The North has been a lot of fun so far this year. The fishing has been up and down, but I've been having a really good time with my dudes. The first guide day of the summer season, I'm always a bit nervous, wondering if I'm ready(or if I still want to guide). I still remember the day when I said I'd never guide and I hated guides. Never say never, right? But, since I've become one, it has been a lot of fun. And spending a day with someone new to the sport or to the river and sharing my love of the river and it's beauty is truly awesome. And catching a steelhead isn't so bad either.
We've seen some pretty spectacular rises and landed some amazing fish. It is really hard to explain the awesomeness of a steelhead rising to the dry fly. But we have seen all forms this summer, from just a head poking out, a surging boil or an erratic chase downstream to just an explosion and my favorite the complete out of the water "gimme that". If I can say just one thing, "don't jerk", when you see any form of rise, you'll be rewarded.
Chris has spent a few weekends on the North without a touch for the past 3 to 4 years. Chris got his start in spey casting in an intro class that myself and Evan Unti put on, on the Rogue. It was nice to see Marto come full circle, he's now a great caster and it paid off. If only he didn't jerk so much.
The fishing in early July was pretty spectacular, it has since slowed down. I'm hoping these cooler temperatures we've seen lately will allow some fish to move up. I've had some blank days already and for this time of year, this is the toughest I've seen it, but if you put in the time and fish fast and hard you usually can find at least one. Fingers are crossed.
Rich