So......Is it trout season or steelhead still?
We couldn't make up our minds but Capt. Super vest, Merc the little tail out bugger...and myself, guide to the stars...headed out for some trout...
We started on the upper...in snow flakes briefly...hitting some runs with the water level much lower then Thursday and clarity improved too...The run that produced 5 fish for myself and that little tail out grunt on Thursday looks no more as the water level had dropped...We run a few drifts through and Capt. Super vest hooks into what I believe is the smallest steelhead of the year...This one makes Freaks even look big!!!! But a steelhead is a steelhead so that was a good sign!!!
We fished our way up to some good water, ran into big T and chatted for awhile...always good to see and gab with him and his son out for a nice day on the river...Nothing happening for us up there but he had gotten a nice 13lb earlier...Decided that Capt. Super vest needed to pork up some so headed down to pointa vista for lunch with the twins...Food Ok, the twins...oh yeah...
Hit Ways field for a very brief fish...The owner drove out and told us this is private property and we are not allowed out there, Rick asked "Isn't the river everyones" and he replied "No, We own up to the trees on the other side and this whole section is going to be closed as private property and no one is allowed through on the shore lines...Hmmmm
So, we head down to another spot...Capt. Super vest heads up and I'm hoping the Tail out thief was going with him but NOOOOOooooooo....he followed me....Well, we get to a nice spot I've had my eye on since I got a couple out of there earlier before the last blow....We start fishing and there goes Mr. Tail out....I said, "Merc, stay in line and fish it down" But he made a couple clicking noises and a whistle...which I believe is a rude word in his language...and walked by me....Couple casts and Bam!!! Fish ON..... bass turd....nice little fight and R2D2 has landed his first Hatchery of the year....Not bad, 3 fish landed in two trips this week....(Anyone want some advice on catching steelhead, talk to him).... Capt Super vest is fishing another run but gets the shout to come on down....Rick admires Mercs handy work and looks at me and Does another Merc...WHile Laughing at poor old Mr. Guide..... Few casts later....BAM....A really nice fat hatchery doe...put up a spirited fight for the one handed bandit with the bowling glove....and he's boinked his first hatchery of the year as well....
Merc, trying to look all cool with my....ahem...HIS fish!!!
I gotta admit...though I hate too....It was good to see and they were behind me praying to Buddha that we could pull off the tri vecta..... Unfortunately...the wind started howling curses down on yours truly...and all I managed was multiple hook ups with the bottom and nothing else...On the ride home...Tail out thief was repeatably telling all who would listen that he knew that after the first one was landed the rest would come in bushels...
I hate him now...
I didn't get a chance to get a shot of Ricks second fish...but Merc will post a pic or two later...I can say it was big enough to poop the first fish he caught though....Ok, that's all I can think of....I love seeing my brothers into fish....but hate being the leper!!! Should have brought the fly rod...at least then I would of had an excuse...