Fish Tails

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?

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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!

 

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Good things come to those who fish tails!

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Always Believe!

Tim Burke

First Cast Fish

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.

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

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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!

2014 Keizer Steelhead Tournament

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.

3.14.14 Nestucca Native Dennis and Tim

 

The following pictures are of this years tournament winners!

Clay and Joe David and Joe John and Joe Randy and Joe