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!

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.

River Transport

Timothy Burke • 1/9/156/12/15

A faithful vessel can take one to places of bliss.

From the trusty vessel to the riverbank a swung fly can temp even the most elusive.

Every trip is pregnant with potential.

This hatchery fish was snatched off the bank by a bald eagle.

No really…

Always Believe!

Tim

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