will lurk, one day in “The Early Run.”
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nice read and fish, rod looks a bit dirty must be caught from the lower river ::)
early season fish always fight the best.
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congratulations for the "early Christmas present."
you deserved it!
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That's a beauty Chris! Congrats.
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I don't know, it looks like a chum salmon to me... ;D
Chris, don't show that picture to Alex ;D And what happened to your rod; looks like some form of leprosy ...
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Chris, don't show that picture to Alex ;D And what happened to your rod; looks like some form of leprosy ...
Keeps the ISA virus away. ;D
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Nice fish Chris, congrats!
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Woohoo! What a beauty, Chris, congrats on your first fish of the season. :) I hate the way you break up your story into multiple posts, but don't ever stop doing it that way, because I love it too. It keeps me on the edge of my seat! lol
Cheers.
:D
Tex
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Congrats Chris!!! Getting me excited!
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Nice going Chris. Just like your hockey team, off to a blistering start but now back to normal. ;D
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Good read Chris, and nice fish.
Always nice to get one early in the season to get the monkey off your back.
Hopefully you get a big one this year and win that kingfisher, looks like you could put it to good use. Or at least convince Dave to re cork your rod lol ;)
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Nice Ironhead Chris. Seem like the G&Y Avon Royal reel has quite bit battle scar. I have same reel brought brand new back in 1974 for $39.00.
Silex-user
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Nice going Chris. Just like your hockey team, off to a blistering start but now back to normal. ;D
;D ;D they have lost like what, five in a row.
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;D ;D they have lost like what, five in a row.
At least I am 1 for 1. ;D ;D
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Or at least convince Dave to re cork your rod lol ;)
Not sure if I enough rubber gloves for that job :D
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Congrats on the early steelhead Chris! 2 more days of blacktail hunting and I plan to be out there as well.
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Congrats Chris!
Any pics? :)
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Congrats Chris!
Any pics? :)
See above (Rod's post).
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Way to go Chris......nice early fish. Still on the Island but will treat you to our Sr's coffee on my return.Not sure when.
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Congrats Chris.
Whats the saying, "even a blind squirrel gets a nut once in awhile" ;D
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Nice to see some early fish, that being said this is killing me i cant get out till after new years >:(
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Congrats Chris.
Whats the saying, "even a blind squirrel gets a nut once in awhile" ;D
LMAO
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nice experience :D
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Awesome Chris... well done. But where did the pic go???
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Awesome Chris... well done. But where did the pic go???
page 1.
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wow, nice fish!! congrats. looks like i might have to get out really soon.
and by the way Rod, i didn't know that they were clipping chums??? ;D
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Congrats Chris.A fitting reward for someone who puts in their time.If you ever get tired of the remarks about the roe stains you can always do what I do,Sunlight and a light scrub with a green scrubber.Or just keep the character :D
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If you ever get tired of the remarks about the roe stains you can always do what I do,Sunlight and a light scrub with a green scrubber.Or just keep the character :D
I'm afraid he's going to leave it on my doorstop one night :D
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What a start to the Journal for this Steelhead season. ;D
IUf only them Leafs were as lucky. :o ;)