Let's Hear Your Steelhead Stories

[fishpro]

Just a thread to talk about steelhead we've caught and share some pictures. I'll start.

 

Last summer I took a trip up to the Skeena region to hit the salmon runs and then hopefully get into an early steelhead or two. Throughout my trip in late July and the first half of August I mostly fished the Kitimat for chums, but spent 4 days or portions there of on the lower Skeena hoping to get into a steelhead. Of these 4 days, three of them were completely fishless, while one produced a small dolly and a pink salmon. The chum were getting moldy down on the Kitimat and the coho weren't coming in strong yet, and I hadn't landed a steelhead yet, so I decided to dedicate the last 3.5 days of my trip to changing that.

 

I went into one of the local tackle shops for some tips and a license, and soon was on my way to a run on the Copper River. I spent much of that first afternoon and evening without a hit. I had however lost about ten flies due to snags (too heavy of a sink tip). It was almost dark, and after one snag that I just barely got free I had a hit and I made a solid hook set knowing I most likely had my first steelhead ever on the line. However it only lasted a couple seconds and my 20lb leader broke (weakened on the snag). Go to shore, re-rig, then back into the run where I was. A few casts later I get another hit, and I managed another solid hookset, but after the last break off I didn't fight the fish hard enough and lost it shortly after. I fished another 20 minutes until it was dark then headed back to my van. Somehow I was able to sleep that night with my mind racing through every almost every emotion a fisherman can experience - frustration, determination, excitement, wondering how tomorrow will turn out.

 

So the next morning I got up and headed to the same pool. It was a little after 7:30 that I waded into the head of the run under a thick fog. I started the rhythm that any steelhead angler knows - cast, swing, step, repeat. Within a couple minutes I had a hit and got a solid hookset. This one stayed on, so I yelled out "fish on" as there was another angler fishing the bottom of the pool. He made his way up to where I was as I fought this fish, knowing it was most likely a steelhead. The fight was unlike any I'd had before, everything seemed to be happening in high speed - the runs were fast, then I'd retrieve quickly as the fish made its way towards me, and then would run again straight into the middle of the river just as fast as before, not to mention my heart was absolutely pounding. As I got the fish close I could see it was a very good fish, and the guy who was there kept saying "holy s*** that's a good fish". He said he would let me tail it myself, cause that way I would have no one to blame but myself if I lost it. I asked if he'd be able to take a picture once I landed it, and he told me to not even talk about pictures yet as I was yet to land it. Did I mention my heart was pounding? After a few more minutes of fighting the fish closer in, I managed to barely get my hand around it's tail. I had done it, I landed my first steelhead.

 

After a few quick pictures I let this incredible creature continue its journey, and I made my way back to shore to sit down and calm my nerves. I checked the time, it wasn't even 8:00 yet and my day had already been made.

 

[SilverDoctor]

Absolutely wonderful, thanks for posting. It’s been many years since I've been able to trek out for those Cromers, great to see and read you story.

[pkk]

That's a big fat pig! Nice first.

[McLeod]

 

Very Nice ! Thanks for sharing...

[bcubed]

hey dustin, nice fish

 

 

 

and your inbox is full!

[Jayhad]

man that's a fat fish

[fishinglibin]

I have only caught one on the Fraser, and I was delighted, but yours is more of a hog. Beauty.

[fishpro]

Thanks everyone! And I've cleaned out my inbox.

[matt1984]

Nice, catch it on a 5 weight?

[fishpro]

Nice, catch it on a 5 weight?

LOL nope, 9 weight...

[troutlover]

Well done great story and determination.

[RedBeard]

Great story, awesome fish! Thanks for sharing!

[monger]

Great story Dustin. That's a serious fish!

[darrinhurst]

Awesome story and an awesome fish! My only steelhead story is that I have gone out once for them, and got skunked. Can't wait for the next trip.

[dutchie]

thanks for sharing such a great story , i enjoyed every bit of it , and that picture tops it all off , big stunning fish

 

nothing like the very first one , , kinda like your first roll in the hay , you'll never forget it

[DonAndersen]

More than 15 years ago a friend Ron from BC attempted to get me to fish the Dean River for steelhead. And I refused year after year telling him that investing 10 days into a wild goose chase was a poor use of my limited vacation days.

And then along came retirement 11 years ago and a phone call in mid-Febuarary from Ron saying he needed $700. Well, Ron if he needs $700 - he needs $700. Then he springs it on me. The $700 was the downpayment required to hold a seat with the Totems for a week on the Dean.

Then the planning began. Tying and plotting but I had no rod of the type needed. Sure I've got some Orvis and Sage 8 wts. but I wanted to fish bamboo.

Ron then springs on me - why don't you fish a rod I have. He went along to explain that John Bokstrom had built for his best friend Bill Young a rod just for fishing steelhead and I could borrow it. But the story doens't end there. Ron has acquired the rod from Bill's widow. So now it's passing to me. The best part, John, Bill, Ron and I are all friends. So the "Friends Rod" rod went fishing for a week. Likely the last time it will get wet for a while as Ron is into the Spey thing. At any rate, the rod accounted for 7 to the beach.

There is probably no better way to honor friendship.

 

regards,

 

Don

[Hawgstoppah]

Just dreaming of steelhead .... thanks for starting this one off Dustin.

 

I hear the world Steelhead and my thoughts immediately turn to foggy river early dawn... ripe with anticipation of the first pass through a run....

 

bears on the riverbanks, the smell of rotting salmon, and the screaming reel after a heart pounding take.

 

[fishinglibin]

Holy Crap, another fine example. What a beauty of a hog, Hogstoppah.

[SamIam]

That is awesome for a first steelie. You will fish for those for the rest of your life, and there won't be too many that size.