First steelhead

[mdunc8]

A few buddies and I had planned on heading to the Olympic Peninsula for a few days of steelheading but got rained out at the last minute. We decided to head to Idaho instead and were rewarded with a few nice fish. The fishing was great the day we got there, but slowed down pretty quickly. We all hooked into several steelhead and two of the guys caught a bull trout. I managed my first steelhead, a beautiful 31" wild fish, only 30 minutes into the trip. Already looking forward to next year.

 

[JCS]

Nice. Any pictures of the bull trout?

 

[PFUNK]

That's a beauty of a fish. Congrats on the successful trip.

 

[BuzzH]

I dont know whether to say congrats or I'm sorry...

Steelhead/Salmon fishing is a dangerously addictive sport...before you know it you'll be heavily invested and doing some crazy stuff to feed the addiction. I cant believe sometimes the crazy drives we did on highway 12 to get to Orofino to fish...I'm surprised I'm still alive to write about it.

Oh...and there really isnt a cure or 12 step program that will help...other than "one" more cast.

Thats the one thing I did while living in Montana that I really truly miss...salmon and steelhead in Idaho.

 

[mdunc8]

Nice. Any pictures of the bull trout?

No. I wasn't one of the fortunate ones to catch a bull and wasn't even around to see them in person.

 

[bmack]

Good work Mike. Sucks you got rained out on the original plans. Heading to the OP tomorrow for some mid-week action.

 

[kansasdad]

Imagine the number of fish you could have caught if you brought your "lucky hat"!!

Nice fish.....color me jealous.

 

[mdunc8]

Imagine the number of fish you could have caught if you brought your "lucky hat"!!

I know, right?!? Unfortunately it was in 60's, so I was forced to leave the hat in the truck.

 

[idnative1948]

Great! Good to see your photos again! Have been tying like crazy, but trying to get the Mrs back on two good legs. Two weeks, hopefully and then back on the river....

 

[mdunc8]

Pink eggs were the ticket. I believe we also caught two on purple streamers. We tried throwing everything in the box, but nothing else seemed to work.

 

[Mica Man]

Nice looking salmon river steelie! Got to love catching them with a fairy stick and a fly. You using a 7 or 8 wt wand?

 

[1_pointer]

Congrats! They are fun once you catch them. Unfortunately for me there was a very disproportionate ratio of fishing to catching...

 

[devon deer]

Many congrats, i must get over and try it one day, looks a bit chilly though!
Cheers
Richard

 

[mtlion]

I saw those on FB and thought that water looked familiar. Congrats! I may be heading over this weekend. Buzz is right, it's a hard habit to shake.

 

[brownbear932008]

Awesome catch I'm offically jealous!

 

[jryoung]

A few buddies and I had planned on heading to the Olympic Peninsula for a few days of steelheading but got rained out at the last minute.

Rain? On the OP? Really?

Glad it all worked out for you.

 

[mdunc8]

Rain? On the OP? Really?

The radar was purple.

 

[mdunc8]

Nice looking salmon river steelie! Got to love catching them with a fairy stick and a fly. You using a 7 or 8 wt wand?

A wrong-handed 8wt.

 

[mtlion]

A wrong-handed 8wt.

Been using an 8 weight for years, just picked up a 9 after watching my buddy manhandle them with his 9/10 last year. I was averaging 25% landing to hooking while he was hitting more like 75%.

 

[mdunc8]

I landed nearly 70% while fishing right handed (I'm a lefty), so that makes me a much better fisherman than you. Suck it.