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.
On a warm Caribbean evening just outside of the Dominican Republic our sailboat methodically worked its way to the local Puerto Plata. With just a few winks of light left and a dangerously shallow entrance into the port the sailfish were waiting. The screaming drag on the reel told tale of a angry sailfish on its way back to the deep blue.
As it danced across the water with boundless acrobatics the varsity sail showed why its one of the top sport fish in warm water. After 25 minutes of prayer and praise the giant made its way to the ship. A shot of coconut rum in its gills and my hand on its bill we landed this beauty.
Where the road ends the adventure begins. A short hike through sitka spruce and red cedars the river makes a sharp bend on its way to the pacific. On the inside of the rapids rests a soft blanket of slow moving currents perfect for a traveling steelhead to catch its breath. With a bright fly for the sunny day and a slow steady swing from the 11ft Meizer Switch it feels like heaven is near. Drifting off in a mid morning slumber I am instantly awoken to a disappearing loop and the throb of my rod as lightening strikes. A split second later the Hardy reel screams a frantic cry for help as an invisible river thief tries to steal the fly.
With thick under brush, high banks, and a variety of black berry bushes the game of endurance leaves one picking thorns from sleeves and fingers. Below the barrier of briers is a gentle soft cobble strewn corner. With one simple swing over the top of a riffle covered bar the magic happens and a giant tug indicates a willing participant on the other end. With the battle in full swing it’s anyone’s game. At the end the feisty hen is returned to lay thousands of eggs.
With heavy rains and fish on the move staying in one run paid off for Todd and I. A willing hen tucked on a gravel shelf in the head of the drift and a lively buck in the belly of the run kept swung flies entertained and fisherman happy!
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!
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.
“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…
Its one thing to start fishing behind someone and catch a fish but its another thing to do it twice. Although my catch was not as big as my brothers he’ll never let me fish behind him again.
Nice job landing my fish Davy!
the second pick pocket
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