Steelhead Flies

Glimpses

in

Knowingly driving away from a river for the season, sometimes saying goodbye for months on end, is a tough one. Every river has its own soul and the fish that return to them very much do as well. The question "what's your favorite river?" comes up nearly everyday. There's no right or wrong answer to this, but I don't think I'll ever be able to choose just one. The fall season's still hanging on but those drives away are coming, if they haven't already happened.

Last of October
Last of October
November skies
November skies
Native blush
Native blush
Smokeless
Smokeless
Bob Schaefer with a dandy.
Bob Schaefer with a dandy.
Chris B
Chris B
Redtail
Redtail
October evening
October evening
First on the top, not a jerk in sight even as this hen came out of the water downstream after it. Great job Genevieve
First on the top, not a jerk in sight even as this hen came out of the water downstream after it. Great job Genevieve
Rick Davis hiding his smile after this hen cart-wheeled 9 times
Rick Davis hiding his smile after this hen cart-wheeled 9 times
Friends once again
Friends once again
.
.
Dinner
Dinner
Gasshopper
Gasshopper
The great blue getting personal
The great blue getting personal
Nothing beats your first, but how many can say their first came on a dry?
Nothing beats your first, but how many can say their first came on a dry?
Big Dave getting after them again.
Big Dave getting after them again.
Peter Heitman
Peter Heitman
Morning bronze
Morning bronze
Craw-baby
Craw-baby
Sundowner
Sundowner
River camo
River camo
Exit-entry
Exit-entry
Chuck Volkhausen, so shiny, so chrome.
Chuck Volkhausen, so shiny, so chrome.
Cutty
Cutty
The circle of life
The circle of life
Big skies in the valley
Big skies in the valley
"Fish is coming" Mr. Matsuda with a beauty
"Fish is coming" Mr. Matsuda with a beauty
Jim Brown could do no wrong in this spot. Promptly named "Jim's"
Jim Brown could do no wrong in this spot. Promptly named "Jim's"
On the drive away...
On the drive away...
Every once in awhile...thanks Jason Hartwick for a beautiful shot
Every once in awhile...thanks Jason Hartwick for a beautiful shot

Many, many thanks to everyone who spent time with me on the water. It was a great season.

Best,

Rich

Into the void

in ,

Winter has passed, short, damp, warm...damn. A hunger still growls for the low light and upstream coastal breezes with a hint of salt that bear a chill, unremedied until looking into the distant eye of a scarce quarry, when nothing else matters.

A hunger still growls for the low light and coastal breezes of faint salty breath that bears a chill, unremedied until looking into the distant eye of a scarce quarry, when nothing else matters.
A hunger still growls for the low light and coastal breezes of faint salty breath that bears a chill, unremedied until looking into the distant eye of a scarce quarry, when nothing else matters.

The winter run...

.
.
There's only one reason to take this wade line.
There's only one reason to take this wade line.
Joe Punla with the reason. A stunning hen with the fight to match, sometimes lady luck is on your side.
Joe Punla with the reason. A stunning hen with the fight to match, sometimes lady luck is on your side.
Chuck Hammerstad worked hard for this one.
Chuck Hammerstad worked hard for this one.
My winter waterfall into the river shot.
My winter waterfall into the river shot.
Cobra Lilies
Cobra Lilies
Found more of these this year than ever before. Pretty obvious adipose hack. A shame on a year when the returns were below average. Every one was called in and I did here DFG picked up a few poachers. Just not enough wardens out there.
Found more of these this year than ever before. Pretty obvious adipose hack. A shame on a year when the returns were below average. Every one was called in and I did here DFG picked up a few poachers. Just not enough wardens out there.
Dave Geisser approached the river in the right way, and she gave one up in the first run.
Dave Geisser approached the river in the right way, and she gave one up in the first run.
Morning glory
Morning glory
After a 20 yr hiatus, Gary Fuller with a ghostly hen.
After a 20 yr hiatus, Gary Fuller with a ghostly hen.
Right in there.
Right in there.
Say hello to my little friend.
Say hello to my little friend.
Fred Pendergast, no comment necessary.
Fred Pendergast, no comment necessary.
Anything better than pizza after winter steelhead? Treat yo'self
Anything better than pizza after winter steelhead? Treat yo'self
Rainbow Brite
Rainbow Brite
A big inland lady
A big inland lady
Who dat?
Who dat?
Keep 'Em Wet
Keep 'Em Wet
My brother from another mother, John Luis with clean buck.
My brother from another mother, John Luis with clean buck.
Chuck Volckhausen of Wild Waters Fly Fishing with a beauty
Chuck Volckhausen of Wild Waters Fly Fishing with a beauty
Easy to let go, hard to forget...
Easy to let go, hard to forget...

 

Many thanks to those who came fishing with me this winter. It was great to spend time on the water with you all. Looking forward to seeing many of you again this summer.

Into the void for now...

Rich