Made my first steelhead trip with a friend. A slow day at the lower river in the morning. Arrived at Lickman to check out the zoo & no one there (about 20+ guys) hooked a thing. Left in a hurry and went down all the way to check out other fishable water. Many good runs last year are now gone. On the Sardis side, not much good water (at the current water level) until train bridge run. The Yarrow side has some better spots but not many people fish them, why?
Every one seems to zero in at the Lickman Zoo as if it is the only spot to produce fish .
Fished a good size lower run with another guy on the other side. Strange no one around, but no fish also. Pound the run from top to bottom, roe, blade, jig, worm & what have u. No taker. Visibility is relatively good considering the clay slides - 2 to 3 ft. Anyway, on the way back, talk to guys who said two fish were taken above Lickman. Decided to move up and try cleaner water. Found a nice spot with riffle flow, and what do you know, my first hatch 11 lber for dinner in my first trip. Lucky me.
My friend also got a wild buck & we helped a brood-stock guy tube the fish. The steelies are there, go get them boys. Picture to follow.
Here are the pics:
Dinner Yummy!
The tubed buck