downriver79
Steelhead
Picked up a used Cabela's TLR 1106 switch rod at auction a couple of weeks ago. The reel and sink tips I was waiting for got here last week. Fished a spot briefly on Friday afternoon where I really wasn't expecting to catch anything, but I figured I'd have the place to myself so it would be a good place to get some practice in, as I'd been using my single hand sink tips to this point that were a little lighter and shorter than the Mow Tips and would need to make some adjustments to my timing. Just as I thought, there was no one else to contend with so I was able to take my time and get some good practice casts in. By the time I was running out of light I felt confident in my ability. Sunday morning was perfect overcast, forecasted to be sticking around all morning. I headed out ot a spot I knew had been holding fish lately. Got there around 8:00 and had the place to myself. As I was headed down the trail toward the top of the run I was there to fish, another truck pulled in and parked about 50 yds downstream of me. As I stepped out of the brush and into the river, I looked downstream. Sure enough, dude stepped out of the brush and into the river downstream of me. Low-holed by a gear fisherman. I didn't l et it get to me, as he seemed to be posting up on a deep hole that's in a slow moving outside bend where it's hard to get a good swing anyway. I'd just leap-frog him when I got to him. Within 5 minutes of dude low-holeing me, I got hammered mid swing! A solid hookup, gave it an extra set once it took some line out. Got airborn a couple of times in the initial run but I maintained tension and kept it on. Got it almost close enough to grab the leader when it saw me and made another good run. Did that one more time, then on the third time I had it in close it was much more tamed. This time I got the leader up close to me and grabbed it and pulled the fish in. A big ol wild buck pushing 30"! Gave him the old hug against the thigh as I unbuttoned the hook. Admired him for a minute as I held onto his tail and made sure he was healthy. Seemed to be good, so I let him go and away he swam. No pics, as he was wild and I was fishing solo. What a great fish to christen the new rod with! Really grateful to the fish gods that my first fish on a two hander was such a beauty!