So it's that time of year again, the time I hate the most. It's time for me at least to put a wrap on my winter steelhead season. Yeah there are still some freshies coming up but for me the fun is gone. I don't want to hook downers or mistakenly fish over spawners to find the few fresh fish coming up. Most of which are hens and I just feel they should be let to do what they need to. My season on the coast was mediocre at best and the same as the inland rivers. We saw some good days but, as last year it was pretty tough. But you still gotta love it, when you do get one they're usually the fish you fish for all year. So when you land a few winters on the swing they rarely disappoint and you can take satisfaction in that you chose the hard road to hook your fish.

So cheers to the winter fish that burn through my veins all summer, till we meet again...

Many of you have seen the little movie Ryan Peterson put together of dry fly fishing in the summer, right. If not...

http://www.vimeo.com/3375725

Ryan has been dedicated to getting the goods, as much as the most avid of steelheaders. Most trips he wouldn't even bring a rod or flies or anything else fishing related. I think we got some really good footage, and it's up to Ryan to make it presentable which I have no doubt he will. Should be good.

 Some shots of recent trips...

 So all is not bad, this is the time of year I get to have an actual life, or one that is accepted by society. The "cold beers" are calling from the bars and live music has definitely been on hold too long.

Rich

This shot was taken at The Forks boat ramp. Pretty f' ' n cool.  Thank who ever you believe in that it started March 1st, cause there are not very many new fish around and the river is gonna need every one of them.

I searched the runs that usaully hold fish at these flows to no avail. The river seemed void of fish, even scouted some upriver runs that always hold a few, nothing. It is rare that I don't see anything in these runs. Fished anyway cause you don't always see them when they are chrome, nothing. Contemplated calling it a season on the river that is like a bad relationship you just can't seem to get out of. Full of highs and the lowest lows. But unlike a bad relationship this is steelheading and the highs definetly out way the lows. The days are getting longer and I thought this might be the last time I get over twelve hours of sleep, yes when I'm fishing with just Bo I'll hit the sack when it gets dark. Try it sometime, it's awesome.

The next morning started out the same, not seeing a thing in water that always has'em. Fished through one of the most productive peices of water that I know, nothing.

 Scratched my head and had a smoke break. No, not the kind you're thinking of. Just straight up tobacco, honest. Smoke finished, changed to a bigger fly and gave it another go.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Got this hen on one of those casts you'd normally pull back, it just kinda piled out there. But as a good client of mine would say " mend that shit out and fish it.", I did. Cheers to you Moll. This hen ran to the tailout and threaten to leave, with a tail slap she dove into a tiny seam and held. Chased her down and after some up close and personal cartwheels and a fight that was like a stuck bee in beer can, I tailed her. With that I drove up river to a sweet tailout, grabbed a beer and smoke.

With beer and smoke complete, I tipped my brimmed beanie to this fish and called it a season on the coast.

Rich