Sky High Steelhead

Timothy Burke • 6/17/146/12/15

Anticipation was high on the Skykomish River this week. The opening of salmon and steelhead season had highway 2 crawling with drift boats, jet sleds, and bank anglers ready to hook into the first fish of the season. Our day started at High Bridge just above Gold Bar. We slipped the “Fish Craft” drift boat into the emerald green water and rowed up just above the launch to pull shrimp and eggs through the soft inside slot just under the bridge. Minutes into probing the hole with bait divers the left side rod bowed down under the weight of a curious steelhead. The expert guide JR Hall held back for a split second until the anxious steelhead devoured the shrimp. The battle was on, a chrome streak made its way up and down the slot. JR passed the rod to his buddy John Czech who fought and landing his first steelhead.

A few holes down river above the clay bank there is a beautiful soft run above a large creek just tucked under some overhanging cedars. We stopped to float eggs and within minutes a bobber disappeared and reappeared with a big bright steelhead attached to it. Rookie John Czech had his second steelhead of the day and this one was a fighter. After 10 minutes of aerial displays, long runs, and nervous head shakes the elusive steelhead surrendered. John Czech went home with his first two bright Skykomish River steelhead, stories, and a smile a mile wide. Come fish the Sky with me!

Always Believe

Tim Burke
Believe River Guide Service

425-435-9070

The Design Behind Believe River

Timothy Burke • 6/7/146/12/15

A day on the river with the graphic and web designers proved to be a valuable investment. From first time casting lessons to great photos it was a very important trip.

Web Artist Mike Cleek

Graphic Artist Jens Jorgenson

The Guide

Timothy Burke • 4/28/146/12/15

While reflecting this morning over my first official guide trip with a cup of coffee in hand and the sacred words from the good book some really insightful thoughts came to my mind.

You see when you guide someone on a steelhead or salmon adventure you do everything in your power to help them be as successful as possible. You prepare days in advance. You invest time, money, hundreds of miles of driving, while running on a few hours of sleep to be the first boat on the river increasing your chances of catching fish. It sounds crazy to most and only makes sense to the fanatic who loves helping others catch the passion which consumes him.

Once on the river “the guide” endures every possible condition including rain, snow, hale, heat, wind, beauty, extreme sun exposure, and exhaustion. All the while coaching, encouraging, untangling, and helping others to be as successful as they possibly can.

So take this fisherman’s reality and apply it to the “Ultimate Guide” the Lord. How much more does God want us to catch His passion for life and helping others? While He guides us in life how often do we get hung up between a rock and a hard place, back spool our lives, get things all tangled up and need help. All the time He is coach, encouraging, untangling, pointing out the best spots, and wanting more then anything to see us succeed at His passion “life”!

Next time you think about the Lord. Remember Him as your guide. A faithful teacher, encourager, un-tangler, wanting to do everything in His power to help us win at the life , that which He has so passionately created us for.

Remember He is guiding us and wants the best for you and me!

Always Believe!

Tim

Steel Will

Timothy Burke • 4/11/142/26/15

The greatest quality found in the heart of a winter steelhead fisherman is perseverance. The willingness to endure the elements over come the odds and swing through every drift is no small task.

Steel Wil

Will Chester is one of those fisherman who stands out on the cobble strewn banks of this lower peninsula river. With his #7 weight 13/6 hand crafted Meiser Rod in hand the advantage of shimmering chrome and a screaming Hardy Perfect sings true to a “steel will”!

Those who swing to the end often find a reward!

Always Believe

Tim Burke

Fish Tails

Timothy Burke • 4/10/142/26/15

It was a mid morning start on the Olympic Peninsula. Boats lined the launch on a sleepy river and fishermen prepared for the days drift. Everyone one knows the first couple boats down the river have the best chance of finding fish. But this day was different. While fisherman launched their boats the keen senses of three seasoned steelheaders notices fish porpoising in the tail out just above the launch. But who really fishes at the boat launch?

The stealthy anglers snuck their way up the bank to the top of the tail. The water shown a slow, soft, mystical movement as it made its way down the cascading banks. Seth Burke (AKA Stealth) made quick work to extend is fly across the tail out swinging for the steel below.

The porpoising fish were active and on the move. Stealth wasted little time enticing them with his hand tied intruder. The fish’s first grab was a miss but Stealth kept is cool and let his line continue through the swing. Within seconds the fish returned and grabbed his fly in a hellacious boil of fury. “Fish-on” was the cry of an enthusiastic spey fisherman as the battle begun!

Good things come to those who fish tails!

Always Believe!

Tim Burke

First Cast Fish

Timothy Burke • 3/24/142/26/15

Yesterday, I had the privilege of having surgeon Stan Kopp and business owner Jim Slayton in my boat. We selected fly rods as the method to persuade the elusive steelhead. Once arriving at the boat launch we readied the drifter for our journey down the Wynoochee River. We launched and set anchor in a small drift just across the way. I prepared the rods with doc Kopp’s the first one ready to go. With Sage in hand the skilled surgeon made quick work of the water in front of him. Next I set up Jim’s rod but just seconds into stringing up the rod I hear shouts from the seat behind me “fish on”, “fish on” the doc had hooked the first steelhead of the trip.

After Jim skillfully netted the first fish, the crafty surgeon hooked another one just around the bend.

We finished off the day with 2 caught and 2 that got away. What an amazing day with two incredible guys! God is good and we had a blast!

Always Believe!

Monster Oregon Coast Native

Timothy Burke • 3/14/146/12/15

Enjoy watching this beautiful 41.5 inch Oregon Coast Native Steelhead.
Not often does one experience such a catch!

Oregon Coast Native Steelhead

2014 Keizer Steelhead Tournament

Timothy Burke • 3/13/146/12/15

The Oregon Coast is home to some of the most enticing steelhead rivers in the Northwest. For the past six years local fishermen from Salem/Keizer have hosted an invitational steelhead tournament. This fishing derby focuses on 4 rivers the Siletz, Nestucca, Wilson, and Alsea. Fishermen are tasked with choosing what they believe will be the most productive body of water in hopes of having the best chances at catching the elusive steelhead. Over two days 5 boats and 15 fishermen compete to accumulate the most inches of fish.

The truth about the tournament is not just exceptional fishing but home brewed beer from PBH Brewing, outstanding meals provided by chief David Bauer, and the wealth of knowledge brought by each angler.

This year was exceptional with 23 steelhead caught and 576 total inches of fish. Congratulations to all they guys for an outstanding job!

Here is a picture of my friend Dennis and I with his beautiful 41 inch native steelhead caught on the Nestucca River just above the 101 Cafe in Beaver, Oregon.

The following pictures are of this years tournament winners!