A warm Monday evening to all members and guests from across the globe to The Journal on FWR, your top fishing web page in Canada for fishing information, tips, videos, discussion on environmental issues, tall tails and much more.
Well talking about warm, the last week of February for 2008 starts today and by the look of things Spring is just around the corner as temperatures have moved into double figures the last few days, here in the Fraser Valley anyway.
I am in no rush this morning as where I have been fishing has seen very few anglers, during the week anyway. Most seem to be working the Vedder Canal area during this period of low water the last while. Many think they are holding up there, that could be but I feel fish are on the move all the time.
I take a side trip on the way to the river along the Vedder Canal just as dawn is starting to break and the boys are already working their runs while others are just getting ready to do so. I scoop up a few beer tins along the dyke road, left over from some late weekend partiers. Each tin (worth 10 cents) makes up for the jump in each litre of gas one has to buy these days.
I finally reach the river and see 3 anglers working the area I like to fish so I head to another run that is vacant, I have only hit one fish there but others have taken some, it can produce, one never knows, thats the fun part.
It is a wonderful morning to be fishing I think as I walk from the Leaf Mobile to the chosen starting run. The rising sun is starting to reflect off Mt. Cheam and Lady Peak, still cloaked in their Winter blanket of snow. How lucky we are, those that is that like to enjoy the outdoors we all treasure so much but we must work hard to preserve it as many do not. They are more interested in loading up their bank accounts at nature's expense, I guess some may have not been taught the value of nature, its priceless to those that frequent it.
I am feeling fairly confident these days as I have been having some success of late including some good sized fish. As well I was fortunate in connecting with two last Monday, both released for some other angler to enjoy, one on Tuesday which I retained and then released another on Friday. All these 4 fish were hatchery stock. My total, which I know is not really important as just getting out is, was sitting at 10 landed out of 15 that were firmly hooked.
As I walk to the run I remind myself never to get too cocky at this fishing game as my dad always told me, "son, when you think you have it mastered you will quickly find out you have not, be humble".
As I reach the run I slip on some slightly colored pro cured steelhead roe from last weeks hen. I have been finding it to be working well and have not been using shrimp or roe bags the last while.
I take my time working the run but even though the water looks so fishy I come up empty in it, again. I see Gwyn coming up from below and we meet up at the next run, he like I has found nothing but he said he thought he missed one.
He says he is going to a spot up river, should I go I think too but I decide to continue to work the area. Gwyn hands me the river found wading staff he had been using as we bid adieu.
I reach the other side of the river and throw the wading staff onto the bar, for the trip back later.
I quickly work the 3 runs before I reach the fourth, the last one I am going to fish as there is some anglers settled in the spots below me. I took a fish at this spot last week so as they say if you get a fish at a certain spot there is a good chance another will be there in the future too.
I start fishing the run with the first casts in close, then further out each time trying to remember to work every nook and cranny of where that iron could be comfortably sitting, secure under the good covering water.
After maybe 8 cast or so the next line of the drift is close to the far side of the run.The Maple Leaf Drennan nearly hits the far shore but it settles short by a few inches, into the four feet or so of water and begins its downward watery journey. It goes a few feet then dives, I strike but nothing, bait still there but looks a little worse for wear, should I change it I think, no lets try one more cast as the wool and pale looking roe may still temp this hopefully eager fish, for a second time.
Next cast same as the one previous, same line of approach, at the same spot the red topped MLD dips once again, I strike and are rewarded by the thrill of the first sign of a fish, a firm head shake.
The fish now explodes out of run heading down but then decides to try to head under some snags, I ease it as much as I dare, away from these obstacle and thankfully I am successful not once but twice.
I see two anglers watching from the far shore, they quickly disappear from view, I chuckle to myself as I know they will be heading my way, have you ever seen that happen before.
The fish is now tiring and I see its back now appear, no adipose visible, looks around 12 or so, I decide to retain, that is if I can get her to the beach. I draw her near but she does not like the gravel rubbing on her silver white belly and heads out and down stream. Another minute of the battle, me against her. As she once again nears the shore she thrashes trying to throw the #1 Gammy. Sometimes I feel a bit sorry in what I am doing but as I said before our inner senses takes charge as it has for centuries, to bring home food to our waiting families.
I know people that are strictly catch and realease will challenge this statement especially in our modern society where you can get your food at the closest super market but who wants farmed raised fish.
I guess it comes down ones opinion and we should respect each other.
I win the tussle and another fresh run steelhead is in hand. I notice the previously mentioned anglers are now opposite me with one working the same run hoping there may be another there.
I mark my license and head back to the Leaf Mobile pleased with another opportunity to tangle with this wonderful game fish.
I grab the wading staff I had thrown on my first trip across and start to re cross the river, I go about 10 feet and crack the wading staff breaks in half. I stumble but luckily I gain my balance while at the same time I am able to hang onto the fish and my rod, both in my left hand. I feel lucky to escape an icy dip and make my crossing with a now 2 to 3 foot wading staff. I guess it cracked when I threw it on the rocks, will be more careful next time.
I take my catch to Fred's Custom Tackle to weigh it and it tips the scales at a shade under 13 pounds.
I meet up with Gwyn for coffee who after we parted had ended up losing one.
I then get a call from The Master to go for breakfast and I hear all about a ice fishing trip he made to Merritt over the weekend to film a segment for the local Shaw TV station. Of course I am happy to share my story too, of landing my 11th steelhead of the season.
I think I am getting the hang of this steelhead thing, but, "
son, when you think you have it mastered you will quickly find out you have not, be humble.Your right dad, I will remember that.
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Topic: Monday Steelhead Action On The Vedder, The Journal For Feb. 25 (Read 5722 times)