River Levels Rise

Timothy Burke • 1/15/162/16/19

Winter fishing is the most challenging time of the year to pursue steelhead. The ever-changing patterns of mother nature, snowmelt, heavy rains, and freezing cold conditions can make it a guessing game for even the most skilled angler. With years of experience under his belt, I headed to the Olympic Peninsula with my fishing buddy and top-notch angler Todd Sloan to target big steelhead. When everyone else was at home cozied up by the fire Todd knew exactly where to go. A majority of the rivers were blown out of shape due to heavy rains but this just meant some of the smaller tributaries would fish perfect.

With the small stream rising, we picked the perfect window. After releasing a small native steelhead we made our way to one of Todd’s favorite runs. He put me in the sweet spot and holding in the tail-out was a bruiser buck.

Thanks to years of experience it was a banner day for Sloan and me on the river.

Always Believe!

Cold Water Steel

Timothy Burke • 1/8/162/16/19

In the winter temperatures can drop down into the teens. The icy river cascades its way held intact by lava banks, frozen drifts, and gravel bars. The first step thaws frozen boots warming them to the temperature of the water. Cold and green it seems lifeless from first glance while snow flurries fall from above but below the surface, the strong and vibrant inhabitants thrive.

The sound of ice popping off the rod guides echo off the canyon wall. The line stretches across the surface presenting a weighted intruder down into the drift. The fly tumbles through stony crags and greasy hydraulics. The fisherman shivers but the steelhead feel right at home. On the inside of the swing, a soft slow piece of water holds a willing participant. The line goes tight, the rod tip bucks up and down under the weight and the reel communicates clearly it’s under distress. A slight lift to the bank secures the fight and the battle begins.

This trip was with my two best friends David and Seth Burke. We spent the week of thanksgiving fishing our favorite south central Washington stream. Although the temperatures were miserable and snow fell all around us we felt at home. It was a perfect day for three brothers to enjoy the pastime that has created some of the greatest moments and memories we share.

Always Believe!

The Steelhead Doc

Timothy Burke • 9/14/1510/13/15

Ken Faw spends his time serving in the community as an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. His passion is investing in people. During his time in the office at Evergreen Hospital he oversee’s a major medical division and helps hundreds of people every week.

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Preparing for the Dean River

Timothy Burke • 9/1/152/16/19

Learning is the beauty of any pursuit in life. As we learn our skills improve, our knowledge deepens, and our opportunities increase.

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Subtly Leads To Success

Timothy Burke • 8/27/1510/13/15

In summer conditions its important to remember that subtly can be very important. When a river is gin clear and had lots of pressure the profile and presentation of your fly can make a big difference.

On Saturday afternoon I fished the Cowlitz River. With lots of jet boats running up and down fishing eggs, shrimp, plugs, spinners, and a variety of different techniques I decided to go with a small wet fly. I knew the fish had seen lots of big presentations and must have been feeling the pressure.

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A Confident Angler Catches the Fish

David Burke • 7/28/15

You’ve heard it said that confidence is everything when it comes to catching, landing and releasing steelhead. Every season this idea grows and grows on me as I learn more about flies, fish and reading water. I’m sure general confidence is helpful, but I’d like to make a few recommendations that may help your confidence grow in the area of fly choice.

Let me start by stating that I used to carry the kitchen sink while out steelhead fishing, knowing that I may have to change my fly multiple times throughout the day. If one was not working, I’d loose confidence in it. If I went through three or four flies I would find myself in a bit of a neurosis, trying to dig to find that just right pattern. The truth is any fly with a hook will work, but some flies just seem to work better than others.

After spending countless hours on the vice I’ve learned that contrast, profile, and movement are the three key ingredients to a fly that will entice even the most reluctant steelhead. Warning, just because a fly looks super buggy at the shop doesn’t mean it will fish that way. Many flies are tied for the shop, not for the river. In order to achieve profile and movement a fly has to have the perfect mix of material. As I look back through my old boxes of flies, I find myself wanting to bust out my scissors and cut out material in order to reduce the amount of feathers or dubbing. I’ve learned that less really means more when it comes to flies. The new rule of thumb is: Less material, especially less of the same kind of material. Don’t ever tie on two of the same feathers, especially marabou. Why? It may appear to provide profile, but it won’t have the correct movement because marabou likes marabou, so it sticks together. Build profile with strong shoulder of dubbing or hackle, then tie your marabou in sparsely. You’ll be pleased with the difference in profile and movement.

The best day I’ve ever had steelhead fishing came when I put on a size 7 sparsely tied skunk pattern. The fish just couldn’t seem to leave it alone. Here’s why a small fly beats a big fly in clear water conditions most days. First, it’s subtle…I believe steelhead often act like a playful cat, chasing something down out of curiosity and then swiping at it. Something small triggers a fish’s curiosity. “What was that little thing that just swam by?” They then go in search of it and often times decide to take a swipe. A big fly triggers a completely different set of instincts for a fish, the protector, aggressor instincts. In clear water, fish are less likely to get super aggressive, as they don’t feel as safe. A small, sparsely tied fly will become your go to pattern once you begin to experience the curiosity of steelhead. You’ve probably seen videos of fish coming up and hitting at flies, only to return again and again on consecutive casts.

I’ve included a picture of one of my profile flies. I tie it in such a way that the materials repel each other, so that the front hackle actually bounces off the dubbing ball creating a large profile and lots of movement in the water. Additionally, the black head provides a great contrast to the purple body for low visibility situations. I have great confidence swinging this fly, plus I know no one else is swinging it because it cannot be purchased in the store and I have yet to see anyone build a fly that has the same compilation of materials as this one. So, when I step into a run that has already been fished, I’m casting with 100% confidence in my choice of flies. I’m sparser, buggier and better contrasting than most of what the fish have seen ahead of me.

Nymph Swing

Seth Burke • 7/19/157/21/15

I love casting two-handed fly rods. Swinging traditional flies on a
floating Scandi line. Standing knee deep in 100-yard runs cobbled with basketball-sized boulders. Stepping up to the challenge when the river taunts me to cast a little farther, a little farther.

Not all rivers are this way.

Sometimes a fisherman needs to sit and listen to the river. Observe. Absorb. Try something different and break the chains of tradition.

Give it a try and you might be rewarded like I was today.

My brother Dave, also known as “Red”, perfecected the Nymph Swing years ago as we began our journey into fly fishing for Steelhead. He started with a single hand rod but now prefers fishing two-handed rods. This technique can be used with either.

Select a long leader, the length of your rod or three to five feet longer, and your favorite buggy flies for the water you are fishing. I like to start with small weighted natural flies fished in tandum. A Steelhead Price Nymph and a Copper John. Start at the head of the pool or run, as summer Steelhead like the oxygenated water. (Don’t underestimate how far up they will hold in the head of a run.) Cast up stream, holding your rod up to keep a tight line. As the flies drift down current slowly lower your rod and begin following the flies. Then lower your rod completley and allow the flies to swing all the way to the bank.

It’s pretty simple, but what makes someone an expert with this technique is their fish sense. Stay connect to your flies. Use a sensative hand. Listen to and feel the river. If you need more weight, you can add a split shot or fish a heavier lead fly. A weighted Egg Sucking Leech can be an effective lead fly. Sometimes Steelhead will grab your fly early in the drift or as your flies transition into the swing. Where ever this happens, be ready. It can be violent.

Enjoy!

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!

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.

Tarpon in the Night

Timothy Burke • 5/11/156/2/15

Few things keep a fly fisherman on his toes late into the night. With a strong offshore breeze and the salty sea breaking against the shore even the darkest night holds great possibilities. Every cast with the clouser minnow skipping across sea foam and weeds is a blind effort to reach the Silver King.

The black water breaks with a gulp of delight and the small clouser is engulfed by the lurking tarpon. With an ariel display the jumps begin. I quickly learned the fly fisherman’s rule “bow to the tarpon” allowing the rod to ease the strain of the salty warrior. Jump after jump, after jump the show is on and the energy transfers to every nerve in your body. Leap up on leap either turns into a quick release or the triumphant landing of this spectacular fish.