Summer Steelhead

Best Fishin Buddies

Timothy Burke •

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.

IMG_1219

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.

IMG_1216

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!

IMG_1217

IMG_1222

Hand in Hand

Timothy Burke •

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.

IMG_1187

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.

IMG_1186

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

Sky High Steelhead

Timothy Burke •

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.

Sky Czech

 

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!

Sky Czech

 

Always Believe

Tim Burke
Believe River Guide Service

425-435-9070