I was quite disappointed that nobody took me up on my offer to drive people to the cleanup and do some fishing afterwards. I am sure after this report some of you will be kicking yourself pretty hard.
After hauling the garbage back to the Heron and a round of BS with the local boys, I headed off to the vicinity of the crossing to try my luck. A local member of the forum gave me some interesting and never before heard tips as to location and presentation, so off I went.
I wasn't fishing long when Mr. Local Knowledge showed up in his best combat attire and his weapon of choice, to check in on me and make sure that I was doing things right. After a few minor adjustments, we started casting into water I had always neglected before. Not long into the routine, this beautiful hatchery fish fell for the well-prepared and well-presented delicacy:
Mr. Local Knowledge was quick to point out that the coloration of the fish warranted its release, although there was no adipose fin on it. Of course, who am I to question Mr. Local Knowledge?
Besides, it was way too early in the day; I wasn't going to kill a coloured fish and end my fishing for the day anyway.
So I took a batch of underwater photos of the fish before releasing it, of which this one turned out the best:
Nice day!
The next hour brought a couple of hookups but nothing to write home about.
Given that the weather was making a sharp turn for the worse, Mr. Local knowledge decided to call it quits, so we went for a quick meal in the neighborhood and for some more friendly chat, as the rest of the afternoon I was going to be on my own. Mr. Local Knowledge and I shook hands and off I went into the unknown, braving the elements.
Fortunately, the weather would quickly improve soon afterwards.
I was surprised that there was literally nobody fishing in the chosen spot, so I tied on one of Mr. LK's secret creations and cast. Short drift and bang! float down. The ensuing headshakes indicated that a fish had taken the presentation. Alas, it wasn't going to stay on the hook. After a couple angry jumps, the chromer spat the hook and hid in the depth - never to be seen again.
Could there be another one?
I refreshed the terminal tackle and satisfied with how it looked, I placed another cast in the exact same spot. Again, the float went down. I applied a timely hookset and some 12-13 pounds of anger took off.
No,no no...you are not going anywhere...I applied just the right amount of pressure and got the fish under control.
Fumbling for the camera, I looked around to see if anyopne was around to help me take a pic...No luck.
The following picture is the best I could do while playing it:
And of course, the usual type of pic with the fish in the shallows - and my wading boot for size assessment:
A few more casts in the area produced nothing more, so off I went to some of my old haunts. Again, I was surprised that there was only one fisherman there. After exchanging pleasantries, we proceeded to fish our respective areas. With the weather becoming better and better by the minute, I decided to put on my old and trusted natural colour plastic worm, which I had fatefully prepared the night before.
I looked at the tailout of the run, and wondered if I should just cast there or maybe work the seam first. I decided to do the latter and it proved to be a fantastic decision! Not three seconds into the drift, a huge silver torpedo almost yanked the rod out of my hand and leaped out of the water in that oh-so-addictive steelhead manner.
Now this was one serious fish, probably the largest I have ever taken out of the Vedder. I decided to play it nice and take my time, fighting back the adrenalin that in excessive amount causes us to make costly mistakes.
As the fish started to tire out, I looked to the other angler ready to shout to him to help me with a photo op, but he was busy playing a fish himself!
Double header!
Even better!;D
Realizing my predicament and the fact that I was playing a LARGE wild fish which I didn't want to abuse in the rocky shallows, the fellow steelheader sped up his game and fairly quickly landed his nice hatchery, which he dispatched right away. Taking my camera from me, he took a picture of me with my trophy of the day (I know I know...I HAD to post a hero shot
):
And that was it for the day.
Three to the beach, one lost...the fishing goddess was generous to me today. That, and a bit of local knowledge which, incidentally, is only shared in person after the cleanups, made for my best day of the new season.
So next time I offer to take someone to clean the river and fish afterwards, maybe some of you will bite.
Till next time, tight lines,
Milo
Author
Topic: Chilliwack River, April 16th 2011 (Read 2016 times)