I've been fishing the Northern Tribs quite hard for for the last month and a half, and to be honest, getting a little bit tired of Salmon season. Beginning to feel the itch for Steelhead. My fishing buddy calls me up and lets me know that he has Monday the 22nd off, and why don't we hit the Thompson with our pins? I've never been, so I'm keen to check it out. I end up spending sunday night getting my gear ready while watching Pulp Fiction. Tie up some egg sucking leaches and "nightmare" jigs, as well as roe bags. I am stoked to go while trying to put the notion of hooking up with a legendary Thompson fish out of my mind. Hit the sack at 1:30 am. Alarm goes off at 3:45
, brew up coffee, grab the gear, pick up Jesse, and roll out to the big river!
We pull into Spences Bridge at about 6:45, and make our way to the spot that Jesse suggests we start. No cars here so that is good cause we'll get first water, three trains scream by as we get ready and make our way along the tracks down to the spot. Now if you have never fished this river, let me tell you it is F ing huge!
Big overwhelming water, not for the faint of heart. As I get my rod ready I put that notion of hooking one of these fish even further back in my mind, "there is no way, not today, I just cannot see it happening" I think to myself.
We start working the run, really nice water for float fishing, but just massive. I fish roe bags, then prawns, then switch to the jigs. Beautiful looking black leaches with black uv chenille collar and a 1/4 oz peach Aero Jig head. Jesse misses two hits and lands a rainbow, I now am thinking "man I'd be happy with a nice bow or two for the day, just want to see that float go down".
Switching spots I take first water and keep working the run. Some spey guy poaches the bottom of the run Vedder style, but then again he probably thought we had no business on the river with pins
There is still room to work the last of the good water, so we don't get too frustrated. I've been drifting through a fishy looking slick for about 45 minutes (that's how long is was!) When at the end of my drift, the 35g Cleardrift disappears.....I reef back and pick up as much line as I can but it is a super long hook set, I feel a small tug...reel up again and go for another hookset...."HOLY S**t!!!!!!!" I yell to Jesse, this fish feels like a big spring! The fight is unbelievable, I play this fish down about 100 feet or so, finally bringing it in for a look, and like a spring it is, dwarfing my largest 18# Steelhead to date. We figured definitely over 20, maybe 22 or so. Jesse is in the water trying to tail it but can only get his hand half way around the tail. I try to tail it for a picture and the fish bolts through my legs, breaking my mainline which had wrapped around my leg.
I am stoked!
We break at the coffee shop, which everyone should hit and drop some coin at. Great little place with decent coffee. Refreshed we head back out.
Next run we hit looks mint. Jesse gets first water the rest of the day. We are alone again with one lonely spey guy on the other side of the river. We get a few exciting drains with small rainbows on the other end but nothing in the way of Steelhead. About 2 hours into this run I see my float disappear at the end of the drift. Hook Set! Fish on! Another beautiful Steely goes apesh*t on me. Racing out to the middle of the run and back again, I play this fish about 75 yards down river, and bring her in for a couple pics. Gorgeous chrome doe
I was speechless.
We fished till dark. I hooked one more but popped off within a few seconds. Hit the road with a very memorable day tucked away in my mind. Can't stop thinking about it. Want to go back but am trying to put away the notion that I'll ever be that lucky on that river again.
I could care less if I get another Ho this year, I am ready for the Steelie season!!
First fish of the day
Second fish of the day
Release
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Topic: Thompson Steelie Action November 22, 2009 (Read 2056 times)