#1....

[charles sullivan]

Well done, DO. Good for you.

 

[Billy]

Hell yeah!

 

[JS]

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GTFO

This has been such a huge part of who you are mentally, physically, spiritually... So what's next? Where do you go from here?

straight to the fuckin top! Clear the way, Dan is coming in hot!

 

[Dave Boyle]

Well done DO,

Now you’ll get 2 tomorrow…

Dave

 

[Canuck from Kansas]

Don't know the backstory, but it sounds like it must have been quite a trek, and quite a story of perseverance - congratulations!!

cheers

 

[Merle]

Thanks everyone. It was a very fun ride, and did all things that steelheads do.

First run with the new rod, but I had to work for it. Really crumby conditions, high dirty water. I still chose to stick with my new resolution of staying smaller than I think, and a little black,purple bunny leech tied on an alec jackson 5 did the trick.

The take was uneventful. Very end of the swing close to the bank. I am just about to start pulling running line and line went tight. Fish bucked a few times during initial hook up. I cant call it a hook set. Fish ran 3 times, and jumped 2 times.

What I found interesting was the fish took so close to the bank so that is where my eyes concentrated until that fishes first jump was literally up middle river where my initial cast landed.

One funny note. On the 3rd run, I shouted, "aww your a fucken dick" out loud at that fish. I had him in so close I really thought that was it. Nope.

I am sitting here rocking in my recliner, some weed and bourbon in my hand. Cheers everyone!

What’s the new rod? Looks cool with that Marquis reel.

Congrats again on the steelie, you’re in an elite fraternity now!

 

[Paige]

@DanielOcean the real question is was a net man involved?

 

[clarkman]

 

[mcswny]

Don't know the backstory, but it sounds like it must have been quite a trek, and quite a story of perseverance - congratulations!!

cheers

I went back to find the thread. 47 pages.

 

[DanielOcean]

@DanielOcean the real question is was a net man involved?

Nope. I was lucky to have a good landing spot near by and just fought to that point

 

[DanielOcean]

What’s the new rod? Looks cool with that Marquis reel.

Congrats again on the steelie, you’re in an elite fraternity now!

Sage X 7120. Xmas gift from my wife. My wife did some Witchy Pagan stuff. Candles, sage, gems, you name it. That rod got the full good juju treatment from the blessings of my wife. First run casting the new rod.
Wanted to just get out and cast the new rod and apply some new thoughtful approaches to how I approach a run.

 

[skyriver]

Congrats! And "I had him in so close I really thought that was it. Nope." is SO steelhead. Haha! Always assume they have one more in them, even if they don't.

 

[Paige]

Nope. I was lucky to have a good landing spot near by and just fought to that point

Better do it all on your owne on the first one!

 

[Chris Johnson]

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Atta boy

 

[DanielOcean]

I’m tearing up.

Even though I always thought I would, I didn't. Even alone, I really did not want to make a big deal about it. I am stoked I got it done, and it being a Washington fish, and never ever booking a guide. Ill admit, I came close to calling Jim Kerr, and Mike Sterza several times. Every time I get a shuttle from Mike, i like to poke fun refer to him as "Great River Elder". "Shiiiiiiiiiit" he always says. LOL

 

[CougarZeke]

I was half expecting someone to get all technical and pull some old resident rainbow theory BS they got you on years ago!

 

[NRC]

I was half expecting someone to get all technical and pull some old resident rainbow theory BS they got you on years ago!

Oh I did! It’s extra funny with the adipose missing

 

[Dustin Chromers]

View attachment 101153

You literally got it in the toughest year on record for steelhead.

And I've also identified your location based on streamside vegetation and the rare waterfowl feather in the lower right. See you tomorrow.

 

[charles sullivan]

Do hatchery fish count?

 

[Evan B]

Do hatchery fish count?

I do feel like we lost an important piece of forum lore, so I do vote for us moving the goal posts.

Ok @DanielOcean - go swing up a wild fish and report back.