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!
Wintersteelhead
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
First Cast Fish
Yesterday, I had the privilege of having surgeon Stan Kopp and business owner Jim Slayton in my boat. We selected fly rods as the method to persuade the elusive steelhead. Once arriving at the boat launch we readied the drifter for our journey down the Wynoochee River. We launched and set anchor in a small drift just across the way. I prepared the rods with doc Kopp’s the first one ready to go. With Sage in hand the skilled surgeon made quick work of the water in front of him. Next I set up Jim’s rod but just seconds into stringing up the rod I hear shouts from the seat behind me “fish on”, “fish on” the doc had hooked the first steelhead of the trip.
After Jim skillfully netted the first fish, the crafty surgeon hooked another one just around the bend.
We finished off the day with 2 caught and 2 that got away. What an amazing day with two incredible guys! God is good and we had a blast!
Always Believe!