Natives in the Midst

On a misty morning this Puget Sound tributary held some of the finest fighting fish of the season.

The Blade

Both of the chrome bright natives were found in the soft inside high bank water.

Fish On

With reels screaming and fisherman praying the early morning produced a beautiful catch and release.

Native Steelhead

Proper presentation and determination seemed to be the magic formula for the day.

Chrome Bright

Patience is a virtue for many steelheader’s with so many beautiful scenes to enjoy on the trip.

The River

The most important part is the awesome people you get to spend the day with.

Determined

Always Believe!

Tim

 

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.

Steel Wil

IMG_8559

 

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”!

IMG_8564

 

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?

IMG_8605

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!

 

IMG_8615

Good things come to those who fish tails!

IMG_8621

 

Always Believe!

Tim Burke