Once I get in the habit of getting up early, especially in the steelhead season I just cannot not sleep in so today was no different. Besides I like to be able to report the river conditions the best I can for those that may wish to make a trip to the Vedder. I understand many have to drive a fair distance before they can make their first cast so I believe it helps to some degree. Of course with the on going clay bank slides the conditions can color up in a hurry if more clay falls in.
I am no hurry to get to the river so I get a bit of a late start and take the time to put coffee in my Maple Leaf travel mug before I make the 5 minute trip to the river. Daylight has broken when I head to the river and if there is any anglers fishing the run where I am heading I will go elsewhere. As I see the run is vacant I continue on and on the way I see 2 rods walk by it, heading to their hot spot I guess.
I put on some steelhead bait with the usual bit of pink wool, slip off my back pack and put the coffee mug down too; I am planning to make this a leisurely trip as well as a short one.
I work through the run once, twice, working the run carefully before stopping to finish off the now luke warm coffee. A run above has been vacant so I head for a few casts there too but like the starting run no bites so back downstream I go, starting at the head of the run once again.
I can see about 10 or 12 anglers in view, all intent of coaxing a steelhead to grab their offering, to give them the thrill of a lifetime, maybe with a 20 pound bit of chrome.
I still have the original piece of bait on looking a bit pale and worse for wear. As I near the tail out I am just thinking, should put on a pro cured cooked ghost shrimp when the Maple Leaf Drennan dips; I strike but do not a feel anything solid. Was it bottom? No, with the depth I am fishing it should not be, unless it is a bit of a cut off branch from a beaver or snag that had drifted into the run overnight. One never knows for sure though. A couple of cast later the same scenario, I check the bait, its looks like it is maybe pulled down some. Next cast down goes the MLD again, I solidly set the hook and the possible snag has now turned into a head shaking steelhead. Once this fish feels the resistance and restraining order of my sage rod off it goes. It feels strong and larger than the 4 others that have come to hand so far this year. Line peels quickly and smoothly off the drum of the well worn and roe covered Grice and Young reel bought by my dad in England in the 80’s.
It uses the current to its advantage and heads to the other side of the run maybe seeking a bit of a snag overhanging the bank so it can wrap around it and snap the 8 pound test leader. I wonder at times how they know where these obstacles are. I keep it under control and in the run for maybe 5 minutes. I am getting it close to shore but another run takes it below the tail out. I have no choice but to let it have its way keeping the tension as tight as I dare as it easily swims through the ripples. I see it whole body for the first time, defiantly the biggest I have tangled with this season, my spine tingles.
I know what lies below, a nice place to land the fish in, is the advantage now mine? Another angler who has been working this spot even before I reached the river pulls in his line. We chat as I continue playing the fish, “missed two here so far, need a hand” he says. No that’s OK I say. The fish is co operating at first to stay in this deeper bit of water but it is back and forth action for 3 or 4 minutes. I am gaining and bring the steelhead in close enough view to see it is a hatchery buck that I estimate to be close to 14. The fish now feels the gravel on its stomach, in the shallows of the one foot deep backwater area and takes off again, a couple of times. I start to wonder as it twists and turns if the bought barbless hook will hold and I think back to the posts ssab and Hook posted about this subject last night.
I know the fish is tiring and it once again tries to use the current to its advantage but I maybe apply more pressure than I should but a possible disaster lies below. A cut bank of sorts that could make a smooth landing difficult. I am testing the strength of the leader I know. My urging successfully does bring the fish up to the backwater area once again and I now easily slide the tired buck ashore, on the gradual slope reaching down to grab the wrist of the fish's tail, the steelhead now leaves the confines of the water.
With the license marked I am off to get a official weight at FCT and it comes in a bit over 13, I think it was 13.17 when converted from the metric scales to imperial measurement.
This ends an eventful week of steelhead fishing on the Vedder River with another week, another journal lays ahead, what it hold, who knows.
I do know how lucky we are to have such a great steelhead producing river practically at our doorsteps. Enjoy all what it all has to offer, to those that like to pursue this mighty sea going rainbow trout.
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Topic: Chilliwack River, February 1st 2009 (Read 6592 times)