I braved the crowds today, and fished the upper-ish river. Parked and hiked, and found some mostly open water... a real nice piece that sat on the far side of some rapids caught my attention, so I geared up and as first light hit I started casting. It was one of those places that you're just SURE the fish have to stack at before they head through the rapids... looked perfect... but nothing. Not a touch. After about an hour, gave up that spot as some people had begun joining me.
Hiked farther upriver, and met a few nice anglers. One run in particular looked great, so I chatted with the guy that was fishing there. He said he'd hit a few jacks, and welcomed me to join him without my even having to ask! Manners DO still exist on the Vedder.
We fished together and I was shortly into a nice chrome jack. Knowing that my gf doesn't mind me going fishing quite as much if I bring something home to show for it, I bonked it - good decision, it was a red!
We kept fishing and hooked and played numerous more jacks. Almost all of them were still chrome. I kept one more - a whitey in coho-type shape, just beautiful. The other guy wanted to keep one but couldnt seem to land them. I guess he could tell I wanted to offer him one of mine, so he pre-emptively declined. Good sport. Eventually the sun peeked over the treeptops into our run, and the fishing stopped dead.
We could still see some fish rolling, but no takers.
I thanked the bloke for letting me fish the run with him, and gave him a spinner I'd had good luck with in the past on other rivers. I walked farther upriver and fished a few nice slots... had a nice sized ho chase my roe on the retrieve right to my feet... couldn't get him to come back, so switched to a spinner. Same thing, again chased but not taken.
Eventually I worked my way back downriver, talking to the people I'd met on the way up. No one had done exceptionally well, except one guy who claimed he had conservatively hooked 15 springs in one run.
I joined him, and soon saw why he was hooking so many springs - his leader was as long as my leg, and he was using WAY more float than he needed. Defintely dragging bottom, I'm sure he lined a number of his fish. I could be wrong, and if so good for him! I couldn't persuade any chinook to take my short-leadered offerings fishing alongside him.
After that, I packed up my two jacks and drove home. Came back to my apartment with dinner for the week, and a nice tan.
Great day on the water - I can't wait for Thursday... I've scheduled the day off work and will be heading back.
Anyone want to join me?
Tex
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Topic: Vedder Report Oct. 13 (Read 2789 times)