Post by: trippledigitss on December 04, 2011, 05:31:56 PM
After about 4yrs of trying and untold $$$ on guided trips, gear, etc etc....
I have lost several before and landed a few handoffs - but this is the FIRST steelhead I've got on my own! (and on my brand spanking new Fetha Styx rod too!)
I went up to Reiter this morning with a couple of buddies and got there @ 0600. I really do not like to fish there with everyone in the state, but.... whaddya gonna do? :dunno: I'm sure they'd rather fish there w/o me too! :chuckle:
Anyway, its still dark out and there is already at least 20 guys there fishing with glo sticks on floats. I couldnt see crap, nothing, but I was drifting a float/jig and felt a good bump less than 5-10mins in the water but figured I was crossed or something. So I held up to wait for light. Less than 5min later and 2 guys down from me (about 10yds) this guy hooks one right in front of me, right about where I think my gear was when I felt the 'bump'. Oh I was not real happy. Then I turn my back for 30secs and another dude squeezes in. So... kinda pissed I moved upstream just about 1st light. Fished there for about 30min, snagged, broke off - turned to re-tie, guess what, some guy snuggles up right freaking next to me. I know thats the way it is up there - but I freaking hate it. So I move way up, above everyone, at least 50yds. 2nd cast, fish on! I'm all happy thinking I finally got my 1st steelie! Fight & get it in, CHUM...wah wah wahhhh.... :fishin: Keep fishing, less than 5-6min later, bobber down, fish on, almost the exact same place so I'm thinking I got that damn chum again! But nope, it was a nice little 22" hat hen, (maybe summer run :dunno:) blush on the cheeks and down the sides. I had two other good takedowns too but missed them both.... :DOH: :ACRY:
Long story, longer, finally after about 4yrs of trying and untold $$$ (and a brand new fetha styx rod) I FINALLY got my 1st steelhead! :IBCOOL: Damn it felt good!
Post by: Stickerbush on December 04, 2011, 05:37:23 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on December 04, 2011, 05:57:40 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on December 04, 2011, 05:58:32 PM
Post by: trippledigitss on December 04, 2011, 06:02:54 PM
Oh and it would have probably happened sooner if you has a lamiglas in your hands :tung: Just teasing had to do it :chuckle:
HA! Oh hey - I tried one of everything! :dunno: I got a couple Lami's, Loomis, St Croix, Shimano..... Hey I was desperate! But the Fetha Styx finally sealed the deal! :chuckle: Now I'm sold! I told you the story about all the gear I bought just to shoot a damn coyote didnt I!?! :chuckle:
..... its the OCD in me that takes over! :dunno:
Post by: carpsniperg2 on December 04, 2011, 06:08:47 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on December 04, 2011, 06:24:28 PM
Post by: jeepguy on December 04, 2011, 06:52:15 PM
Post by: kbyers on December 04, 2011, 06:55:29 PM
Post by: CountryslickR on December 04, 2011, 06:56:17 PM
Post by: Bone_Collector on December 05, 2011, 07:34:29 AM
B_C
Post by: trippledigitss on December 05, 2011, 08:41:17 AM
GEEEEZ I hope you plan on doing alot of fishing :chuckle: nice fish :tup:
Yeah tell me about it! :chuckle: And now I decided to get into trap shooting??? :bdid: But I got a KILLER DEAL on this Fetha Styx rod - its a 9' 6" med power, light action spinning rod - one of their True Hero Salmon/Steelhead rods, normally like $279 (Dougs in Woodinville is selling the same rod for $199) for $83+ tax! :yike: I bought it straight from Fetha at their Redmond office. They said they just have too many and want to get rid of them to make room for more rods. I bought the police edition in blue, since the reel I put on it is blue - but they have a fire edition in red too and the blank is silver and its looks really cool. I might get another one. I think its a sweet rod, looks really nice too.... and as a few of you know already, in the end, thats all I'm worried about.... :chuckle: I want my gear to look nice 1st and catch fish 2nd. I know, I know, its a sickness....I'm blaming OCD again! :chuckle: My buddy likes to hassle me and say I look like a "guy on pg52 of the Cabelas catalog" :chuckle: ... I havent seen this "guy" but I'll take it as a compliment! :chuckle:
Post by: trippledigitss on December 05, 2011, 08:43:22 AM
hey thats great some good eating. :tup:
Yeah Jeep - the wife broiled her up last night and the 5 of us dined well. I even ate a good sized chunk and I dont even like trout or salmon unless its smoked. The family loves it but me, not so much... but it was pretty dang good - I know it was fresh!
Hey thanks again fellas! :tup:
Post by: johng on December 05, 2011, 05:29:20 PM
I know about the time put in along with the $$$... not to mention the situation at Reiter. This will be my third season chasing the elusive steelhead so I pray I am due.
Cheers,
Jg
Post by: trippledigitss on December 05, 2011, 08:42:07 PM
Post by: boneaddict on December 05, 2011, 08:45:29 PM
Post by: duchunter on December 05, 2011, 09:17:05 PM
Post by: trippledigitss on December 06, 2011, 08:37:06 AM
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!?! :yike: 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. :bash:
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!
Post by: boneaddict on December 06, 2011, 02:21:24 PM
Post by: trippledigitss on December 06, 2011, 04:24:03 PM
Thats funny! :chuckle:
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? :dunno:
Post by: Woodchuck on December 06, 2011, 04:41:30 PM
Post by: trippledigitss on December 06, 2011, 06:04:08 PM
Post by: Stickerbush on December 08, 2011, 06:56:05 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on December 08, 2011, 07:02:11 PM
Post by: wingsandwilds on December 08, 2011, 08:47:39 PM
Post by: trippledigitss on December 08, 2011, 08:53:59 PM
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.
Post by: trippledigitss on December 08, 2011, 08:55:53 PM
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)
Post by: _TONY_ on December 16, 2011, 02:01:04 PM