actually... you make a good point FA
and no offense taken.
the stamp system is a maze of trails and for the guy who finds himself trekking around trying to find good water on foot.... you can spend a lot of time walking and not catching, because there is SO MUCH GOOD WATER. Numbers have thinned somewhat in the river over the past week or so and these fish seem to congregate in certain runs. We were unable to find a map that pin points certain runs and not wanting to impose on the guys we know that know the river, we decided to 'figure it out on our own". That said, we did not find those runs the fish were rumoured to be stacked in. Last time everyone was saying the slide was loaded with fish.... we never made it in there. This time, we found the trail into the slide and there was no fish... or very few fish holding in the run. Several regulars were pounding it as well and though we did see 2 caught.... we were confident when we left, that it just wasn't the spot that day.
For a guy new to the river, who thinks he's just going to drive over and go unguided and get into multiple fish in one day on foot.... that is just not the reality.... for most folks anyways. I think it will be a couple or more seasons and many walks on the river before I figure this one out and become consistant from shore.
We went to have a blast, and we did, I am not disapointed in the lack of success from shore, it's a beautiful river and fishing it was great, something i've wanted to do for a very long time.
the reality is though... if your plan is to fish the stamp and experience multiple steelhead in one day.... your best bet is to go guided one day and trek around the next. It is going to take me some time to know this river as well as the vedder or a few other local flows, but i'm all up for putting in the time and paying my dues. I'm sure there will be many more fishless treks down that river for every one that is a success.
but that... is steelheading now ain't it
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Topic: ISLAND TRIP # 2 (Read 4916 times)