[Flyfishin Magician]

Hey guys. It's definitely been a while, but I finally went for my first fishing trip this year. A buddy and I hit the Vedder yesterday (Friday) as we decided to take the day off work. Hit the run just after 7 AM and it was quite busy, but still plenty of room to fish. Not much action for about an hour and a half. Then a guy above me hooks a fish and just loses it close to the beach. About 10 minutes later, another guy above me hooks a fish and the battle is on. During that fight, another guy below me hooks a fish and we have a "double header". The two gentlemen land their fish - both hatchery fish of about 9 - 10 pounds each. So, they're done.

About five minutes after that, the drennan goes down and I can feel strong head shakes. The fish doesn't come out of the water, but rather just rolls underneath the surface. After some tugging back and forth, I lead the fish close to shore. A fellow angler shouts out "nice hatchery". At that point - I'm reminded of what FishFinder told me the night before. I told him that I wasn't really planning on keeping a steelhead, but then FF said that if I landed a nice chrome hatchery steelie - I'd be keeping it! Hmm. Anyway, the adrenaline starts to flow. One of the guys who just landed a fish looks into the water and yells out "it's a beauty!'. Oh my. I get the fish in close to land it, and I think I have him subdued - then my 6 lb leader breaks! But a guy standing right beside the fish picks it up and puts it on the beach! OK - I guess I'm done! The fish was actually quite a bit larger than I first thought. It turned out to be a 15 pound hatchery buck (thanks to the guy with the electronic scale). My first fish of the year and first steelie on a gear rod!

Anyway - here's a couple of pictures...

We stayed until just about noon as I was hoping my buddy would get a hook-up. But then we decided it was time for lunch. In that time, I saw a couple of fish hooked and lost. However, it seemed to slow down. I wonder how the afternoon went. Anyone?

So - back to the fly rod or stick with the gear? Hmm... In any case - I hope to get out at least a few more times. Good luck out there everyone!

 

[Rib]

Heh nice fish flyfishin magician! What was the water clarity like when you were out? I know last week below the claybanks it had clouded up a bit with just a bit of rain....were you upper, mid or lower river? Tough when you get a hatch that early in the day huh? Nice report,
Rib

 

[steeliesrking]

Hit the river today at first light. Fished a few areas that I have had success at in the past with no luck. Walked up river a good ways fishing some great looking water. Again, no luck. So, I went back down to where I had started. Second cast, nice bright 12lb wild buck. Put up a good scrap, and gently released.
Water was ultra clear, and low, but not too low. Not all that many guys out either.

 

[Rib]

Water was ultra clear, and low, but not too low

Thanks, that answers my question just fine,am headed out thurs and
will report when I get back,
thx again,
rib

 

[Flyfishin Magician]

Hey ribwart. Yes - the water was quite clear. I suppose that's why I went with the 6 lb leader. We were in the lower section.

 

[steeliesrking]

We are supposed to get a fair amount of rain before Thursday. You might want to get a more recent report before you go.

 

[Rib]

yeah water will probably come up a bit, I'll play it by ear....thanks for the reports guys,
rib

 

[Bonanza]

Great looking fish FFM! I was out on Friday from 10 till noon around Allison pool but did not have any luck. Great day and nice looking water but I could not find any Steelhead. I was using 12# leader and a jenson egg. Probably too heavy on the leader.

 

[Fish Finder]

Nice fish FFM...I think it's time for you to put away that drift rod now.. :lol: :lol:

Finder :wink:

 

[Flyfishin Magician]

I hear ya FF! BTW - I heard you ran into Phil...

 

[Fish Finder]

I did...I didn't regognize who it was at first...the glare of the sun practicly blinded me every time I looked up in his direction...it was aquick chat, as he was on his way home...good to see him, and we'll have to get out again some time....perhaps a day trip to the high country?

Finder :wink:

 

[fishortho]

Hey 'Majician.............Nice fish, buddy!.........Are you learning all the tricks from Finder?? (just kidding)........The flyrod steelie is my next order of business!..............Ortho

 

[Flyfishin Magician]

Thanks Ortho! As for getting the fish on the fly - yes, it is a rewarding experience. It's kind of weird thinking that I've caught a few steelies on the fly, but not on the drift rod until last Friday. But I can honestly say that getting one on the gear sure felt pretty darn good! As for learning from FF - let's just say he's a good guy who's given me a rabbit or two to pull out of the hat! :lol: See you on the water (hopefully)!