Enthused with seeing both Nick and Bederko taking a fish each yesterday as well with The Master and I each losing two the day before I was anxious to get out to the river today. As well I was on a mission to break my 0 for 6 record as I did not want to tie Steal_Mo_Head with his 0 for 7 stats.
Today I decided to ditch the roe bags as I has lost all 6 fish on them and went back to straight roe. When I reach the river at first light I see no one in the area I wanted to fish so I first try the run where Nick hit pay dirt yesterday. After a few casts with nothing to show for it I see another angler heading in my direction. Being a bit greedy
I head to another spot that has been producing lately as the other angler seems to be headed to it too. On my way I pass up a run where I lost the good sized fish on Tuesday, I will leave it for later. The other angler who turns out to be an angler I know fishes one side of the run and I the other. I work my side without success as does Doc on the other side, he tells me he broke one off there yesterday, thats why he wanted to fish it too.
After working the run for 10 minutes or so I decide to head to the run I mentioned that I had passed by a few minutes earlier.
I put on a fresh bait, chum roe before I make the first cast at the head of the run that is around 2 to 3 feet deep, a nice ripple look to it too. On the third cast the Maple Leaf Drennan that had remained top side all of yesterday goes for a deep swim. I set the hook and the pleasant feel of a head shake signals the start of the struggle, me and a steelhead. Of course my first thoughts will I lose this one too, I know one should not think like that as one should always have positive thoughts when out angling, be confident at all times. Next as the battle continues I am thinking I hope it is a wild for the brood stock program. I get my answer fairly quickly as the fish tires and nears the beach in under 5 minutes. As its back shows for the first time I see no adipose fin so as I slide it into the shallows I remove the hook and point the fish's head towards the river and it quickly disappears from my sight, ghost like.
Finally my losing streak has ended, I feel good. As well it is just a little after 8 so maybe I can find another steelhead.
I work the run for a bit more in case the 8 or 9 pound hen has a partner but if it had it was not biting. I fish a few more runs and as other anglers begin to arrive in the area I decide to go for a coffee break. I also notice the Chilliwack River Hatchery truck going by, picking up a wild fish some where along the system from a volunteer angler. On the way to the Leaf Mobile I met up with Dave who has the privilege of a ride back to his vehicle in the Leaf Mobile although he was a bit disturbed with all the equipment in the cab, I believe Dave said it was junk.
After coffee I stop at the Crossing and an angler who is just passing by said his 2 partners has gone home with a hatchery each, from up river a bit I believe he said.
I go to a different part of the river for the afternoon and have another chance at a fish of some sort, not once but 4 times but I donot make contact so it will not count against my losing average.
Of course one never knows if it is a steelhead, dolly, white fish or trout but it gave me another thrill for the outing.
I leave the run sitting undisturbed for 30 minutes and come back to see it will give me a fifth chance but it either has moved on or is now not interested, one never knows of course.
I meet up with some other anglers and get reports of fish taken in a lot of different spots but it appears most action is in the upper reaches. I also hear Pete the winner of the Boxing Day Derby took a 18 plus fish today and leads the Wally Hall Jr. Memorial Derby. He also has fish of 16.29, 14.51 and 14.31 fish entered, it now turning into a Peter Mac affair. Results are updated on Fred's Custom Tackle's web page. There is time to register if anyone wants to go after the $1000 top prize.
Its now close to 4, a full day of fishing on a beautiful Spring like day on the Vedder River now complete. I am please that after a month of no fish to the beach the streak is finally over and now hopefully I am on my way to a few more before the season is over. Maybe my success will continue tomorrow with a wild or two for the tube but one must not get to confident but nothing wrong with being positive.
See you on the river.
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Topic: Chilliwack River, January 21st 2010 (Read 2964 times)