First Solo Steelhead!!

[boneaddict]

There's an old adage......100 hours of fishing before you catch your first steelhead.   I know a lot of folks that have pushed that learning curve beyond that limit.   Congrats.

[duchunter]

Good job!!!

[trippledigitss]

There's an old adage......100 hours of fishing before you catch your first steelhead.   I know a lot of folks that have pushed that learning curve beyond that limit.   Congrats.

Yeah I believe that one for sure. What made it even worse is back in late 07 when I first really started trying I took a guided trip with my Dad and my 7yr old son. My Dad (who claimed steelhead were just a myth, after fishing for them for years and never getting one) got a nice one early on and then later my boy caught 24# buck, just a gorgeous, gorgeous fish. A 24# fish as a first ever steelhead!?!  Oh and I tell ya, I've never heard the end of it since... There I was setting the hook every time my lead hit a rock, and he says 'I think there is something on here' and hands the rod to the guide to check. Guide says, 'yeah you got a fish on there, you probably been dragging him for the last mile' and hands the rod back to him. 

My boy even had this unimpressed 'old salt' look on his face when I brought this little hen home. "oh you finally got one huh? Nice" from his slightly snarled little lips.... But I wasnt gonna let that little turd ruin my glory moment! HELL YEAH I FINALLY GOT ONE BOY!

[boneaddict]

My wife did the same thing with about an 18 pounder in the Methow.   First cast. BOOM!   I was watching the fish  and was the guide, so there was some satisfaction to it. but still.....some things just need to be earned.

[trippledigitss]

"some things just need to be earned"

Thats funny! 

Here is the pic of my boy's fish. I sprayed out the guide's face, for some reason he didnt like it last time I posted it online? I dont know why I covered my boy's face... guess I was having too much fun with the little spray can thing?   

[Woodchuck]

Good lord that's a nice fish, congrats to him.

[trippledigitss]

Yeah isnt it? Thanks Woodchuck! I love the colors on it. We took some quick measurements really fast and then turned it loose. I was going to have a mount made for him seeing how it was his 1st fish and such a dang nice one but I was getting quotes in the $1200-1500 range at the Sportsmans Show and that was a bit much for my taste. Oh well, maybe someday.... I wouldnt want it unless they could match that beautiful color and pointed beak to a T!

[Stickerbush]

Whats good gear to use for up there? Im going to head up there soon

[BOWHUNTER45]

thats a dandy 

[wingsandwilds]

really nice steel.....really nice.  Below the Wallace?

[trippledigitss]

Whats good gear to use for up there? Im going to head up there soon

Most people are floating jigs but you see some guys drifting corkies and a few spoons too. I was using 1/8oz  pink or pink/white feather tail (not yarn tail) Aerojig under a 3/8oz or 1/4oz float and adding weight. Seems when I use an 1/8oz float it is too light and doesnt drift or cast as well as the heavier stuff - but I am also using Hydrofloat line and it casts like crap if you ask me. Then I tipped it with a small chunk of plain tiger prawn from the grocery store.

I went up there again yesterday - and there was like one guy there in the morning then about 15-20 when I left around noon - but I was using a dark blue jig since the water was so clear. Got a nice 15# chum but that was it.

[trippledigitss]

really nice steel.....really nice.  Below the Wallace?

Thanks wings and Bow45. That big one that my son caught was on the nooch a few years ago. Mine - the little one on page one - I got up at Reiter above the fish inlet (or creek outlet) (way above the Wallace)

[_TONY_]

Nice little summerrun...