Headed off to the stamp on the 27th for two days with wintersteel. We planed to hike the river on the first day and go with a guide in a jet boat on day 2. this was our 5th annual trip so we knew what to expect. (lots of fish) On day one we hooked 7 steelhead, some were summer run fish mending really well and hungry. We hooked 3-4 winter run chrome beauties that day but anyone who has fished the Stamp will know how hard it can be to land a fish without a boat there, There are often no places to play and land a strong fish. So none where landed.
On day two fishing with our guide Rolly, as we were getting into our boat there were two young guys getting into the next boat, I noticed one guy looked familiar. so I said "hey are you Coho Cody" He was surprised and said "yes" I said "I'm Bugpumper" Small world!! He was out with a buddy on his 2nd yearly trip. Hope it went well.
My day started slow but Wintersteel hooked two fish quickly and then got and kept a nice fresh winter. Finally I dialed in and got a chrome winter fish that I kept, and quickly hooked two after that that got off after a battle. After noon W.S. got his 2nd fish and broke down his rod so the pressure was on me to finish with my 2nd fish. We were drifting down the Stamp getting near the confluence with the Somas checking out every possible holding spot. it looked like we were going to run out of time when W.S. Who was just relaxing and enjoying the view says "hey, I see a fish!" it was coming up river just 10 ft from the boat, not caring at all about that noisy jet motor!
I couldn't see it but cast in the direction Rob was looking anyway. He said "too far" so i pulled it back and both he and Rolly watched the fish move right to the bait and swallow it! Fish on!! Landed that and headed in to shore.
Great day!
Video's on youtube at stamp trip.09 bugpumper.