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.
Winter Steelhead
Compassionwacky
“Just put me on a gravel bar and let me swing flies” were the exact words from David Brandhagen from Pendleton Oregon. He made short work of this bucket and found a nice steelie hanging in the soft seam.
Compassionwacky is a term he uses to explain the feeling of “swinging gravel bars”, makes sense right…
Pick Pocket
First Run “Red”
My brother drove up from central Oregon and met us for lunch on this beautiful peninsula river. He is a husband, dad, and school administrator with a busy life. After enjoying some bbq’d dogs we pushed off for an afternoon float. On our fist bucket “Red” we call him swung up this beauty on his third cast.
with the battle raging the prize was soon insight.
all smiles
ended the day with a beautiful sunset
it was “Red’s day” and we all felt blessed to see God’s glory displayed
Natives in the Midst
On a misty morning this Puget Sound tributary held some of the finest fighting fish of the season.
Both of the chrome bright natives were found in the soft inside high bank water.
With reels screaming and fisherman praying the early morning produced a beautiful catch and release.
Proper presentation and determination seemed to be the magic formula for the day.
Patience is a virtue for many steelheader’s with so many beautiful scenes to enjoy on the trip.
The most important part is the awesome people you get to spend the day with.
Always Believe!
Tim
River Transport
Steel Will
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.
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
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
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.
The following pictures are of this years tournament winners!