My buddy Mitch and I headed to the desert for 3 days to find some steel. My #1 goal was to get him a fish. That didn't happen, but he had a good time. He caught a nice redside on the D and got steelhead blocked by a really fat pikeminnow on the JD. Had him going for a few seconds. 
I also caught a nice redside that had me hopeful for all of 2 seconds as well as a chunky smallie. Also had me hopeful for about....2 seconds.
I went 0-2 on the JD. Both fish were the biggest I've felt on that river. Unfortunately, I was not able to confirm that visually. The first one was on the swing and slugged it out like many do there and just came unbuttoned. One of those things that I couldn't do a damn thing about. That's why they call it fishing, not catching. I was honestly not mad and just happy we had found some fish.
The second fish (on the strip) was hooked less than 20 minutes later on the same run and went completely crazy and had 70 yards of my backing out before he stopped. Pretty sure that was a steelhead record for me. Damned impressive considering hardly any current in the big pool. I followed a bit, but didn't run since I figured he would come back up. He came back up and I always had consistent pressure. Got my backing back in and then most of the running line. He was about 30 feet away, still unseen, and did one of those super spirals they like to do and all I got to see was his tail. Once again, just came unbuttoned. I did every damn thing right. Ok, this time I'm pissed. Haha!
I don't mind losing steelhead, but I really don't like never seeing them. Like, at least let me see you.
And that would be the last of the steelhead action for the trip.
We fished some beautiful water, saw some gorgeous scenery, all kinds of wildlife, strong winds, heavy rain and even darkness while still floating on the river. Haha! Yeah, underestimated that one. Luckily, that was on the JD and nothing dangerous as long as we didn't miss the takeout. That was a first for me. Glad it wasn't on the D!!
We fished HARD. I fished my old 12'6" Allen 7wt spey with the Rio Skagit Max Launch 475gr most of the time, but both fish hooked were on the 11'6" 7wt Chromer switch with Commando Pure 400gr. I usually had on a medium MOW 2.5' T-11 tip. Also skated a couple runs first, but no go.
Mitch fished his brand new, and completely gorgeous, 11' 7wt SHS OPST rod with a 325gr Commando head and a custom 2.5' sink tip. He made it look like a delightful setup.
So no fish pics, but a great trip.
Don't go in my beer!
Oops! Did I mention the strong winds?
I also caught a nice redside that had me hopeful for all of 2 seconds as well as a chunky smallie. Also had me hopeful for about....2 seconds.
I went 0-2 on the JD. Both fish were the biggest I've felt on that river. Unfortunately, I was not able to confirm that visually. The first one was on the swing and slugged it out like many do there and just came unbuttoned. One of those things that I couldn't do a damn thing about. That's why they call it fishing, not catching. I was honestly not mad and just happy we had found some fish.
The second fish (on the strip) was hooked less than 20 minutes later on the same run and went completely crazy and had 70 yards of my backing out before he stopped. Pretty sure that was a steelhead record for me. Damned impressive considering hardly any current in the big pool. I followed a bit, but didn't run since I figured he would come back up. He came back up and I always had consistent pressure. Got my backing back in and then most of the running line. He was about 30 feet away, still unseen, and did one of those super spirals they like to do and all I got to see was his tail. Once again, just came unbuttoned. I did every damn thing right. Ok, this time I'm pissed. Haha!
I don't mind losing steelhead, but I really don't like never seeing them. Like, at least let me see you.
And that would be the last of the steelhead action for the trip.
We fished some beautiful water, saw some gorgeous scenery, all kinds of wildlife, strong winds, heavy rain and even darkness while still floating on the river. Haha! Yeah, underestimated that one. Luckily, that was on the JD and nothing dangerous as long as we didn't miss the takeout. That was a first for me. Glad it wasn't on the D!!
We fished HARD. I fished my old 12'6" Allen 7wt spey with the Rio Skagit Max Launch 475gr most of the time, but both fish hooked were on the 11'6" 7wt Chromer switch with Commando Pure 400gr. I usually had on a medium MOW 2.5' T-11 tip. Also skated a couple runs first, but no go.
Mitch fished his brand new, and completely gorgeous, 11' 7wt SHS OPST rod with a 325gr Commando head and a custom 2.5' sink tip. He made it look like a delightful setup.
So no fish pics, but a great trip.
Don't go in my beer!
Oops! Did I mention the strong winds?
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