Here fishy, fishy

How to describe the past few months? That’s a hard thing to do. The river was, well, consistently inconsistent. Most days we got our shot but we had to work hard for them, something we are definitely used to on the North as they never come easy and that’s what makes them so special. I’m searching my brain for the right word to describe it, I’ll figure it out eventually. Stay tuned.

The beauty of this place never takes a day off.

It’s coming.

Chop on top

In a year with not as many fish around (and just as many anglers) and tough conditions, you had to be on top of your game and as stealthy as possible. Metal wading staffs were turned away (who thought that was a good idea anyway), not just “right” presentations were called to “bring it back” more so than usual, ha, crouching approaches, different casting positions and angles, etc, etc.

More like this guy.

John Luis with a cracker of a hen. John is from the old guard on the “Lost Coast” and had taken 10yrs off from steelheading. You couldn’t ask for a better comeback fish than this girl, well deserved John.

Steve Bury with his second on the dry. On only his second steelhead trip ever, the man has got the soul most wish they had.

Notice the uncanny resemblance of this fishes face to that inked on Steve’s forearm.

You also had to move, faster, move faster, take your steps, “naw, gimme one more step…” “more line….a lil’more” Cover the water and cover as much as you can in a day, in the best of light.

Tightening up

Coolest bird on the river.

Extraterrestrials

What?, yeah! Jim Ansite with a dandy chinook.

As with all good things, mostly they’re are stumbled across. Not sure if this will last season to season but they were biting this year. While only landing a few, we hooked many. Talk about pull.  “There ain’t no nook”, yeah I’m not saying that.

Brady Johnstone with another. This guy had an adipose the size of my fist, what an animal.

Chris Marto, dealing with the feeling that comes after landing a steelhead that completely goes airborne for your fly. The guy gets it.

The image of Marto’s fish etched in my memory and journal.

Morning glory strikes again.

This brief moment.

David Katz, nothing like your first on the dry and spey!

A wet, cool August day, sound good? Brady with a beauty.

Never a day off.

Steelheading.

Perseverance, knowing you’re going to hook one in every run and fishing it that way. A random, “here fishy fishy” ain’t gonna cut it, never has.

 

Like this guy.

Summer is on the way out. Hopefully taking the heat and smoke along with it, and the high sun too. Fall. Bringing more fish, cooler nights, shorter days, lower water temps and longer shadows.

I had a great time with all those that I got to fish with, looking forward to fishing again and to what the fall may or may not bring. How many steelhead seasons do we get, right?

Rich