Opening Day
May 2, 2013
Opening day of trout season was this past weekend. I somehow over-looked it, damn.
Mexico got in the way…
See you this summer…
Rich
38 Special
April 7, 2013
Winter steelhead fishing, it’s a strange game we play. Take a tough fish to catch and make it even tougher. When the odds are stacked against you, pushing it until that line tightens up. The rewards can be simply put…
John Rickard and his first Umpqua steelhead, 38″
John booked this day with me and brought along Chuck Volckhausen of wildwatersflyfishing.com John watched Chuck go 2 for 2, knowing John hadn’t touched an Umpqua fish before…I was putting him in the buckets, ” I just want it too bad” John says. ” Naw, she’s just making you work for it”, I’m thinking, then John sticks this guy, not bad.
Another healthy 38″ buck to end my season.
Just a couple of reasons to chase winter steelhead.
Hope everyone had as good a season as I did, many thanks to all that fished with me, see you this summer!
Rich & Bo
Going Coastal
January 14, 2013
Confidence
The happy, warm, fuzzy days of summer are gone, as are the free rising steelhead. It’s time to get dirty, creepy and anti-social. Lying to friends and family about your whereabouts, listening to Tool, wading nips deep on your tip-toes to reach that pocket above a class 4 you just know there’s one in, mobbing down a cliff on the off chance there may be one living in that tail-out, T-20, XL lead eyes, 6 inch long flies. Yup, the good stuff.
The hard won reward, a wild, ocean bright hen.
Winter fish don’t come easy, you’ve got to be dedicated and willing to put in the time. Getting the skunk is inevitable, it’s gonna happen, don’t let that stop you. With the coastal rivers constantly in flux, time on the water is the key to winter success, learning where the fish hold at different flows is crucial. Winter waters hold their secrets tightly and so should you.
Podcast
Dancing pines and the light that shines.
Wading and fishing a wild coastal river is as good as it gets for me. The beauty of both the rivers and fish that return to them are unbeatable. These are special places.
Just a beauty. Many jumps and a take like she took it running down stream. Which upon landing her, saw that she actually did.
Eating good is another key.
How many times have you bought this beer while fishing for them?
Wild tail, the best kind.
One of the handsomest bucks I’ve seen in a while. Love the lack of spotting, maybe the hen-fish will too.
Not too many of these around right now.
One of the best lines I’ve heard from a gear guy in a long time, it’s a long story and I don’t feel like finger punching the whole thing, ” I saw you was a fly guy and I thought, man, are we gonna have to kick sum’s ass right now?” He also spouted off this gem, ” Not all the steelheads in this river are ocean run, there sum that are indiggness or sumpin, natives I dunno…” Just know he was a good dude and one you’d want on your side.
Another beautiful, jumping and running wild hen, I’ve seen more hens this year than bucks, I ain’t complaining.
Twilight sky.
Who’s been a good boy? You know he has.
Letting go…
Go fishing with high hopes and no expectations…
Be good,
Rich & Bo
It’s the cheese
November 11, 2012
The days are growing shorter, as is the fall steelhead season. Soon, we’ll be chomping at the bit for the first push of fresh winters. But until then, there are still plenty of opportunities at the last of the fall “freshies”.
September sunset
The best week of the year, the “fly girls”…
“The Queen” Anna-Lena with a better than nice Rogue hen.
Sandra with a great Rogue buck. Yes, she is wearing the “pearls”.
It’s had to believe another guide season has come and gone for me. Where have the years gone? I remember my very first guide day 8 years ago, I was a scared young kid and we didn’t catch a thing. Much has changed since that first guide day, and so much has been learned.
The North Umpqua saw a great return this year, not sure what the actual count was but, the fishing showed that it was strong. Looking back, we typically saw multiple fish each day, of course there were some tough days in there to keep you humble. Some great fish were landed and some epic fish were lost…
“Big Dave” with a good one.
After several hooked and lost, Brady Johnstone finally gets one to the beach.
Vincent Novits with his first North Umpqua steelhead, Vincent lost one of those epic fish the evening before, a fish that just crushed the fly and “tore the river up”.
The smartest frog on the planet.
A Rogue morning.
After a solid morning, my clients asked to watch me fish a run. I asked if they were sure, because I was pretty certain there’d be a fish in this run. Of course when I told them that, they said I had to prove it. There was a fish in there…
Brian Walker with a prehistoric creature that absolutely crushed an intruder.
It has been a little hectic the past month, a lot of travel from the North, Rogue, Trinity and the often overlooked Klamath. Dad, if you are reading this, yes I’m keeping the oil changed in the truck.
Richard Quan and a Klamath “gator”
Steve McKenzie with a pretty hen.
The sweet Trinity…
The Trinity has been a sweetheart. I think the Klamath/Trinity have the grabbiest steelhead on the planet. While any day spent on the river is special, the Trinity is especially for me. I just connect with the Trinity, can’t really explain it better. It’s kinda funny, and my clients can attest to it, when the fly is coming across through the goods, “right there, right THERE!”. That phrase comes out of my mouth without even thinking about it, sometimes with an arm motion of a steelhead turning on the fly, I dunno, I’m a little crazy about this. I do this on every river I guide but, on the Trinity, the fish make me look pretty good, ha.
Bent
Late October on the North
Arturo Budnik, back from Chile, with a pretty wild hen that ripped. Probably one of the coolest fish of the year for me, she came out of water less than a foot deep. This was 1 of 11 Arturo saw to his fly in 2 days. “It’s the cheese”, Arturo Budnik.
Many thanks to everyone that came fishing this summer.
Rich & Bo
The Blur
August 17, 2012
The blur, is when the days seem to run together, running around like a chicken that recently had its neck chopped. Getting up far too early and going to bed way too late. While no two days are the same, with a schedule of eat, sleep, fish, they tend to blur into one.
A sight that never seems to get old, sunrise.
Honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for anything, truth.
Jim Ansite with what fills our thoughts, a perfect wild hen that just “went”.
The river has shown us some exceptional days as well as days where we work our a$$es off for that one rise. What you do with that rise is up to you, let him eat it and enjoy the thrills of what make steelhead the greatest gamefish or jerk-it away from him and hang your head in shame, it’s your decision, I’ve been there too, trust me.
Fourth times a charm, after going 0 for 3, Victor Yee finally makes my day and gets one to hand!
Just running a fly through water like this is satisfying.
Always a good time with Rick Knapp, his first North Umpqua summer steelhead. And no, he’s not coming for your goat, ha.
Arturo Budnik from Chile with his first steelhead ever. The fishing was tough this day. Close to last light, I had my head down, thinking it just wasn’t gonna happen, as much as I wanted to show Arturo a fish. It was just one of those days the North throws at you sometimes. With my head down, the reel started clicking out, “Arturo’s just pulling line for the next cast”, I thought. The reel continues to scream, I look up to see the line diving across the river, “LIFT! LIFT!” I yell. Arturo stares at me blankly, I lift the rod and put the hook home. Arturo who doesn’t speak good english, on the ride back to the Dogwood,” I never heard “Lift” before, took me while comprehend, hahahaha!!”. Goodtimes!
“Sweep the leg” Chris Marto having a good time, what it’s all about.
The most genuine hand shake, every North fish landed gets a shake but, your first, and on a dry, definitely is the best. Mike Ivy with a smile after his first.
The moment I enjoy the most, getting to hold and admire one for a second. Mike Ivy’s first!
Craig Neilson, head guide/owner of http://www.shastatrout.com with a bright buck that must of jumped 6 times. The best part for me at least, was watching this buck come for the fly, being perched in a tree I saw everything. The fish chased the dry down, turned away and then turn back around and rushed it with an explosive take.
Eric White with a “sunfish”, they always seem a bit brighter and hotter when taken in the sun. Congrats Eric!
Shaun Britt with an impressive buck, this is the one you fish for all summer. Probably 4 epic cartwheels, backing and the threat of leaving the pool, oh yeah, and the “oh shit” factor the entire fight. This was 1 of 6 we saw that day! Sometimes you step into the right spots at the right time.
Sunset, another sight that never gets old.
It’s a rare case these days when you’re surprised when you catch a hatchery fish. There’s not many places in the states like the North, probably the only one. Let’s keep it that way.
Rich & that black dog named Bo who wants to eat your fish.
Tiger Lilies
June 28, 2012
So, there is an old Indian saying,”when the Dogwoods are in bloom, the salmon are in”. Tiger lilies hold the same for me, as far as steelhead are concerned, while definetiley not “in” there are usually one or two in the river. Been getting after it somewhat, it’s nice to not feel the rush to be on the water at the break of dawn. Been catching up on sleep quite frankly. This time of year it truly doesn’t matter, the matter is finding one. If you find one, it’ll eat anything really, as long as it’s presented right. Most of the fish I see in the early season are with sun on the water, cause that’s when I’m there probably.
Perfect
The days are long, and getting warmer and the river is dropping into decent shape. I’m anxious to stand in the dark and watch the sun rise with a heavy anticipation for what’s gonna happen throughout the day. Nobody truly knows how the run will shape up but, it hasn’t been bad so far.
Bill Sturgeon with his first steelhead, “goodnight” is all he could say.
Talked Bill into giving steelheading a try for a couple of runs, he booked a trout day. Like myself, Bill hooked an amazing fish in the first run he fished. While teaching Bill the basics of spey casting, the question came up, “How will I know if a fish bites the fly, and what do I do?”. I answered, ” You’re gonna know, and don’t do a thing.” This fish hit the fly as if he swam upstream 30 feet, turned around, got a good head esteem and took the fly running, he only jumped over our heads like six times, left the pool and then another one, incredible. We were lucky to land it. The trout fishing wasn’t bad either.
Sometimes I get lucky too, and no my hair isn’t thinning, bad light, ha.
Rich & Bo
New Site
June 4, 2012
Well, it took me long enough but, I’ve finally got a website.
Check it out http://www.steelheadwater.com
So, there are very few fish around right now. I’ve been lucky enough to get in touch with a couple of un-landables. But, after spending the last few months doing yard work, planting a garden and tying flies, it felt good to be on the water again. My casting sucked, as it usually does in the beginning. The smells on the rivers now are intense and it’s nice having the water to yourself, no sensible angler would be plying the waters for steelhead. I’m just not a sensible guy when it comes to steelhead, like in Dumb and Dumber, “So you’re saying there’s a chance!”.
.
Dry as a bone and hard as a rock from the off season. Laces are pretty sweet too, eh?
There is a empty feeling in my stomach and also a sigh of relief and renewal. For me, my winter steelhead season has come to an end.
The goods, in both water and scenery.
Exciting, taxing, heart-stopping, scary at times, humbling and most of all rewarding are just a few words to describe the past few months.
"Proof, the sun does shine on a dogs ass now and again", Rick Knapp with a 41' x 21' buck.
I’d just got done telling Rick what I wanted, a big hen, 14 or 16lbs would be nice. Next cast, the skagit dives, “there’s one” he says, not a hen but, hardly a disappointment.
Kelsey and her first steelhead, not a bad grip with hot pink polish.
Kelsey and Dean worked hard through the high water we suffered, 3 days for one lost fish. The fourth day was just about perfect, 3 for 3 ain’t so bad.
Heart-warming steelhead, Dean Mades with a stunning sea-liced 33' hen,....perfect
We saw many different water conditions this year, as always. But we saw a lot more low and clear on the coast than usual, which made for tough fishing at times. Even in near perfect conditions we saw some tough fishing, that’s winter steelheading, nothing good comes easy, nor it should anyways.
Wishing well
Nuff said...
Pete Laskier with a clear-finned hen, 1 of 2 landed outta 3 hooked in 1 run, "The Dude Abides".
A dusting
A fine evening.
Jed Fiebelkorn admiring a handsome buck, keep an eye out this fall on the Sportsman Channel for Trout Unlimited's "On The Rise" program.
It has been a hell of a ride and I’m already looking forward to next year and what it’ll bring, hopefully more of the same.
The one...
Thanks to all who came fishing with me this winter.
Rich
It ain’t been easy
February 13, 2012
This winter has seen its ups and downs, along with the flows. We’re at the mercy of the weather and the fishing is the same. If the rivers come up, it’s good on the drop. When the river’s stay low, the fishing gets tough. I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know but, we’ve had a very strange weather pattern so far this year.
First of the year, taken in early January
Like every winter season, no matter what mother nature throws at me, I live for this. There is no pull like a coastal winter fish. When it’s right, it’s right and you know it, feel it, breathe it. Every fish tailed is a feat on both halves. Getting tail-whipped as they swim away is as sweet as… well you know…
Good high-water spot
If you have yet to fish for these fish with the hint of the salty ocean coming in on the afternoon breeze, or have driven along the coastline imagining the fish nosing into its rivers scent, you’ve yet to truly fish for them.
A nice hen
Not marinated in awesomeness, only soul...
So, things will change, the rivers will rise again and fall, same ol’story . Be there when it’s right, if not, know where they’ll be livin’.
Gator
Good eats
Chromeo Perez
River’s are full of secrets, you’ll never know one fully.
A hatch-fish taken for the smoker but, notice the girth expansion, def. of squatty-body.
Cheers,
Rich & Bo
In the end…
November 14, 2011
Another season has quickly faded away. They seem to fly by these days. On the North Umpqua we again had another wet spring and high-water in Steamboat Creek through June, which allowed our fish to jettison the main river to their home water, where they want/need to be. Good or bad, depends on how you look at it. For me…. as angler, that’s fine and good, for me… as a guide, eh, it is what it is. It’s a double-edged sword, lot’s a fish can bring lots of people, not so many fish and bad reports mean, fewer but less pressured fish.
Purple flies still catch steelhead, who knew?
Sandra Scandibar of the “fly girls” with a “little hen”(her words, small in comparison to the sea-run browns she’s been catching in TDF). This “little hen” I think gave her more than a sea-run brown woulda in the same size. Bad pic I know, maybe one of the only bad things to say about I-phones, gotta put the girls up, best week of the year no matter the fishing.
Beth Brunswick with a nice Rogue fish
The Rogue fished well at times, other times, well, just typical steelheading, put in your time and you’ll run across 1 or 2, sometimes none, sometimes more. With Gold-Ray dam out though, the fish seemed a bit hotter, maybe the days spent trying to navigate the dam really took a toll on them?, I dunno.
With my first season of guiding on the Trinity pretty much done, I have to say it was so much fun to be guiding down there. While the fish of the Trinity may not be of North Umpqua size, they have the heart and soul of them. One of the coolest rivers on the planet, yes in California. The Trinity in my opinion offers the best chance at a steelhead on the dry you’ll ever come across. The majority of our days down there we saw multiple fish to the fly each day. It’s an exciting, wild place to fish, full of anticipation.
Charles Gehr with his and Skeena's first Trinity steelhead.
It was this good at times...
A good one.
A Rogue riffle where every cast could reward with the grab.
Thought the Rogue was a nymphing river.
With my summer season done my mind begins to drift west, to the coast. I bit early I know, I tell myself that ever year but, you never know, right place, right time…
A short of shorts of sort of some video clips:
Many thanks to all who fished with me this summer/fall,
Rich
