Brite Eye’s & Salty Sea’s

Timothy Burke • 7/12/157/16/15

Heading down the Oregon coast you’re bound to slip through the cozy coastal town of Newport. Early Sunday morning the Gaynor boys and I skipped church and headed for the open seas. We jumped in the 28ft North River Seahawk Os named “Brite Eye’s”. Cruising out of the harbor we were determined to do some salmon fishing. Much to our surprise within minutes of placing the rods in the holders the left rod tip started to throb frantically revealing the hoochie rig was under attack.

The day ended up with 5 beautiful coho in the boat, calm seas, and some vey satisfied fisherman! One thing that really stuck out was captain Mike Gaynor Sr. said he “always expects to catch his limit”! Fishing with confidence is a big part of being successful!

Always Believe

Best Fishin Buddies

Timothy Burke • 6/25/15

I think about all the wonderful times I have had on the river with my family and friends. A simple stream, a radical river, or even a small creek provides the context for great relationships. With my latest trip being the day before Fathers Day I had the privilege of having Chiyang and his 11 year old son Cody in my boat for the day.

I forgot what it was like to be 11 and go fishing. There is a sense of optimism and delight in every cast. The youthful passion is contagious combined with a relentless hunger for fish, fish, and more fish.

The Day was filled with laughter, conversation and stories of past fishing trips and different experiences. One of the highlights came for me at the end of the Day when 11 year old Cody asked me to teach him how to cast a fly rod. With much enthusiasm we began the beautiful art and disciplines of fly casting. He was a natural, patient, and relentless. Cody has a wonderful future ahead of him guided by his loving Father Chiyang!

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.

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…

Scout Trip

Timothy Burke • 3/20/15

I spent a day on the river with one of my best buddies and fishing mentor JR Hall. We had a great trip with plenty of action. We hooked 5 fish and lost two monsters. One of the greatest priveledges was to share life, stories, and enjoy a common interest. For me personally its been a difficult week with my dad (best fishing buddy) in ICU so it was nice to get away from the iv’s, breathing machines, smells, and anxiety of a sick loved one and loose myself on the river. Thank you JR and please pray for my dad Tom Burke!

Biggest Fish in Washington

Timothy Burke • 3/7/156/12/15

This Lake Tahoe native looked at me after landing a nice winter steelhead and said, “thats the biggest fish I have caught in Washington”. We had a blast yesterday telling stories, discovering new water, and I got to see the Californian take an unintentional dip in the water :). I feel blessed to spend a day with a great friend in a place created with us in mind!

What I Came Here For

Timothy Burke • 2/18/152/28/15

This central Oregon fisherman couldn’t contain himself when a big bright hen in the middle teens tore him up. He cried out “This is What I Came Here For” as the fish took off for the ocean. Used to beautiful steelhead from the Columbia River tributaries that average 6-12lbs the Oregonian got a taste of a Peninsula Power House. I think he’ll be back!

Fish-on, Fish-off, Fish-on

Timothy Burke • 2/18/156/12/15

Not sure the last time I heard “fish-on, fish-off, fish-on” all in the same sentence. I wasn’t sure who was more confuse, me, my brother, or the chrome lighting bolt trying to steal his fly.