Sorry to break your heart Fish my friend. but #850 came as I said it would.
Well the day started off bright and early. Rolled out of bed at 4:30 and hit the road shortly after reading the forums. Arrived at the parking lot I was planning to fish just after 6 and got all my gear ready. Thinking I was going to be the first one there I was in no rush but turns out I followed another angler to the run I wanted to fish first. Once getting there he introcuduced himself and is no other then "fisherforever" on the board. Then later on came stryker. Was a pleasure to meet you both. More and more anglers starting showing up as it got closer to sunrise even including Chris. I saw a light on below at the broken rod run and it was Chris filming the same angler whos rod exploded the other day with another fish on. Which he later lost.
Started off with a roe bag and covered all different angles of the run to no avail.
Chris wandered down to the broken rod run after the gent who lost the fish left and within a couple casts was into a fish which I'm sure he will fill you in about later on.
It was allready mid morning and I just recieve a call from my friend Carlo who notified me of a 7-8lbs Wild he just released mid river. Chris took off and I fished a little while longer with no signs of any fish. I called Carlo back and he told me he went higher up so I was going to meet and fish with him and his Dad.
I saw them working their way down river and had no luck. I knew in this water I doubt I would have the chance at catching any fish so suggested we go near the crossing. And I'm glad we did.
On the way down there was a road block with 3 Conservation Officers. Was quite impressed to see them out. I often wonder why they are nowhere to be seen during Salmon season.
I get told to pull over. First I am asked for my license and if I have caught anything. I say no. The CO then asks for my birthday and last name to make sure my license matches. Then he decides hes gonna search my car and makes me pop my trunk. I do and once opening the trunk they move around my spare tire and see a small white bag, ask what's in it. I say "Wild Steelhead" the bag was all of about 10" big and he didnt seem to find it funny.
Then he wants to see my vest and the hook on my rod. Of course there is nothing wrong there and I am given the ok to leave.
Once reaching the new run my buddy Carlo says "Ahh theres no fish in there." I make a good effort to prove him wrong and am just about ready to move on when the float is buried and a estimated 13/14lbs male Steelhead thrashes its way through the run. I have no way of gaining any line and before I know it my 8lbs Maxima is sliced like butter with the drennan flying in the sky. I retie quickly and throw out the same bait as before(roe bag) into the middle of the run. It's not very long before the float is buried again and I have another Steelhead on.
A solid hookset made me sure I was not going to lose this scrappy fish. As I manoever it around a bunch of snags the fish jumps close to 7 or 8 times before it surrenders itself after the 10 minute battle. We see it is a Wild buck so quickly grabd the camera for a picture and send it back on it's way.
I was shaking after that fish and felt good to get the first of the year finally out of the way.
I notice my roe bag is smashed so slide on a new one. Within another 2 or 3 casts, float is buried, pops back up then is going upriver. FISH ON!!!! again. That's 3 Steelhead in a matter of 20 minutes.
This fish didnt last long though as it shot upriver and peeled line it quickly spat the hook.
Fished a little while longer and it became obvious I cleaned out that hole.
The rain then started and I headed back to where I was at first light and did not see any other anglers around. Fished for a 1/2 hour more with no luck and packed it in. What a great day to be out.
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Topic: The Slump Has Crashed And Burned, Vedder January 21st (Read 5045 times)