First fish of 2023

Northern · Jan 12, 2023

A recent bout of insomnia had me working on about 12 total hrs of sleep over three nights when my fishing partner and I hit the South Sound on Tues. We found fish, and she proceeded to hook and land I dunno how many SRC. Despite her sharing the winning fly pattern, my one functioning brain cell resulted in many missed takes, several LDRs, a lot of blank staring at the water, no fewer than 5 completely fubar'd leaders, 10 min fumbling fly changes, and finally, my first fish of '23 - a very average but spunky searrun (sorry, no pic.)

And it was still an awesome day! Dang, I love this sport!

Salmo_g · Jan 12, 2023

It was 10 days into the new year when I got out to fish. I thought the rivers would be blown, but I was wrong. They were high, but fishable. Got lucky and found this nearly chrome buck.

Wanative · Jan 12, 2023

Salmo_g said:
It was 10 days into the new year when I got out to fish. I thought the rivers would be blown, but I was wrong. They were high, but fishable. Got lucky and found this nearly chrome buck.

View attachment 49777

That is a nice one. Good for you.

VMP · Jan 13, 2023

Never mind Friday the 13th, nor the deluge of rain during the only break in between work Zoom meetings today, I had to get out for the first time this year, even if just for half an hour to a nearby dock. I caught (literally) a handful of trout for my first fish of 2023… second one was a whooping inch or two longer, maybe.

Ceviche · Jan 13, 2023

VMP said:
Never mind Friday the 13th, nor the deluge of rain during the only break in between work Zoom meetings today, I had to get out for the first time this year, even if just for half an hour to a nearby dock. I caught (literally) a handful of trout for my first fish of 2023… second one was a whooping inch or two longer, maybe.View attachment 49951

Call it accumulated success.

rattlesnake · Jan 14, 2023

Caught a few chubs while trout fishing. Then caught this tiny little dummy, real pretty fish

Matt B · Jan 15, 2023

Yep, on the board.

Billy · Jan 17, 2023

FINALLY!!! A 22 inch eastern Washington stud

Phil K · Jan 21, 2023

Well finally.

It's usually a good sign when your fly gets attacked on the first not-even-real cast.

Bambooflyguy · Jan 21, 2023

Strange bloodshot eye......

brownheron · Jan 21, 2023

2023 fish # 1 was an accidental whitefish but yesterday was my first day actually fishing with a serious intent. I'm fortunate that #2 through 5 yesterday were steelhead. #2-4 were all chrome bright and jumpy hens. #5 buck below was on of those great steelhead experiences where you hook one in a rock garden right about a rapid and have to walk the fish down through the rapid hoping all the way they don't swim under a rock. Got lucky this time. Great day on the water and a good start to the season.

01.20.23.02

FishingGirl · Jan 25, 2023

Northern said:
A recent bout of insomnia had me working on about 12 total hrs of sleep over three nights when my fishing partner and I hit the South Sound on Tues. We found fish, and she proceeded to hook and land I dunno how many SRC. Despite her sharing the winning fly pattern, my one functioning brain cell resulted in many missed takes, several LDRs, a lot of blank staring at the water, no fewer than 5 completely fubar'd leaders, 10 min fumbling fly changes, and finally, my first fish of '23 - a very average but spunky searrun (sorry, no pic.)

And it was still an awesome day! Dang, I love this sport!

12. No pics. Except the flies after use. Broken hook and unraveled ribs.

Triploidjunkie · Jan 26, 2023

Not my first of the year by far, or biggest, but it sure was pretty

Greg Armstrong · Jan 26, 2023

You sure got that right, pretty fish for sure!

DoesItFloat · Jan 26, 2023

Eastside · Jan 26, 2023

On the board on a well-known Central Oregon ditch. River was very quiet and a few fish were willing to play, including this one. About to get cold in Central Oregon and the rest of the PNW.