Hand in Hand

Timothy Burke • 6/10/156/12/15

John and Amy climbed into the drift boat hand in hand ready for a husband wife adventure. In the first deep run a sudden take on the far left rod caught everyone motionless and put us down on the count 0-1.

The morning was magical with gin clear water and blue bird skies. The osprey circled looking for a morning meal while dipper birds chased each other up and down the banks. Boulders slipped passed us as we slid into a run of cloudy clay banks and downed tree’s. Under the stain of the current rods danced playfully in the early summer air.

Amy called out, “John whats wrong with your rod” as the tip drove deep into the swirling water. John screamed “fish on” grabbed the rod and set the hook fervently. At that moment the chaos started as he plunged into his fish pack clamoring and crying out for his go-pro camera. “Amy take the rod while I get the go-pro” was his frantic logic as Amy grabbed the rod and fought the rising steelhead. With boils, runs, and reel screaming action she held on for dear life. The long and aggressive battle was won by Amy she tamed the wild beast.

The story goes, John hooked it, Amy fought it, John landed it, and Amy captured it on photo. A beautiful story of an amazing couple enjoying life together Hand in Hand!

Always Believe

Red’s Redside

Timothy Burke • 6/7/156/12/15

As the sun dips blow the canyon wall humming bird sized salmon flies clutter the evening air. As they dip down to lay their eggs on the cool water film the hungry redside’s lurk below. It’s a frantic thrash as the large trout choke down their evening meal.

The fly line stretches out a lonely bug drifting nimbly down the curling currents. The white tuft of it’s silhouetted profile makes even the keenest eyes squint in the dusky light. With a wisp it’s gone buried deep in the jaws of its nemesis.

Sailing for Sailfish

Timothy Burke • 5/17/156/12/15

On a warm Caribbean evening just outside of the Dominican Republic our sailboat methodically worked its way to the local Puerto Plata. With just a few winks of light left and a dangerously shallow entrance into the port the sailfish were waiting. The screaming drag on the reel told tale of a angry sailfish on its way back to the deep blue.

As it danced across the water with boundless acrobatics the varsity sail showed why its one of the top sport fish in warm water. After 25 minutes of prayer and praise the giant made its way to the ship. A shot of coconut rum in its gills and my hand on its bill we landed this beauty.

Shark Bite Tuna

Timothy Burke • 5/14/156/2/15

Fish-on, Fish-on, Fish-on was the call to the captain as we slowed the boat and dropped our sails. With mostly barracuda harassing our hooks this was a different kind of pull. Diving deep the shimmer of silver was breath taking. It looks massive until the line went limp and the struggling victim obediently made its way to the surface.

With little life or fight left it was obvious someone had interfered in the fight.

At least our foe had left us some of the spoil.

Tarpon in the Night

Timothy Burke • 5/11/156/2/15

Few things keep a fly fisherman on his toes late into the night. With a strong offshore breeze and the salty sea breaking against the shore even the darkest night holds great possibilities. Every cast with the clouser minnow skipping across sea foam and weeds is a blind effort to reach the Silver King.

The black water breaks with a gulp of delight and the small clouser is engulfed by the lurking tarpon. With an ariel display the jumps begin. I quickly learned the fly fisherman’s rule “bow to the tarpon” allowing the rod to ease the strain of the salty warrior. Jump after jump, after jump the show is on and the energy transfers to every nerve in your body. Leap up on leap either turns into a quick release or the triumphant landing of this spectacular fish.

Where the Road Ends

Timothy Burke • 4/14/156/12/15

Where the road ends the adventure begins. A short hike through sitka spruce and red cedars the river makes a sharp bend on its way to the pacific. On the inside of the rapids rests a soft blanket of slow moving currents perfect for a traveling steelhead to catch its breath. With a bright fly for the sunny day and a slow steady swing from the 11ft Meizer Switch it feels like heaven is near. Drifting off in a mid morning slumber I am instantly awoken to a disappearing loop and the throb of my rod as lightening strikes. A split second later the Hardy reel screams a frantic cry for help as an invisible river thief tries to steal the fly.

Game of Thorns

Timothy Burke • 4/9/156/12/15

With thick under brush, high banks, and a variety of black berry bushes the game of endurance leaves one picking thorns from sleeves and fingers. Below the barrier of briers is a gentle soft cobble strewn corner. With one simple swing over the top of a riffle covered bar the magic happens and a giant tug indicates a willing participant on the other end. With the battle in full swing it’s anyone’s game. At the end the feisty hen is returned to lay thousands of eggs.

Good Friday Double Banded Buck

Timothy Burke • 4/3/154/4/15

When the Sarg stepped into the river he immediately spotted a large old growth timber skimming the water at the bottom of the tail out. With conditions being low and clear and the skies filled with clouds and rain the choice fly was a purple marabou leech with a pink head. A long cast and a two stack mends sent the fly swinging perfectly down the face of the log. The Big buck lurking below came out of no where and devoured the purple leech. Lighting up the reel while running 75 yards down stream summer-salting all the way it was a beautiful battle.

On the Move

Timothy Burke • 3/29/156/12/15

With heavy rains and fish on the move staying in one run paid off for Todd and I. A willing hen tucked on a gravel shelf in the head of the drift and a lively buck in the belly of the run kept swung flies entertained and fisherman happy!

Big Carl

Timothy Burke • 3/28/154/2/15

In the bottom of the 9th (end of the day) with little energy left my buddy Todd hooked the fish of a life time. His tenacious spirit and persistency lead him to a 25 minute tug of war against an Olympic Peninsula giant. The battle ended in a fury of mixed emotions. With me on the oars trying to reach the shore in time to keep the giant steelhead from traversing the rapids. Todd reached down grabbing the tail of the fish to find out it was to large for his hand to grasp, in a split second the monster turned on its way to the deep. So in a last minute effort Todd pounced like a bob cat on the fish, water splashing, rod flying, the tussle ended in the blink of an eye and the fish swam away to it lair below. We named the 25 lbs steelhead “Big Carl” after a local friend who stopped over for a chat right before we hooked the fish. Battle pictures below…