Steel

2012 F3T Official Selection

2012-01-27T12:58:00.000-08:00

More Lessons from Twenty-Eleven

2012-01-24T08:39:00.000-08:00

Inspired by Mike's list of lessons learned, I thought I might share my own. 2011 was a great year on and off the water. Here's to a great 2012 as well!

Take Care!
Matt

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In June, skiing is one of the more fun things you can do on the way to your fishing spot.

Photo: B. Chou

Sometimes, a single hander and a 30 foot cast will outfish a double hander and a 130 foot cast.

On the river, walk-off homeruns are awesome, and calling your walk-off shot is legendary.

NEVER give up.

Salmon do actually eat flies. If they are there, and you aren't getting bit, then you are probably doing something wrong and it's time to change it up.

A wild kelt may grab harder, run faster, and jump higher than a chrome fish fresh from the salt.

On any given day, a beginner can out-fish any experienced steelheader.

Long lines and long rods are fun as hell. OK, so that was a lesson I learned in 2001, but it's worth repeating. Give it a try in 2012!

After 10 years of steelheading, there is still A LOT to learn!

Another lesson I learned a long time ago... There is more to my version of the fishing life than steelheading.

Alaska was pretty much put on the Earth to make all of the fish and fishing we have down here look like stock-pond, corn-kernel-dunking lameness.

Megatron has no known weaknesses.

Having at least four rods rigged is sometimes a great idea.

Fly fishers come in all sorts and demeanors, and seem to express their personalities through their way of fishing. If you don't pay close attention, the loudmouthed egomaniacs may be the only ones that you ever notice.

Fly matters.

Fly doesn't matter.

Greed is a powerful and terrifying force.

Steelie Mike is the odds on favorite for Kelt King 2012.

My fishing buddies are all turning out to be even better dads and moms than steelheaders. If you've fished with these folks, you know that's something special. :)

Things Learned in 2011

2012-01-19T18:44:00.000-08:00

Eight inch flies in water without clarity, awesome!

Low water hairwings, love them.

Dryline grabs are addicting and forget about fishing anything but a dryline on the Deschutes.

Adding a little split shot is a lot easier then changing out a sinktip.

West side hatchery fish can be skated too.

Montana Trout fishing is pretty cool.

Divorce attorneys are crooks. Sorry Ben :)!

Fishing a dead horse that has been beaten by gear guys can still produce fish with traditional patterns and tactics.

If it makes sense, just do it!

Skating in the dark works.

Even if you end up hours late meeting your homies on the river.

Sometimes bro's before hoes doesn't count.

Guys from Idaho really do like to nymph the living crap out of runs and then sit in lawn chairs while their friends do the same. LAME!

Streamer fishing for trout sure can be a workout.

A dryline and steelhead in November can happen, even when under 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Change your damn fly when they won't return for another grab.

Watching your child catch a fish by themselves is more rewarding then catching hundreds yourself.

Cougar hunting is a lot easier then steelheading.

Josh Mills is a dork.

Jig fishing with a spinning rod is definitely not nymphing.

Riding a bike up and down a river in the summer really is the best workout an out of shape fishermen can find.

Longlines are fun as hell.

The ladies that work with Casting for a Recovery are wonderful and they are going great work.

Mia Sheppard is a riot!

Matt Klara is the Kelt King for 2011!

Festive gatherings are always a blast.

Tribute......Steelhead Camp

2012-01-12T13:47:00.000-08:00

Tribute..steelhead camp from Detonation Studios on Vimeo.

I love this! It so reminds me of the time I spend each Fall, West of the Cascades with good friends. Those trips are as much about fishing as they are with spending time with good friends.

2012-01-05T15:06:00.000-08:00

My favorite rod the Guideline LeCie with my favorite Mid-Belly Line the Guideline MMD. I can't wait for Spring to come.

Holiday Partay 2011!

2011-12-24T12:34:00.000-08:00

Keith Darnall and Andrea classing up the place once again.

The Holidays are always a great time to spend with friends and family and this year was no different. Last weekend we had a festive gathering bringing friends from throughout the country. Laughs, drinks, memories, fishing stories and holiday cheer filled my tiny home here in Camas, Washington. It was great to see everyone and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Brian Chou on the grill.

Jarrod Black representing a little more then Rajeff Sports.

Enjoying the festivities!

Embarrassing Mia, Priceless!

Sorry Marty :)!

Jeff Cotrell, Mia Sheppard, Brian Styskal and Marty Sheppard.

Chelsea Vanderpool, Nick English and my brother Joe laughing while talking about the first time I went fly fishing. .

Jeff Nelson making a chick drink for himself.

Kerry Burkheimer showing us kids how to really be a Rockstar.

Kasia and Justin Teegarden

Cheers

Merry Christmas from the Crew!

Hatchery Vs. Wild

2011-12-19T13:42:00.000-08:00

This is a summary of some of the issues of hatchery impacts on the productivity of wild salmon and steelhead. It is a interesting read as well as everything found on Bill Bakke's, Home Waters and Wild Fish.

HATCHERY SALMONID IMPACTS ON WILD SALMONIDS
By Bill Bakke

Naturally spawning hatchery fish from long term hatchery cultivation produce 6-11% to the adult stage compared to wild fish. ( Leider et al. 1989, Araki et al 2006)

In the first generation native broodstock hatchery fish (using wild steelhead for hatchery broodstock) the reproductive success of the hatchery fish spawning naturally in streams declines by 14% (males) and 2% (females) compared to wild fish spawning naturally in the river. (ISRP 2011)

In later generations (second and third) the reproductive success of native broodstock hatchery steelhead spawning naturally in streams is 50% (males) lower and 77% (females) lower than naturally spawning wild fish. (ISRP 2011)

There is a genetic change in the hatchery steelhead that carries over to naturally produced progeny of hatchery-origin parents causing reduced reproductive fitness of wild-born descendants in the wild and the population fitness of subsequent generations. (Araki et al. 2009, ISRP 2011)

In just 6 generations native broodstock hatchery steelhead reproductive success is 29% to 54% that of wild steelhead. (Berntson 2011)

In order to maintain cost effective hatchery programs, access to healthy abundant wild steelhead populations is required. (Based on research by Araki et al. 2008)

In order to protect and rebuild wild salmon and steelhead populations harvest targeted on hatchery fish must be regulated to protect wild spawner abundance, spawner abundance goals need to be adopted by species and watershed, hatchery transfers among watershed need to be eliminated, and naturally spawning hatchery fish need to be excluded from wild fish spawning areas. (Conclusions base on best available science)

Impacts of hatchery fish on wild fish must be controlled so that competition for food and space for rearing juveniles in streams and the estuary support wild fish survival, predation and predator attraction by hatchery fish is controlled to protect survival of wild fish, and nutrient enrichment targets from natural spawning wild fish support and expand the productive capacity of the habitat. (Conclusion based on best available science)

Competition between wild and hatchery fish spawning naturally in a common habitat can reduce the production of wild juveniles by 50% (Kostow 2004)

The cost to produce a hatchery steelhead that contributes to the catch is $200 to over $400 per fish harvested. Most hatchery programs funded with tax dollars are not cost effective, making the hatchery program vulnerable to loss of funding as hatcheries compete for funding with other social needs for available dollars. . (Hans Radtke 2011, IEAB 2000)

The Day With the Boys

2011-12-19T00:35:00.000-08:00

We each have a time in our lives when a date brings you back to memories of the past. Many years ago in December I lost the most important person in my life, my mother. A few years later on the same anniversary date I lost a good friend that took his own life.

When my mother passed, I became more of a recluse and for some reason started to go out in the winter looking for something. I thought it was my first steelhead, but later I found out it was a lot more. Several years later when one of my fishing buddies passed, I started to question life and why I was out there. At that time we had a close nit group of buddies. We jokingly called ourselves The Early Morning Freestone Pimps. This group name came from our good friend who was no longer with us. It took a long time for me and my buddies to get out fishing again, especially getting out together.

Now years have passed and we all got together from time to time, but this day or time of year was different and over the years we decided that it was important to remember that day together in the fashion best suiting this group of buddies. That would be of course fishing. It hasn't been all about fishing, more about getting together as you might expect, remembering our lost friend and for me my mother.

Mike Gamby, who you will recognize as one of the posters on this blog, is a a unique individual. Mike, a family man, works educating our youth promoting sports activities though Vancouver Parks and Recreation. Mike's one of those up beat guys that is as honest and straight forward as it gets. Over the years like mine his life has been blessed with children and time for fishing decreased. He however helped me realize how special it was to come home to happy faces and giggling children after a long day at work or on the river. Coach Mike as my daughter calls him from her days at the local recreational center still plays hockey and very soon might be drafted into the NHL, or at least into some Pee Wee league somewhere.

The only real flaw, though you may call it a blessing, is that Mike is not addicted to steelheading. Just saying!

Jaybird, Jay the Pirate, Boogie, Flip or Jay Johnson's life changed several times before finding a home with the Motiv Crew, Fly Fishing Film Tour and naked Airflo Fly Line advertisements. This dude asked me if I was Asian the first time I met him and after telling him I was half Filipino, I was adopted into his family.

Over the years life has changed for both of us and he now gets to live the dream we always talked about. So when Mikey and I got to his house the other day to spend the day on the river you would think this professional fly fishermen would be ready. Instead it was like it was so many years past. He couldn't find his shit. Seriously the dude couldn't find his gear. Like always there is gear all over the place and enough guns and ammo for the Zombie Apocalypse, but his wader bag was no wear in sight.

Of course we found a pair of moldy boots fresh with a layer of moss on them in the backyard, but they did not quite have the traction of the pair he used while traveling across the globe. So after some nicotine, a nap on the couch, playing fetch with Ruthless his dog, curing cancer and inventing a three handed fly rod, Jay finally found his wader bag. It only took two hours, but who needed time when Jay has a time machine.

After hitting the road and stopping by a greasy pot for breakfast, we slipped time back to 1669 and hiked down one of our old secret waters in search of a few early winter steelhead. It didn't take long to find them, but it sure took a long time to get one to take. After hiking up and down the stream we finally found a pod of fish that we could cast to and after we all took a crack at them I finally hooked up. While fighting the fish I turned to the boys just in time to hear Jay tell Mikey, "That sure looks like fun!" Classic comments like this throughout the years is what fishing with Jay is all about.

A few minutes later I was able to feed the Johnson household once again. Fishing wasn't the best part of the day, but catching a fish always helps. Take time to give thanks to your family and friends before you loose your chance and always remember and learn from those you lost. This is a time of the year for friends and family after all.

The Mighty "D".

2011-12-08T12:37:00.000-08:00

The Deschutes is a fickle little trout mistress.

Trout fishing here, in my opinion, is a LOT harder to do, than other rivers in the west.
Especially in the winter.
Even more so, because I am not a “regular” of the river.

But there is something that draws me there in December…
Is it the lack of crowds?
Is it the chance that you might “nymph up” a Steelhead?
Is it because those scary ass rattlers are not chasing me around, trying to eat my face?

I think it is a combination of all 3. Which is why I love fishing it in the winter.

When I go to a trout stream… I look at “fishy” places… in big riffles, behind boulders, broken water…. You know… all the places that you think trout “should be”.

But the Deschutes aint no “stream”. It is a big, big river. And it is intimidating.

From what I have heard, the Deschutes rule is…”back eddies and foam lines”.
Also, nymph, nymph, nymph. Bobbers and stoneflies, with little red worms.

But as a trout guy… You give me the opportunity to fish a dry, I will take advantage.

Enter my buddy Randall…. In my opinion, he knows this river. And he loves to fish a dry with old school fiberglass rods, and Pfleugers.

We just recently spend a beautiful cold sunny day over there, with no one on the river, clear water, and very little wind. And dry flies. All day.

Watching Randy fish this river, made me completely change the way I think about the Deschutes.

He is a stalker. He looks for fish first. And if you look hard enough, they are there.
He fishes eddies INSIDE of eddies, 3” from bank.

If he sees a foam line, he fishes it. As long as it’s extremely close to the bank.
It is a challenge to cast, to stalk, and to get a good drift. I love it.

And he is good at it.

And it completely changed the way I fish that river.

But I aint touching Fiberglass. I am an Echo guy. An extremely attractive Echo guy.
Just ask me.

Best of Catch Magazine Season III

2011-12-06T23:56:00.000-08:00

Early Winters

2011-12-04T21:31:00.000-08:00

December 1st marked my first real day of chasing Winter Steelhead. Had dinner and a few drinks with some friends the night before then headed home early in the morning, setting my alarm before I headed to bed. Waking up from REM sleep was a blurr and the next thing I new it was almost noon. Well shit, typical motivation and not remembering that I turned the alarm off, I started heading out the door, but before I made it down that steps I flipped a uie. I ended up tying some flies and got some shit done around the house. Typical, I can't ever get motivated to fish for early winters, much less those Chambers Creek retarded hatchery fish that show up this time of year.

This early returning strain of midget winters have fed hatchery rivers throughout Washington for years. This is the same strain that the Elwah tribe decided was a good idea to introduce to the Elwah now that the dams are gone. These fish are not known for great fights, being good biters, being large or having many fins when they arrive back at their native streams. Still when Rome, follow the Romans or dig into the American Commercialized version of Christmas. Trampling people at the department store can be fun too.

Day two was a little different. After picking up Dr Bill on the long drive to the river we were greeted with way too many people in the dark. Still we were there and if anything it had been a while since I got out. After a few hours with nothing to show for it, I cut off that damn indicator. I just have a hard time getting into nymphing after swinging flies all summer and fall. With a Echo Ion and an Airflo Six Sense (The best nymphing line for those who use spey casts!!!), I didn't have a tip small enough for this mini Delta to turn over, so I pulled out the cheap tip. You know, a split shot. Seriously a few casts later I was into my first fish on a caballero. One of them micro chromers that fought better then the other fish I tangled with that day.

Dr Bill continued to nymph, picking up his first of the year as well. He brought his lab Rocky with him and that dog doesn't like fish. It was funny as hell to see and chased every fish he saw. It was probably detrimental to our fishing, but hell, who cares, when your number is up, its up.

Wish we had Chums to chase like these down here. It was nice to see a few of them still around though they will not be around for long.

Fishing Redds in Idaho

2011-12-04T18:31:00.000-08:00

Here is a fine example of why late season steelheading on the East Side should be closed. You can see the huge redd they are fishing, not to mention the fish chasing the hooked fish everywhere. Why the hell did this get put on the internet and especially with the Silver Creek guide's name on it.

Goldfish

2011-11-30T14:56:00.000-08:00

GOLDFISH from Detonation Studios

More work done by Detonation Studios, Ian Majszak and Bryan Gregson.

Bacon Lube

2011-11-30T12:38:00.001-08:00

Cause I aint fishing until tomorrow and its a good rod cleaner.

Blogging

2011-11-22T11:29:00.001-08:00

Tim Rajeff Lookalike Contest

2011-11-13T02:51:00.000-08:00

Straight from Rajeff Sports, check it out:

Is it worth shaving your head for a chance at an Echo Rod of your choice? Or deadlifting 100lb dumbbells often enough to develop Tim's Hulk-like forearm physique? How about rocking supertight running shorts and hanging out at the local Tiki Bar? Only you can answer the above conunhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifdrum and if you've ever been to a flyfishing tradeshow, there are a lot of folks out there who'd do much weirder things for a free rod. Given Tim has long-stated being a hair dresser to the stars is a dream of his, well here's your chance to get your shave on and truly "Be Like Tim" (just don't challenge him to any casting contests). Let your imagination carry you away on this one. No limit on number of entries, all we ask is that you make it fun, imaginative, and respectful.

*All entries must be emailed to contests@rajeffsports.com in .jpg format and as high a resolution as possible. Contest deadline is 12:01am January 16th, 2012. The winning image will become property of, and all rights of use to Rajeff Sports, LLC.

Check out Echo Fly Fishing's new website.

Last Roadtrip of the Year

2011-11-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

To make a long story short, one could not turn water into wine and instead turned it into cold Coors Light. The cold fertile waters of the Skeena will have to wait until another year when wallet is filled with more then receipts. The plan changed to a roadtrip to visit some buddies in Montana, catch a Brown Trout before it finds a Fall Partner then go visit some river in Idaho where pigmy steelhead have to travel 600 plus miles to get to.

Tamarack in the Hills of Montana.

The short cold Fall days turned to the beginning of Winter in the Rockies and the drive slowed to the pace of snow and ice filled passes and rollovers. Seeing good friends along the way and staying in towns along the way made the drive seem shorter and the lack of tourists made the scenery in Fall colors a different perspective of what I have seen while making fishing trips in the Spring and Summer months.

Ian Majszak lecturing us on good photography.

Each day brought a different river and scenery to the menu. The trout seemed to target the same thing specifically no matter where we were. Fish were caught and good times were had. Though after a few days and seeing freezing guides every morning I could not help but look into the future and what this winter will bring while in search of Winter Steelhead that are just starting to trickle in on the West side of the Cascades.

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout from a Montana Spring Creek. Note the talon marks from a raptor.

With the weather turning colder and a forecast of 15 degree in the location in Idaho, we made yet another change of plans to yet another venue and one I know well. After yet another long drive through two states we found ourselves on the big river once again. We spent a couple days enjoying the last fruits of Fall then came home to the smiles of our families.

Rick Matney with a Montana Steelhead. If lake run rainbows in the Great Lakes are Steelhead, then this lake run fish in Montana is no different.

Though not the trip I was looking forward to and planning for a year, getting out of Dodge before Seasonal Effective Disorder set in was a must, and like always, lots of things were learned on the river and road to make it worth the carbon footprint.

Classic wets still work just under the surface in the cold!!!

I Guess He Wanted it!

2011-11-09T00:21:00.000-08:00

So there I was fishing in the dark the other fight trying to cover water in a boulder field. Water temps were down and working through the run I kept snagging up. Lame as hell really so looking at my tip wallet I went to an old SA clear intermediate that I could not get the curls out of (bullshit PVC crap). While taking five feet per swing I kept tripping on the boulders in the dark as I stepped through the run. Then all of a sudden my line stopped and instead of dropping a loop I just raised the rod thinking it was another boulder then it was there. Weird as hell take and even more so when I found my Fall Favorite in the back of its mouth. Oh well this Buck thirty went to the dinner table. Great end to already good day on the Eastside.

Steelhead Camp Part 2

2011-10-29T00:17:00.000-07:00

Justin Koller working the run.

It is always nice coming home to water you know well, though this year with rain and wind it wasn’t the same and challenging in new ways. Fishing the same water for years, the water conditions this year was not the same. Water clarity was not as good and water flow was almost twice that of years past and thus lies and patterns learned over the years changed. Fish were still in many of the same places, but consistency with a dry line was not the same and methods were needed to change over the days to find what we were looking for.

Keith picking my pocket like always.

Day one brought many fish to a dry line and even the surface, but as the water rose and the clarity started to change the fish were moving though in waves. It was not consistent and by the second day, much of the water that held fish did not hold as many the next day, or at least did not come to the consistency of anything with peacock and gold like years past. Still fish were found, but tactics and fly size really started to become a factor.

I got hammered three times skating this little one in pocket water before bringing this one to the beach.

By day three large flies were the ticket but as the clarity started to come back we were able to find more productive holding lies and dry lines started to come back into play. Day four produced the same and by the time my father and I left, it was perfect. Fish were there and starting to hold more consistently.

One of several fish my dad caught.

Despite drinking less and being first on the water, each day just seemed shorter then in years past. Sharing water with my father and good friends was a blast. My dad finally got to see why I travel around the Pacific Northwest in search of these anadromous trout and he even got to catch a few in the process. Watching his hands tremble while holding up his first steelhead was well worth the price of admission and a memory I will always remember.

Josh Mills from Chucking Line and Chasing Tail lighting up the place.

The traditional last day skated fish on a new creation.

More Work On Condit Dam's Removal

2011-10-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

This is awesome and it is happening today! Check it out, White Salmon Restored!

Pacific Northwest Fly Tyers Rendezvous

2011-10-24T17:16:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Fly Tying Rendezvous will be on Saturday, November 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sam Cox Building, Glen Otto Park, 1106 E. Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, Oregon 97060. This is the same building as last year. There will be many of the N.W. best tyers tying their best flies. No better place to learn the latest techniques in fly tying. Admission is free so bring your family and friends. There will be tables setup for a silent auction with 50+ dozen flies and lots of fly fishing equipment. Food will be available on the premises as well. Have fun!

Check out the Pacific Northwest Fly Tyers Rendezvous.

Shamburg's at it Again

2011-10-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

Got a text last week from my good buddy Mark Shamburg. You remember the bamboo spey making, machinist who likes to make his own click pawl reels and who caught a Spring Chinook on his birthday in January a few years past. Well he is off in the British Columbia wonderland slaving away on the river. The quality craftsmanship of his work is amazing and he sent me some pictures the other day of the fruits of his labor. I can't wait to make it up there. Hmmm..........maybe next week.

Mark with the first fish on his trip and the first on his new grass rod and Shammy Reel.

Quick Klick Float

2011-10-23T23:51:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was able to take my daughter Lillian out to visit our good friends Jeff and Jan Cottrell in Klickitat, Washington. Jeff's been fishing the Klickitat for decades and spending time with them has always been more then spending time on the river. Jeff and Jan have been like family to me for years. This last year my daughter got to spend some quality time with them. Last week my daughter asked me if they were going to forget her since they had not seem them in months. So of course with a weekend off and a boat in dry dock, I knew this was a great opportunity to get out.

After eating the usual gourmet dinner at their place on Saturday, we slept in Sunday morning. The Klickitat River this time of year is crowded and this year it has been a downright zoo. There are over a dozen fly shops and outfitters both fly and gear that are guiding on the river these days. Though most of the Chinook Salmon are on the beds already, it prime time for Silvers. Whoopie, but the omelet hatch is on that thus the bobber brigade is out in force.

Now this is prime time to skate a fly. October caddis are out in force, water and air temperature is perfect, yet with the amount of pressure on the river, you got a chance in hell bringing one of them to the surface. Its a crying shame and the asshats trying to pump it with more hatchery Steelhead and non native Silvers, it may get worse.

Photo: Jan Cotrell

At any rate we had a great little float. The Klickitat in the Fall is breathtaking and the weather was perfect. The best part of the day was seeing my daughter connect once again with my good friends and see that Mother Nature is fun for both girls and boys. It also nice to know she will always want to go back to Klickitat, which means I will indeed get some water time with her in the future.

Oh yeah and the pumpkins, I don't know. There were scattered in every good nymphing and yes swinging spot on the river. I figure one of the fly guides was marking his spots for the newbie guides following behind him. It would figure anyway and yes Lillian took one home.

Steelhead Camp Part 1

2011-10-19T23:48:00.001-07:00

Keith Darnall and my old lab Sage taking a break.

Our Fall annual Steelhead camp this year was a lot different then in past years. Usually we try and spend at least a week on the Dry Side fishing on several different rivers and this year only allowed for a short window to be spent in these different locations. Also for the first time I was able to take my father on this yearly pilgrimage.

My father, an old vet who grew up trolling for walleye in Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa could never really get the hang of fly fishing. Though he has caught a fair share of fish in Alaska on the fly, he has always been intimidated by casting the single hander and leery of trying to cast the spey rod. So this year with the help of friends who fish gear, we were able to outfit him with semi appropriate equipment for salmon and steelhead fishing.

Not ever catching a steelhead on gear, I only have a modest knowledge of how to catch one with such equipment. Also knowing the etiquette of the river and knowing how he listens to his youngest son, I was not sure how this trip was going to pan out for him, not to mention the odd amount of stress I had knowing I wanted him to catch fish and have a good time, while I had to try and help him do something I had never been successful at.

So after a long night of driving and a nap we found ourselves with some good friends on the Clearwater River. Like all good tourist in the area we decided to drive up the river, visit Poppy at the Red Shed and get our licensees and tribal permits. After feeling like we wasted the morning we finally got a swingable run in the lower river. The sun was on the water and fish were in the area because several boats kept on catching them just upstream of us. After working the run for a few hours I finally get that dry line grab and the loop taken from me then the set followed by this odd feeling I have come accustomed to on the Clearwater. Seconds later my annual dry line whitefish on the Clearwater was landed. That was the last grab I got in the two days spent there.

So the following morning we headed upstream to one of my good friend Keith Darnall's spots. We put my dad in the bucket, Keith went downstream and I walked above the run and worked the tailout into the run. About a half hour later I work my way to where my father was. He had broken his jig off on a rock and was trying to re-rig his outfit. Knowing granny knots are not the best knots for fishing, I decided to get him set back up. With my line still in the water on the dangle I got his setup back into working order and casted it while trying to explain how to run a drift down the seam. After reeling it in I casted again and then it happened, bobber down, reel, set then a fish flying through the air. I still had the spey rod in my arm pit and 90 plus feet of line dangling below me and handed it to my dad. I guess a good son would have handed the rod with the fish on it to his father, but I handed him the spey rod instead. Oops :).

A half dozen jumps later the fish was on the beach. A nice big B-Run. I was shocked how much control I had on this large fish on a 6'6" spinning rod. The black and red jig the fish was caught on I tied just a few days earlier. The jig it was tied on was pulled off a rock in the river and sat in a box with all the corkies and hooks I had kept over the years. Thank god for recycling.

Now catching a steelhead on a spinning rod is not a big accomplishment by any means. Hell lots of steelhead fly fishermen have done it before they took up fly fishing, but for me this was a first, and a grand fish to do it with.

"Save Bristol Bay" Road Show

2011-10-18T14:24:00.000-07:00

The "Save Bristol Bay Road Show will be at Portland, Oregon's Bagdad Theater Wednesday, October 19th. See Kate Taylor, Justin Crump and the rest of the ambassadors of the Bristol Bay Region of Alaska in their pursuit of saving one of the last strongholds for Pacific Salmon in the world. Check out Red Gold and the show at McMenamin's Bagdad Theater. They will also be in Corvallis on Friday, October 21st at 7pm (The Art Center). Lets join together and prevent some spoiled bitches from ruining God's Country for a couple pennies and copper wire Meth heads tear out of our catalytic converters.

See you there.

New Beginnings

2011-10-07T22:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend marks the first time that I am unable to make it out to the annual Eastside Steelhead Tour on the Clearwater/Snake/Grande Ronde, and while Dawn and I will miss the good times and focused audience of steelhead this time of year, we have a new addition to the family that is taking our full attention. On September 24th, our first child Natalie Kai-Yen Chou (her middle name is a traditional Chinese name meaning "new beginnings" and is based off an ancient family poem) was born at a healthy 8lbs and 21inches. Dawn is recovering slowly but surely, and I'm finally learning why God invented coffee. For those of you who are parents, I'm sure you remember those first months pretty well (although it may be more of a blur, as these past three weeks feels like to me), full of many midnight diaper changes and half awake origami swaddles, with the methodical bouncing that unconsciously starts happening while talking about the weekend with coworkers.

For the record, I have actually managed to make it out fishing for a couple hours in the morning (or maybe it was just Dawn's way of politely kicking me out of the house for some fresh air while my visiting mother watched the baby), but what I found mid swing was that my thoughts kept drifting back to what it felt like for my baby girl to fall asleep on my chest after I did what I do best thus far in her life- get her to burp.

Coming home was even a different feeling. As I raced home from my morning outing, I realized this was the first time I was coming back from fishing to my new family...the first of many I'm sure, but it was something I had never felt before. Hundreds of fishing trips, and this was the first of its kind. I didn't feel the need to make a call on the way home to ask if there was anything I could pick up at the store (which is my crafty way of saying that I spent slightly more time than I thought fishing, and now I'm going to attempt and divert any potential conflict with this selfless act of errand running)....none of that. Just that I wanted to get home, hold my baby girl and breathe in that smell of baby through her soft hair.

So while our friends are camped out somewhere out east, and believe me, we will be joining them as a family in the near future...for now our entire world is right here, between dijon diapers, getting puked/peed/pooped on, Friday night runs to Babies 'R' Us for the "right" binkie and many sleepless nights staring into the eyes of this baby...waiting...for the first time she looks back at us and smiles.

Brian

Steelhead Dreams

2011-10-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

Awesome videography, beautiful landscape, beautiful river, beautiful fish and beautiful Hannah Belford showing us guys how women can do it too.

Skater Time

2011-09-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

Well its been Skater time for a while now and I finally put one in the books for 2011. It doesn't happen too often on the Wet side of the state, but it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. High pressured rivers mixed with hatchery drones around highly populated areas always put skating flies on the back burner. However with the success over the years from my good friend Brad Smith, who has been fishing the local rivers since he was a kid, I have continued to give it a go and finally sealed the deal.

To my surprise while skating a riffle hitched black and purple smuddler minnow, mid-day over some overhanging trees I finally rose a fish. Not knowing what it was because I rose a few smolts in the same location, I was not sure what grabbed the fly. Over the years I have been surprised at the takes on skated flies. Some like rabid trout hungry for dinner, others sipping a bug like tricos on the Missouri, while others literally come out of the water trying to kill it. The point is I have learned to keep the faith and continue to work that fish until I know for sure what it is. This led me last year to a skated monster whitefish on the Clearwater River in Idaho, but that's another story.

Continuing to work through this little tailout below some overhanging trees I started chatting with my friend Bill that was working his way over to me. After casting a single spey, the smuddler started to skate down and under the trees. I turned my head and said something to Bill when it happened. Dammit I missed it, but the grab was solid and the fish was on. Not soon after I was beaching a bronze male hatchery fish.

Hatchery fish are not known for great fights or size, but what I have noticed over the years is that I have caught 3:1 more hatchery fish on skaters then native fish. I am sure this has to do more with East-side fish being more acclimated to their surroundings and thus relearn their instincts as trout, though this is probably bullshit since we know Jack about steelhead behavior. Then again I don't really care because this genetically retarded fish finally took a fly on the surface, on a river I have been fishing for years and though was of hatchery origin, went back into the river for the reason that it was worthy adversary.

I can't wait to get back at it and this time keep my eyes on the fly for the take. You can learn a lot about swinging flies by skating and those few takes you get every year make all that time well worth it. Do yourself a favor and give it a try, you may be surprised at what you find.

2011 Pinks

2011-09-28T01:44:00.001-07:00

Found on the banks of a well known river below a well known run above a dam or two.

You know its a Pink Salmon year when you start to find them on rivers that they do not belong in. Pink Salmon are to salmon as Whitefish are to trout, almost always a pain in the ass unless your bored and live in the Superfund site known as Puget Sound. Now do not think I am talking smack about these mini salmon, in fact I have been well known to travel all the way to Alaska to pretty much just fish for them. These fish got a lot of heart and in the salt they are a ton of fun, especially on Miyawaki Poppers or wogs.

I remember reading years ago that these fish are well known to travel and spawn up rivers that are not from. I have seen sockeye in the Klickitat and Cowlitz, but never a pink in any of the Columbia tributaries. Pretty cool if they decided to populate a river on their own. Finally mother nature changing the ecosystem and not hatchery dropped fingerlings. Still in all reality this won't happen, but pretty cool if it did.

Damn Condit Dam is Going Bye Bye

2011-09-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

On October 26, 2011, Condit Dam on the White Salmon River will be breached. This 97 year old dam, located 3.3 miles from the confluence of the Columbia River, standing 125 feet tall will be removed, thus draining 92 acre Northwestern Lake. This breach will allow for fish passage of Spring and Fall Chinook Salmon, Winter and Summer Steelhead as well as Lamprey. There is also speculation regarding the return of Bull Trout to the watershed, but good luck finding them. It is estimated that this breach of this very non cost effective, obsolete dam will allow for increased spawning habitat for all listed species.

Although the home owners on Northwestern Lake will miss their summer hideout, mother nature will be able to take this river back. For those of you that have driven by the mouth at Underwood, Washington, the sight of derelict boats and tribal nets are not very encouraging. If you took the time to hike up the river you would see the beauty and possibility of what might return. This portion of the river that has been under water for almost a century will produce scenery that has not been seen in a decade. Only time will tell but this river could once again become a stronghold to our native fish, and at least we are now giving them a chance.

The lower section of the White Salmon River is a thermal refuge for migrating fish up the Columbia Basin. Just like Herman Creek in Oregon and Drano Lake in Washington, this location at times can hold thousands of our anadramous fish as they make there way up the Columbia during their great migration. This fishery which is more like a stillwater fishery in most of the lower stretch will change and that is not a bad thing.

I have fished this area for years in secret, though never in the stillwater portion of the lower river. The canyon walls below the dam and fast runs and pools are breath taking. The water is hard to get to and you have to put in a lot of work to find water suitable to fly fishing. Then again the fish is not the only reason why we travel to these locations. The work and effort to get to that secret pool that only the locals know about is worth every scrape and bruised knee. Now with the changes in the river planned for this October, the river that I am used to and know will change and the fishery with it. I take solace however in that it is in the good for the fish and the habitat around it.

With the removal of the Elwah dams, Rogue River dams and now Condit, we are following a precedence that hopefully will continue and help to bring back our native fish. Please continue to help advocate and fight for our native fish. What we do now matters. Read more about the Condit Dam removal courtesy of the Osprey Steelhead News.

PETA and our Kids

2011-09-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Well PETA is at it again and this time they are after us teaching our kids fishing. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is an animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia that sucks ass and play furry games at night. What a bunch of Patchouli Oil stinkin bitches. The funny thing is this morning when dropping the kiddo off at school I asked my daughter, "What do you want to do after school?". She said, "Can we go fishing with grandpa?". "Yes we can!", I told her.

Read more about these limp wristed bitches here.

Crap You See at Work

2011-09-04T12:50:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago the husband of one of my co-workers walked into the Emergency Department of which I work with a special piercing. Lets just say it made it hard for me to shake the guys hand. His day of bass fishing did not turn out the way he wanted to. The winds in the Columbia River Gorge pushed his boat onto some rocks and while he tried to break free he somehow ended up with a gift in his hand. The trebles then got caught in the anchor rope and he was only able to cut himself free after another boat came by to help him a few hours later. This was by far an epic fail. Hope you all have a great Labor Day!

This Week in Pictures

2011-09-02T23:32:00.000-07:00

Too busy to post a report, but this last week was awesome in lots of ways, capped off with lots of dryline love and even a couple fish on the single hander. Enjoy your Labor Day everyone!

Lingcod Are Mean

2011-08-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

I do not think I can tie a pattern to match the one this Linger took. Then again I am sure Rick Matney has a few.

That Other Way to Fish

2011-08-29T23:13:00.001-07:00

Well one thing I try to do ever year is pull out the red can of Hills Brothers out and plunk some worms for some bottom feeders. I like to call it getting back to my Midwest roots. I spend many a summer day when I was young fishing with my father or grandmother for whatever would grab onto a hook. I have many found memories of catching fish with both of them everywhere from Kansas farm ponds to bass lakes in the Ozarks.

This year with my Cornhusker father spending the summer in Washington, I was finally able to go in search of catfish. The only difference is this time we were able to take my daughter. My daughter is only five years old and as you know getting kids into fishing is not always an easy task, especially girls. But Lil is one of those kids that is in love with animals and we have talked about different kinds of fish through the years and she has always wanted to see a catfish. So this was an easy mission.

West-side catfish are not the easiest species to find and large ones even more so, but going to one of my college stomping grounds in more ways then one, I took them to Sauvie Island, just North of Portland. This island is blessed with warm water species, though nothing of size. Anadramous fish however you can find salmon, steelhead and sturgeon on both the Multnomah Channel and Columbia River sides.

Still not a far drive from my home Southwest, Washington this was an easy answer to find my daughter a few fish to catch. And catch some she did.

Lil with her first channel catfish, not huge, but rare in my experience on the island.

My bleeding red father showing Lil what a bullhead catfish looks like. We caught tons of them, but they never get that big. It got me thinking about pulling the six weight out with some nymphs and streamers. Maybe next year I guess. Catching a catfish on the fly is actually something I always wanted to do and have lots of friends that have done it by accident.

Average size bullhead that day.

Yellow Perch, the wannabe walleye.

Motiv Madnass at the Film Awards

2011-08-29T15:41:00.001-07:00

MOTIV Fishing - GEOFISH Drake Fest Submission from MOTIV FISHING on Vimeo.

Jody Seay at The Back Page with Scott Sadil

2011-08-28T21:19:00.001-07:00

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Here is a great interview done by Jody Seay of Oregon State University on Oregon author Scott Sadil. Check out Lost in Wyoming.

Epic Shitter

2011-08-25T20:52:00.000-07:00

There comes a time for ever outdoors-man when they come face to face with the fact that when out in the sticks, sometimes you need to take a shit. The fact of the matter is most of us do it and dread it and even when there are facilities available, you never have the comfort of your own office. Then you come face to face or hand to butt with the fact that we do not always carry TP for the bunghole. You can only cut the sleeves off so many shirts and you don't always have enough receipts in your wallet to wipe your butt with. So now some of you are thinking this is disgusting, but really tho, we all have dealt with peristaltic movements in the woods and these are life and death movements, or moments, or whatever.

So today while hiking up a trail I came face to face with a small building with a solar panel on it. I didn't think too much of it but don't remember seeing it there in the past. After fishing for a few hours and hiking back with my father I decided to check it out and low and behold it was one of those new fancy Composting Toilets and good for my dad because it was in the nick of time. As cool as that was, what was inside was a little more then expected.

Now we have all used outhouses and they are almost always rated on the higher side of repulsive, however this one brought both a side of home as well as multiple aspects that cater to both men and fishermen in general. Flowers, towels, mints, hand sanitizer, calendar with some very lovely ladies of distinction and highly sought out merits, ample supply of yes TP and last but not least, a magazine rack filled with non other then fly fishing magazines.

I don't know who paid for this thing, I do not know who assembled it and I do not know who added the new additions, but what I do know is I like and for sure everyone using the river will appreciate it. Both from an ecological aspect as well as a lack of fumes and the added comfort of home. It certainly is an Oasis for those dreaded bowel movements on the riverside.

It also helps that you can catch this right next to it.

Thoughts On This One...................

2011-08-20T22:48:00.000-07:00

Remember it doesn't matter what fly color you use as long as its Purple!!!

Geofish Trailer

2011-08-14T23:17:00.000-07:00

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Had another Filipino feast and Jaybird's Vantucky home last week and got to see some of the footage Jay and Chris have been working on from their travels down the Coast to the Yucatan Peninsula. I am always amazed to see how their work is all put together and rest assured you will be amazed once again with the stories and footage they are putting on the screen. For those of you going to this years Sixth Annual Fly Fishing Video Awards in New Orleans, LA, you will get to see some delicious footage from their travels and Jay will be there moderating the event.

Early Morning Freestone Pimp.

2011-08-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

What is the EMFP?

The “Early Morning Freestone Pimps” are a group of anglers committed to the environmental concerns over our wild resources, and the passion and commitment to obtaining…. oops wrong group……..let me rephrase…

It means nothing, and everything…. All at once.

We have rules about being a Pimp.
We love to fish.
We love to take a road trip, and fish.
We love to fish early, unless we sleep in.
We enjoy a beer or a sip of the harder stuff.
We love gravy.
We love to give each other a ton of grief.
We have fun throwing a fly, to whatever.
We impress the ladies; however there are never ladies around, so that is speculation. But we would like to think we impress the ladies.

Our late buddy, Ben Kapp is the creator and Godfather.
There are only a few Original Gangsters- Me, Mike, Jay Johnson.

There are maybe a half a dozen others… maybe. They have earned the right to be an “EMFP”. They are allright in our book.

If you see a sticker, come say hi, and give us a beer.
Or buy us dinner.
Or just be yourself.

PS.... My Name is Mike Gamby. I like long walks in the park, cold hot dogs, and spooning.
I am tired of this blog, and all this "steelhead" talk... They dont exist. It is like the unicorn. or maybe because I SUCK at steelhead fishing.

But I do love me some trout... so Mike let me in here, so I can talk about trout. And the EMFP.

You better listen up now!

Booty Call or a Morning Swinging a Fly?

2011-08-03T22:32:00.000-07:00

Today I was posed a question I thought I would never need to ask myself. Do I drift and swing flies in the morning or meet up with an eager gal for a booty call this evening? Being married for the last ten years, this was an easy answer, but today with my wife finding greener pastures and less steelhead in the freezer it has become more confusing. Being posed with this great dilemma I had to think hard to whether the possibility of a swung fish is more important to me then getting laid. Is it? From years of being married I thought about this and the answer was as clear as mud. Perhaps if I was getting laid more I would not be going through this personal turmoil and divorce, perhaps I would still be happily married, perhaps my liquor cabinet would not have disappeared when I was not looking. So many questions and few answers. So in the end I am going to swing a fly in the morning and think of my decision every step down each run. Perhaps it was a bad decision. I think I will leave it up to fate.

What would you guys do? I can't change the shuttle time and my fishing buddy will be there early in the morning.

Montana Salmon Fly Part #1

2011-07-23T01:45:00.000-07:00

Detonation Studios bringing it again!

Trey Combs this Weekend

2011-07-18T23:28:00.000-07:00

Over the last year I have been fortunate enough to be able to have dinner with Trey Combs, one of the legends of fly fishing here in the Northwest. This weekend you can meet him and the rest of the grungy old dogs from the Steelhead Underground. Stop by the Drift on Main Street in Klickitat, Washington on Saturday July 23rd and meet him in person. You will even find Klickitat has a great new coffee shop filled with steelhead and trout flies. Trey will be there having lunch and signing a few books between 10am until 2pm.

This is a great opportunity to pick his brain about steelheading and atlantic salmon fishing around the world. Hell I hear he also knows a thing or two about those saltwater creatures on the fly as well.

New Toy

2011-07-06T00:37:00.001-07:00

It is a sad day that I had to pick this up after a shop closure, but yeah its a big win anyway. I have been looking for one of these for years and finally was able to punch the card last week with this one. Berkley-Triangle line winder and new backing for all the reels. I even picked up an old Ross Colorado for next to nothing. Man I hate to see Circle K disappear, especially with the history of walking through that store since I started fly fishing. But man I was excited when I got the news from a good buddy that was there the first day of the sale that yes, this one was all mine. It has already been put to good use after some minor modifications and cleaning. I think I will have to find a few more reels now.

New from Barrett Part II

2011-07-06T00:15:00.000-07:00

A week ago my buddy Barrett send me an email about his second season up in the Kola Peninsula. Man I am jealous! Once again he is living my dream trip over and over again by guiding in Russia. He even went to say he caught his largest Atlantic ever. You guys need to check this out at Faraway Fly Fishing. This guy is living the dream.

What the Hell

2011-07-03T00:26:00.000-07:00

A June fish many moons ago that wrecked my favorite six weight.

I just came to a very sad realization sitting here drowning my sorrows in a 40 of O'English, I didn't swing a single fly in the month of June. I must be out of my mind!!! I am going through an ugly divorce and June is my second favorite month to swing a fly and I did not do it a single freaking time. What the hell!!! This bullshit has got to stop. Dammit, get the hell out and swing some freaking fish! I am back up in this biaatches and its almost time to skate the hell out of them. Give them hell boys, they are laying in wait.

Sad News

2011-06-26T18:06:00.001-07:00

I received some sad news a week ago that my good friend and respected mentor Jack Charlton passed away from a battle with cancer.

I thought I would share the first time I met Jack over 10 years ago.

I had come back home from college for the summer and, after fishing a few of his reels for stripers back east, thought id like to meet the man behind the machine. So I called their office to see if I could schedule an appointment. After talking to Jack for a bit, we decided on a day for me to make the drive up to Burlington, WA to see how these works of art were made.

I really didn't expect to be there for very long but still set aside the entire day just in case. Good thing I did, as Jack, to my surprise, took the entire day off and not only took the time to personally walk me through the entire process from start to finish, but gave me the entire history of his reels and the philosophy of what makes a Charlton reel. Ill never forget how he took a spool he had sitting on his desk and, to show the durability of the anodization, had me take my key and try to scratch it! after wiping off the metal shavings from my key (!) , the finish was as good as new! Then he had me stand on the spool on one foot in an attempt to flex the spool. Not a budge. Needless to say, I had already been impressed by the quality of his reels, but seeing the passion behind the product, in person, was something different.

Jack was a great guy who was never too busy to talk to friends. He will be missed, and his family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Brian and Dawn Chou

In February of 2009, after having a great steelheading trip on the Skagit and Sauk Rivers, I was invited by a mutual friend to stop by Jack Charlton’s shop in Burlington, Washington. As soon as we got to the shop I was surprised as hell to find out that Jack actually knew who I was and had even read this blog. I was also impressed that Judy, Jack’s wife was also a night shift Critical Care nurse. My impression of Jack and his shop was one of wonder as I found out in more detail how he took the NASA aerospace technology and techniques learned in his previous profession and applied to them to the precision machining of his reels.

Jack was a smart, down to earth guy who loved every aspect of the sport of fly fishing. His giving nature and hospitality was a wonderful ending to a great trip to Skagit Country. After not allowing us to pay for the dinner that evening, he went on to invite me to fish with him in British Columbia during the summer. Meeting Jack for the first time that evening, I could not help but be flattered and impressed by this humble gentleman.

Jack Charlton will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His exceptional products and works of art will always be a part of fly fishing history and sought out by fishermen and collectors alike. I am proud to say I had the opportunity to spend some time with him and his family and got to get to know the man behind the reel. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

Michael Davidchik

Father's Day Monday

2011-06-21T21:54:00.000-07:00

Well Father's Day came a little later then expected for me this year. I spent the weekend taking care of drunks and Heroin addicts in the Emergency Department this last weekend. Great comedy, but not a Father's Day celebration by any means. With my father staying with me for the summer and having Monday off, we took my daughter Lillian to the local lake for a little fishing. As we got our stuff together she immediately went for her Yellow Echo Gecko rod. Being five years old and not the best caster in the world, you never know what she would hook with it, but regardless watching her get excited to take the fly rod out was neat to see.

Needless to say, Lillian hooked grandpa a couple times as well as a few branches, the dock, my backpack, a tackle box and just about everything near us. I have learned a lot of patience over the years and understand that getting upset with her at her age will only lead to her loosing interest in the sport. However after giving a few pointers and her not following any of them, I noticed her line move next to the dock we were fishing from. She had stripped her line next to us and the erratic movement lead to her first fish hooked and landed on her own. Not a trout but rather a small black crappie. Not an epic moment by any means in the sport of fly fishing, but an epic moment for me and a memory shared with her grandpa. The smile on her face couldn't make her daddy more proud and an awesome gift for father's day.

Though the highlight of the day for Lillian was playing with worms, Lillian also got to use a couple and landed her first stalker trout as well. She even got to take this one home and dissect. She was more interested in seeing its entrails and bones then eating it though. I got to show her salmon eggs that it was taking off other people's hooks, a worm and lots of larva. This little guy was eating well and stomach was full. We then looked at all the organs together and she even asked to see its brain. Funny as hell because I couldn't find it. I have a feeling she is going to enjoy anatomy in college way more then her old man ever did.

A Job Well Done

2011-06-13T23:47:00.000-07:00

In the process of moving my man cave to make room for the nursery, i came across a little wooden box where i keep all my flies that have been present during a memorable time on the water for me over the years.

the rules to gain entrance to this box are simple. the fly, whether it caught a fish or not, just has to have left an impression worth remembering. why do i do this? initially, it was because im a bit of a packrat (anyone who has seen the old man cave will certainly attest to this) who has a hard time throwing things like flies away...but maybe one day, my grandkids will gather around and say "hey pops, tell us about THIS silly looking fly, or tell us about the time you had to have this fly ripped out of your ear again!"

ive often thought of how i can find a way to bottle up as many "good things" in one place, so they can be called upon when needed, and this is about as close as i can get for now...so whether its a wooden, shadow or old perrine box we use to hold our keepsakes, these little mementos can help connect a breadcrumb trail through our lifetime and fishing "careers"...and although they may not be hung from the rafters, its about as perfect of a retirement home for a fly as i could imagine.

Brian

Mats Mirick

2011-05-22T17:11:00.000-07:00

I lost my friend Mats Mirick this month. He was one of those guys that had an edge that you just could not get a grip on. Apparently he was fighting the good fight for a long time with demons that we all could not see and lost the battle earlier this May. It is so tragic because he truly was larger then life and always the center of attention when I hung out with him. I spent at least a few days every Fall over the last several years standing in the river and campfire next to Mats. He was going to Medical School in a year and follow in the footsteps of his father and become an Emergency Room Physician. The world will not be the same without him.

I will always remember you brother and those cold Fall days we spent fishing and talking shit to each other. Driving by the Meat Hole will never be the same without seeing you and the boys down there.

The boys last Fall

Sandy River Spey Clave

2011-05-17T00:11:00.000-07:00

I was not able to make the Sandy River Spey Clave this year so I thought I would post Brian's thoughts on this years event. It sounds like I missed out.........

anyone in attendance this past weekend have anything to share that caught their eye in particular? these two rods left a pretty good impression on me-

-did anyone else happen to cast the vision cult 7134? this stick, when compared with a couple other "7's", just really surprised me. it was lined with a vision ace scandi head, pretty comparable to a compact scandi or steelhead scandi. ive fished vision's ace heads for several years now, but have never thrown any of their rods. the best way i can describe this stick is a smoooooooth progressive taper that although the Euros might call a "slower action", (I would still save that title for the Echo DH or the CND Black Spey) it came across as more of a medium fast with a quick recovery. so picture great feel in your hands with a recovery that just WANTS to throw darts. and at around $500, how could you NOT consider it??

-well, bamboo has finally meshed with graphite...literally...i wasnt sure what to think about this at first when Bob Clay showed me his graphite ferruled cane rod, but it didnt take long to see why he decided to experiment with this idea. the rod of topic was an 11' (i think it was a 6 or a 7), lined with a beulah elixir (which i have long thought of as a badass scandi line). my comparison would be to the Dean's Kispiox 12' 7/8, 5 sided spliced ferrule that ive been fishing for over a year now. does it still feel like grass? absolutely. but the recovery felt different, crispier. regardless, he's managed to add more depth but still retain the classic feel of grass in a "modern" cane rod designed to throw shooting heads.

lastly, i think there should be something said about not only the build of a rod, but the customer service from the manufacturer. recently, i had the unfortunate experience of having to send a rod back to Bob for a small repair. not only was i impressed by the prompt personal communication in this matter, but the repair turnaround time was quick, the rod was "serviced" while in house with a few small "upgrades" to the durability of the rod AND as i was made aware by Bob at the clave, he created an extra mid section so as to speed up the process even more the NEXT time the rod has to get sent back to him! these are the small matters that really set things apart for me, not only in this small niche of fishing, but as a whole in life. and you can bet that ill share this with both those interested and who could give a damn about it. either way, Riverwatch Rods gets my vote for a great product all the way through. :thumb:

aside from these two sticks, there were many other rods and lines that were casted, wiggled, waggled, cringed and drooled at, but at least this year, these stuck out (to me). the food was incredible, the stories hilarious and the energy contagious. thanks again to The Fly Fishing Shop for doing another great job and giving us all a reason to geek out, tell lies with old (and new) friends and eat more than we do at a company holiday party. ive officially gained my holiday weight back in one weekend. damn that crazy donkey.

it always amazes me though, with as many two handed rods that are present at this event, how much attention a 9' 5wt gets... :)

Brian Chou

Detonation Studios at Simms Ice Out

2011-04-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

SIMMS shoot-out submission. from Detonation Studios on Vimeo.

Sorry RA, this one was the winner in my book.

The Kamchatka Steelhead Project

2011-04-24T22:23:00.000-07:00

Dreams............

The Greatest Migration

2011-04-11T17:51:00.000-07:00

This is an amazing inspiring video.

TnT Press Release

2011-04-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

You Thomas & Thomas fans may appreciate this recent press release.

Thomas & Thomas Under New Ownership

Greenfield, MA - April 5, 2011. Chief Executive Officer of Thomas & Thomas Rodmakers Inc., Gerry Metcalfe, today announced the sale of all company assets.

The Thomas & Thomas brand, machinery, inventory and all other assets were sold to Islamorada, FL based fly fisherman Mark Richens. Concurrent to the asset purchase, Richens also agreed a deal to buy the Thomas & Thomas rod making facility in Greenfield, MA from Lon Deckard of Osprey, FL. The financial details of both transactions were undisclosed.

Metcalfe explained. "The Thomas & Thomas brand is under new ownership. This brings to a conclusion the events of recent years that have troubled Thomas & Thomas Rodmakers. Despite my best efforts, issues arising from the withdrawal of bank funding following the financial crisis of 2007 and 2008 have proven insurmountable. The team at T&T produced fly rods of the highest quality throughout difficult circumstances and I wish to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work and professionalism.

It is my understanding that Mark will continue making bamboo, glass and graphite rods in Massachusetts under the Thomas & Thomas brand and will seek to recruit key personnel locally. Mark also advised me that he intends to honor warranty repairs on existing T&T rods. He will be issuing his own press release to this effect once he has had chance to discuss his plans with the many industry figures that have supported Thomas and Thomas so loyally over the years.

After putting so much into the company I am delighted to see Thomas & Thomas in the hands of someone with a full appreciation for its rich, forty-year heritage. I know Lon Deckard feels the same way.

Mark Richens is a fanatical fly fisherman, a long time user of T&T rods and a regular on the saltwater flats and trout and salmon streams of North America and beyond. At 39, he has the drive and acumen to re-energize this prestigious brand. He is unwavering in his belief that there remains a place for high quality fly rods, built entirely in the USA by craftsmen. I wish him and all involved with his new company well for the future."

Things are Finally Looking Up

2011-03-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

I know all you fellas out there are wishing you could be a winner just like me. See what I get in the mail, victory on the river, lake and sea. I know you all wish you could be a member of a prestigious club just like me. I even get stickers............

No Wonder They Are So Hard To Catch...

2011-03-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

This graphic from the WSC explains a lot and reminds us that we need to keep fighting the good fight. Threatened or Endangered - pretty much everywhere. This graphic would be even scarier if it showed those portions of the west coast where wild steelhead are now extinct due to complete exclusion by dams or massive scale habitat degradation.

RIP Nate Dogg

2011-03-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

This has nothing to do with Fly Fishing, but RIP Nate Dogg.

Top Ten Ways to Get Blacklisted by Your Fishing Buddies

2011-03-15T00:37:00.000-07:00

1. Naming the name of the rivers, especially on the internet.

2. Showing up to summer steelhead camp and saying that summer fish don't count.

3. Forget to bring beer.

4. Talk about saltwater fishing when in steelhead camp or on the river.

5. Bring annoying friends that ask dumbass questions.

6. Constant name dropping or talking about your resume.

7. Numbers................. Shut the fuck up!!!

8. Not offering to help your boy out while landing a fish or even taking a quick snap shot.

9. Talking shit and constantly trying to one up your homies. Especially when comparing nymphing to swinging a fly. Keep that Alpha shit at home.

10. Trying to use your boys for reports and leads when you do not give up the same.

11. Writing a blog.

The Fishman: Mike Kasic

2011-03-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

Amazing work in a beautiful place.

Schliske Bamboo

2011-03-08T23:33:00.000-08:00

Fished with a couple of these hombres a few years ago and the narrator a bunch. Great group of guys bringing in the tradition of bamboo rod making and even handmade machined reels to the younger modern crowd. Schliske was also written up in the current edition of the Drake. Check out there work and the Samurai Jay Johnson's video.

The Sea•thos Foundation

2011-03-07T17:41:00.000-08:00

The Sea•thos Foundation exists to promote education and awareness of the human impact on the world's oceans.

The Winter Comeback

2011-03-07T12:51:00.001-08:00

You ever wonder if that was really a grab on the end of your line? Seriously, regardless of time of year there are always doubts weather that pull on the end of your line was a fish. At times of the year it becomes more obvious and the type of take can make things more obvious. Still there is always doubt in my mind. Being pessimistic in nature, I doubt most if all takes, especially in the spring when the smolts are on their migration down river. After braining a couple hundred fish over the years setting on smolts, you get to really wonder what the heck hit your fly. Was it a smolt, a steelhead, a branch floating down river, a rock or some fishing gear stuck on a rock? It all happens and every take on the end of your line is different depending on water flow, location, structure and off course how aggressive that fish is on the other end of your line. Having salmon and smallmouth swimming in the same water also leads to some interesting encounters.

The other day I finally was able to get my fat ass out on the river for a float with one of the old homies. After playing bumper boat with a half dozen other boats we finally found one of our favorite pools without a fishermen. Set up at the middle of the run I started stepping. After about a half dozen swings my line stops then a tug, stop, then pull of an inch or two of line out my fingers. For some reason weather it be experience or just keeping the faith, I thought this was a fish. Instead of changing flies I went after it again, casting short then working back into the zone with nothing. Against better judgment on this cold dark winter morning with four to five feet of clarity I decided to not switch to another dark pattern, instead I put on something something bright and nasty on the end of my line, a tequila sunrise MOAL. I didn't even move back upstream, instead just starting casting short. After stretching the line out again I started to doubt that this was a fish and worked down the run. Within a few feet I felt a similar grab, but with this one the pull stuck and my Marquis starting melting.

Keeping the faith is a big deal in this game of swinging flies for steelhead, especially in the winter. Patience and persistence pays when all the cards are aligned right. Changing flies to a color against the grain of what I would think is perfect to that situation only goes to show me that there is always more to learn in this game.

Photos:Justin Teegarden

Behind the Bubble Curtain

2011-03-06T10:35:00.000-08:00

Go Beav's!

2011-02-23T17:35:00.000-08:00

It's a common cheer here in Oregon, especially during football season.

But maybe all of us fish lovers should start becoming beaver fans.

It turns out that beavers are/have been, according the scientific community, a critical component of many ecosystems all over the world where they are a native species. Their habits of building dams and creating ponds diversify habitat and play critical roles in the life histories of everything from songbirds to salmon. They influence on hydrology is profound, and it has been shown that watersheds with healthy beaver populations not only provide better fish and wildlife habitat, but also are less prone to flooding in their downstream reaches where people often choose to live.

Sure they can cause some problems around the farm or in urban areas, but as anglers we owe it to ourselves to be informed on the issues. Beavers have long been maligned as pests and their dens and dams destroyed in the name of fish conservation and habitat enhancement, or they have been trapped into extinction for their fur. Hindsight is 20/20, and from here on out we should think twice about cursing the beaver, natures habitat enhancement engineer.

Take a few minutes to look at these links and learn why you should be a beaver fan.

http://books.google.com/books?id=TXGB-5KhZrIC&pg=PA56&lpg=PA56&dq=beavers+and+salmon+habitat&source=web&ots=jkabBbJf4n&sig=JEszjPxGo5qZ8SL5UOWB--5jE3c&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#v=onepage&q=beavers%20and%20salmon%20habitat&f=false

http://duff.ess.washington.edu/grg/publications/pdfs/Pollock.pdf

http://www.albergstein.com/cao/Best%20Available%20Science/Fish/Beaver%20dam%20effects%20paper%20final.pdf

http://www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/umwelt_naturschutz/beavers_dam_good_songbirds_119970.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/06/060605120417.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070110180828.htm

http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.2307/1938681

Fish on,
Matt

Backside Double

2011-02-21T19:42:00.000-08:00

thought id share a video of some fisherman demonstrating sustained anchor casting and the 180 degree principle...in a somewhat different manner...

...brings to mind some uses, say...if you ever feel like youre being watched, now youll know.

or...if youre really confused as to what a switch cast is...now you know.

or...if youre bored of fishing a run that youve all but sent the "rake" through, and still doesnt contain fish where it should...heeeres your sign.

boy, thats a sexy loop.

Brian

Fly Fishing Film Tour

2011-02-10T16:55:00.000-08:00

2011 Fly Fishing Film Tour Trailer - Beattie Outdoor Productions from RA Beattie on Vimeo.

Lots of cool stuff to check out at this years Fly Fishing Film Tour. Check it out at a town near you. They are in Portland Saturday guys.

Steelhead Fishing with the Clay Family

2011-02-10T01:32:00.000-08:00

This is pretty darn cool!

Shaq Diesel, Vin Diesel, Deeeeez.....

2011-02-09T15:23:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in a recent post, I tend to be the one that is always "tinkering" with all types of rod/line combinations...what can i say? it feels like mental therapy (not sure what this says about me since this topic is what drives many people batshit crazy) to me after a long day at work, and yes, my wife as my witness, it has been known to keep me up past my bedtime on a school night. so when Mike called me up a couple weeks ago and said that he had some Red Truck Diesel rods for me to try, I had to take them out for the next couple fishing trips and attempt to "dial them in". Ive heard a little about these sticks but really had no frame of reference, so i thought id share a little of what i thought witchyall. upon first impression, the diesel has a few features that catch my eye. shape of the grip, much like a pair of fitted jeans on a nice figure, was the first thing i noticed (but im a sucker for a nicely shaped grip, moreso than shiny adornments on the blank). also, the unsanded blank reminded me of one of my favorite trout rods of all time, the scott 8'8'' 4wt G series. after fishing it on the past couple outings, i can say that we get along just fine, but it wasnt without a bit of adjustment. the rods i tend to favor have "light" feeling tips, backed by progressively (think smooth constant taper like a pyramid) flexing mid and butt sections, and a fast recovery. the diesel, however, had more of a "stout" tip, and then followed by a similar taper, also with a fast recovery. i found a couple things that this design proved beneficial in, one being the ease that it pulled heavy tips out of the water, and also how easily you could access the "beef" of the rod since the (stout) tip translates the load to the mid section well, due to less flex absorbed by a lighter tip. upon feeling this, some might go so far to say that it feels a bit "regressed" (a rod that flexes lower in the blank than up top), but after having fished rods like a Meiser MKS, which i did feel was a regressive taper, i believe this to still fall under the progressive category. remember, regressive has nothing to do with the diameter of the blank, but more the amount of deflection it has.

the only adjustment i had to make in regards to casting to accomodate for this slight difference was to start my power application on the delivery slightly earlier (think pulling the rod from behind you before you can even see it), followed by a much higher stop. also, it reacted well to slightly more overhang of the shooting head out of the tip top. this, i felt had more to do with the choice of grains/line i was throwing on it. i tend to err on the lighter end of a "grain window", so as to give the rod a chance to breathe and not reduce it to an overloaded "lob stick". all in all, i think this rod absolutely excels when throwing skagit heads and sink tips, and when given a longer dry line like an SRO Vector 45', it also excels due to a quick recovery of the blank. great feel in the hands, tracks well, and for $350, is one of the best deals on the market.

other rods the 7136-4 Diesel reminds me of are the 7133-3 CF Burkheimer, and the Beulah Platinum 7132-4.

lines i liked best on it for skagit and scandi were the 510 Airflo Compact Skagit and 480 Compact Scandi. the SRO Vector 6/7 and Rio Powerspey 6/7 will make great lines for bigger water.

would i own one? absolutely.

fish on fellow Jedi's.

Brian

Confucious say: get those big bunny flies out and fish 'em, its the year of the wabbit, theyre destined to work............in bed.

Kelt Reconditioning on the Yakima

2011-02-08T00:29:00.000-08:00

Here is an interesting study done by the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission on reconditioning steelhead kelts from the Yakima River. These steelhead kelts are fish that not only have made the journey from the ocean, but have also survived the stressors of spawning and months without eating. Steelhead are unique however in comparison to Pacific Salmon in that they can spawn multiple times if they are able to migrate back to the ocean just like when they were smolts, then run the gauntlet back to their spawning grounds for the second time. It was estimated before the study took place that the incidence of steelhead making it back for a second spawn was less then 2% in the Yakima River.

The study itself was done after kelts, mostly females were collected on their downstream migration. They would then be given antibiotics, fed krill, pellets or a combination of the two and then divided into two tagged study groups. Short term being they would be fed for an average of 44 days and then released below Bonneville Dam. The Long term group would be held for an average of 227 days before release back into the Yakima River.

The conclusion to the study was that steelhead kelt reconditioning shows promise to assist restoration of wild steelhead. These kelts have been tracked back to their spawning grounds and onto redds for a second time. However it is unclear weather the eggs laid by these fish were viable and if they have helped to maintain this endangered run of fish. If these eggs are indeed viable then the 20 to 30 percent increased population of spawning steelhead from reconditioning should lead to 300,000 to 600,000 additional eggs a year. Now we are again just playing with mother nature here and as a pessimistic I am a skeptic to everything, but I really like the idea of not supplementing with broodstock or neighboring strain of fish in order to falsely maintain a native run of fish. Actively seeking solutions outside the realm of supplementation is always a good idea in my book.

Reconditioning Kelt Steelhead: A Novel Management Strategy for Populations in Low Abundance.

Stepping Up

2011-02-04T15:27:00.001-08:00

Matt Klara and Brian Chou on a Eastside river. Photo: Ben Dow

Now I am not sure if the two of you that actually read this thing have noticed or not, but I have not been writing crap for a while now. Essentially it is hard to scribble the thoughts from the ghetto of your mind when you haven’t really fished in months. For reasons to be discussed at a later time, a couple of the boys are going to add a bit of flavor to this thing.

Klara Photo: Ian Majszak

The first post from Matt Klara came last week. Matt is one of those transplants from the East Coast that has found Portland his home. This ACC, Virginia Tech foosball loving fan and MSU Bozeman snob works as a Civil/Water Resources Engineer. Matt’s work is centered around developing strategies to maintain river and habitat quality in and around our local waterways despite development. Matt’s engineering and environmental work will provide as a valuable resource.

Matt’s one of those guys who hooked his first steelhead in the winter while fishing the Salmon River in New York with the only rod he had at the time, a five weight. However the bug did not really hit him until Matt met the Dry Side of the Pacific Northwest many years ago. A steelhead bum is not the word I would use for Matt, more an Eastside freak. For Matt, the ideal day of steelhead fishing would come with a couple of solid floating line grabs sandwiched somewhere between a 20 mile mountain bike ride and a 5 mile hike. Not to mention the possibility of a carp flat during midday. On his favorite waters, this is the guy that knows that rock behind that bucket a few feet above the sweet spot that you never thought about swinging a fly through. He keeps them a secret too.

Though this guy mainly fishes the mid to long belly line in the summer, he understands the obvious advantages of the Skagit when fishing tips. Matt is one of the most well rounded fishermen I know in casting, tying, saltwater and freshwater species and even the gear rod. His weekly articles he writes on Sexyloops every Wednesday are a great read. You may also remember Matt’s work with Scott Howell from the North Umpqua Petition years ago. This petition helped to ban the retention of native winter steelhead on this fabled river.

Chou wrestling with a Chinook. Photo: Ben Dow

The second person who is going to add to this thing is Brian Chou. Brian is an interesting addition to this thing because he is the casting guru in my circle of friends. He also gets mistaken for me from time to time because his ugly ass mug gets seen on this thing from time to time. This Washington Native is the guy that annoys you because he can take a 105 foot Carron Long Belly and make it look like a shooting head while casting. Not to mention if you let him have a knife, micrometer and heat gun, he will end up cutting it up in order to make it a more efficient line. This is the kid that took the old man’s stereo apart and put it back together before dad ever new it was in pieces. Because of this he seems to get his hands on everything before it comes out the door and into fly shops. His advice and technical skills are sought out by a number of different, rod, reel and line makers here in United States because of his ability to break down and understand the wide variety of products and his constant tinkering with them to make them better.

Brian’s efficient and relaxed style of casting is not the only thing he is well known for. Within the realm of the Federation of Fly Fishers casting and instructional circuit here in the Pacific Northwest, Brian is the young guy seen in the booths of the Northwest Fly Tiers Expo and even teaching classes such as Smarter Spey Casting: Short Heads, Long Heads and Long Rods. His efficiency and ability to relate and pull examples from everyday activities helps the student break down their own casting stroke and prepare them for a day on the river.

Brian high energy, fun, positive, always on the move method of fishing does not always fit the mold of the stereotypical steelheader. In fact he tries to deny that fact that he is a steelheader all together and though he travels the world with his beautiful fishing partner and bride Dawn Fischer-Chou, he very much is a steelheader. Now if the guy would just quit trying to talk me into a week on some damn flat instead of swinging a fly then we would get along. By the way you guys have been enjoying his photography work for a while now.

These brothers are going to leave a positive vibe to this thing and definitely a different flavor for you. Hopefully these guys will provide a broader perspective and more ridiculous experience. Hope you enjoy and learn from them and I hope they do not get me into more trouble.

Out of the Darkness

2011-01-25T21:05:00.000-08:00

The fog slowly lifts and the only sound is the murmur of the big river against the hull and the occasional quiet splash of an oar blade. This place is both mysterious and full of possibility.

Wandering these waters and being in this stillness embodies an emptiness of expectation and anticipation of good things unknown. A feeling of being physically and mentally lost. It’s clear, though no one speaks, we are searching for something.

This is big fish water. A river lost in time, overlooked by the hatcheries, but still degraded by extraction and greed. Nothing is safe. It seems that nothing is sacred anymore. But the power of the place is still palpable.

If you listen closely, every river within hundreds of miles tells a story of something that was once full of promise and amazement but has been subject to degradation.

We are steelheaders of the new breed. We fish for crumbs, but we have all been touched by these incredible seagoing trout. We return to the river in hopes of experiencing first hand the fish that fuels our other passion. Working to protect what we have and restore at least some of what we’ve lost.

Through activism, outspoken awareness, and everyday choices, we all hope to make a difference for the better. Some of us even have chosen jobs that focus on restoring health to our watersheds. There are big wins and tough losses. There are days when it seems like our efforts are futile. But there are days when hope and faith are renewed. Yesterday was one of those days.

Take Care and Fish On,

Matt

PS – It's a double post this week. Here on Steel, where my friend Mike has graciously invited me to share some of my thoughts and words, and also over at the usual spot on Sexyloops.com. Most importantly, many thanks to Anna and Mel for your powerful words that inspired and built the FP this week.

"Awakening the Skeena" Movie Wed. January 26th in Portland

2011-01-13T01:08:00.000-08:00

For those of you that are interested in seeing "Awakening the Skeena," in the Portland Metro area, the Native Fish Society is sponsoring this viewing at the Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center - Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center, 721 NW 9th Ave on January 26th. There is also a viewing in Seattle on the 24th at The Guild 45th Theater - 2115 North 45th. Check it out if you get a chance and read about the The Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition. They are doing great things in order to maintain this precious watershed.

Awakening the Skeena Titles & Graphics from mikeseehagel on Vimeo.

Awakening the Skeena Closing Sequence from mikeseehagel on Vimeo.

Sandy River Debacle

2011-01-12T22:30:00.000-08:00

A hatchery kelt caught in the spring. What are the odds it spawned with a native fish?

The Sandy River is one of the closest and best bets for locals in the Portland Metro area to find some water to swing flies in year round. It holds native fall chinook, spring chinook, coho, bull trout and winter steelhead. All of which are currently listed under the Endangered Species Act, and chum salmon have gone extinct. Currently these fish are at 3-10% of their historic numbers. Though over $75 million has been donated towards Sandy River habitat restoration, the biggest factor influencing the decline of these native fish has been the failed hatchery projects on this river.

Today the hatchery wild steelhead broodstock program are not only killing natives to produce offspring for table fare, but also reducing the overall ability of our native fish to spawn in the wild. Research done by Oregon State University done in the neighboring Hood River drainage has shown that these broodstock hatchery fish show almost no ability to spawn naturally in the wild. It is estimated that there is a stray rate of nearly 45% for hatchery fish spawning in this basin, thus leading to our hatchery fish spawning with our native fish. Also research done over the last three decades have shown that hatchery production for both steelhead and salmon have never been shown to help improve native runs of fish and have been linked to their demise. Read more about the native hatchery broodstock program courtesy of the Osprey Steelhead News.

As fishermen, conservationists, lovers of mother nature and gods creations, we must all take a serious look at this and act on it. The Native Fish Society is now making a stand in this fight to save the Sandy River Basin so that our children may be able to see salmon and steelhead. At the current rate of things we are going to see extinctions of the remaining species in this river. Habitat restoration is a wonderful thing, but alone will not save our native fish, especially when hatchery fish are competing with them. Please read, sign and add if you like to the Native Fish Society Petition to help restore the native fish in the Sandy River by removing these deadly hatchery programs. Also read more about this problem from our friend and Sandy River Steward Spencer Miles at Whitefish Can't Jump.

Call on ODFW to restore Sandy River salmon and steelhead.

Skagit Master 2

2011-01-07T16:56:00.000-08:00

I took a round about drive home this morning from an eye appointment and stopped by Northwest Fly Fishing Outfitters in Portland to pick up a copy of Skagit Master Volume 2 with Scott Howell. I watched it and it is worth the price not to mention supporting a local fly shop. One of my long term fishing buddies watched it with me and it was interesting talking though some of the strategies and techniques Scott goes through with him. The dry fly footage and river scenery was awesome, but the Sage, Sage, Sage, Sage and Sage advertising was lame.

Just for Fun - Big Bibbles

2011-01-07T00:32:00.000-08:00

just for fun. from Detonation Studios on Vimeo.

Some great work from my buddy Ian Majszak from Detonation Studios in Bozeman, Montana. I can't wait until next Fall.

Things Learned on the Water in 2010

2011-01-05T19:34:00.000-08:00

January Spring Chinook can be caught on the swing and even on bamboo.

Some guys have all the luck.

Bamboo Spey rods are awesome!

You can be handicapped to swing flies for steelhead. Landing steelhead while handicapped tends to be difficult though.

Alaskan Spring Steelhead are amazing creatures.

Alaskans are ridiculous when it comes to nymphing.

Welding polyurethane and polyethelene is fun and easy. PVC sucks!

There really are rivers and creeks out there that have steelhead in them that people do not know about.

I am not the only one that believes that DIO Rocks. Rest in peace Ronnie, you will be missed.

Stalking carp on flats is one of the best ways to spend time on the water when its too warm to fish for steelhead. It’s one hell of a lot of fun too.

Large steelhead will rise to a skater and there are times that fish will only move to a skater.

Despite being low holed over and over again on the Olympic Peninsula, you can still swing fish in other people’s pocket.

Trey Combs is one of the nicest individuals you will ever meet.

Missoula apparently sucks.

Pulling crab everyday for a week is a great workout.

The Airflo Speydicator really turned into an all purpose line.

Bonk the damn hatchery fish when you land it and don’t just try to gill it. Stupid!!!!

Puget Sound fishing is kinda cool.

Don’t eat steak and drink beer the night before going on an off shore tuna boat.

There really is a use for 12 weights.

Just because its winter doesn’t mean that summer tactics don’t work.

The Metolius River really is one of the most beautiful places on this Earth.

Sometimes kicking back, taking pictures and sharing a few drinks with friends on the river is just as good as fishing.

The Guideline LeCie really is the best Scandi rod out there.

Don’t put your iPod and phone in your fishing jacket.

Tightlines everyone!

Vintage North Fork Toutle River Footage

2010-12-24T15:34:00.000-08:00

On May 18, 1980 Mount St. Helens erupted effecting everyone in the Pacific Northwest. In the process the most devastating lahar, or landslide ended up running through the North Fork Toutle River, destroying everything in its path and flowing into the Cowlitz River. Despite reconstruction efforts the North Fork Toutle has not recovered from the devastating effects of this natural catastrophe. At least in this case it was Mother Nature that took the river back and not another man made catastrophe. There is still a remnant population of native summer and winter steelhead in the Forks of the Toutle River. Many moons ago I swung my first native winter steelhead there. Check out the old footage courtesy of the Old Duffer on You Tube.

Dark Days of Winter

2010-12-16T00:28:00.000-08:00

This year has been an ass kicker for me in a multitude of ways and fishing really has been on the backburner for the most part, especially this time of year with the chocolate flows of the last month and the subservient grabs from Chambers Creek and Alsea hatchery fish. Canceling two coastal trips over the last three weeks I have done more Christmas shopping and drinking then I would like to admit. But the other day my good friend Mike Gamby and I trekked over a snowy pass to fish a trout stream. Not casting a spey rod on moving water in well over a month, it was a refreshing reprieve from the rainy days we have been all complaining about on the West side of Pacific Northwest.

Though the river was still off color and higher then I have seen it in years, we were still able to find some worthy opponents to cast flies to. The descent winter fishing wasn't as revitalizing as just getting out of Dodge and getting off my ass. One of the things I have always enjoyed was the ability to fish year round while here in the Pacific Northwest. Scott Richmond once wrote a book called Fishing Oregon's Endless Season and to this day believe that is true. There is always something you can fish for if you know the lakes and rivers around you and if you are willing to take the time and spend a little gas. It is well worth the extra dollars and taking care of your mental health is one of the most important things you can do for yourself with the Seasonal Affective Disorder that effects us all during these dark days of winter.

There is hope on the horizon through, the Winter Solstice will be here in just five days and we will start to see our days start lengthen. Cold dark days will continue, but lengthen and warmer weather and grabby native steelhead are on the horizon. Like most that read this blog, I am looking forward to those longer days and less volatile river flows in the next coming months. You will all see this to be true for most fishermen when the bitching and moaning ends on all those fishing forums end and arguments about MOW tips and over prescribed skagit heads end. These dark short days of winter will end soon.

Kunimasu Found in Japan

2010-12-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

A species of salmonid called a kunimasu or black kokanee was found thriving in a Lake Saiko near Mount Fugi, Japan. This species once found in a lake 310 miles North of Lake Saiko was destroyed by yes another hydroelectric project. This lead to their native lake becoming too acidic for life. 100,000 Smolts were planted in Lake Saiko, but were still thought to have become extinct until recent. Read more courtesy of the Associated Press.

River of Deceit Lyric Interpretation

2010-12-11T14:24:00.000-08:00

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My pain is self-chosen
At least, so The Prophet says
I could either burn
Or cut off my pride and buy some roe
A box full of flies is the weight, tied to my waist

The River of Deceit pulls down, oh oh
The only direction we cast is down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down (x2)

My pain is self-chosen
At least I believe it to be
I could either drown
Or pull off my skin and wade to shore
Now I can grow a beautiful shell for all to see

The River of Deceit pulls down, yeah
The only direction we cast is down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down (x2)

The pain is self-chosen, yeah
Our pain is self-chosen

Layne was a genius.

Waddington Shank Alternatives

2010-11-30T20:46:00.000-08:00

I gave up tying on Waddington Shanks years ago. I went from spending the money on them to making them using spinner materials then cotter pins. I just didn't like the way they looked like in the end and stopped tying super long flies. I then moved on to Mustad 34007 then 3407DT. The 3407DT's were cheaper but found an alternative when a friend showed me these old Mustad - Bridgeport Snapper Hooks. I was then shocked when I got 800 of then for only eight bucks.

These hooks are three and a half inches long and you can find them in silver and blue. These are perfect for those winter intruders or strung out flies that have become more popular over the years. I cut the hook off of them and stick them on the vice with a tube fly attachment and add the stinger hook with nylon coated wire. This is quick, easy and very effective for larger flies. Not that I am looking forward to fishing those off colored waters of winter and spring, but the added size with profile just might help you get that one tug that keeps you out there.

Happy Birthday Jimi

2010-11-27T21:35:00.000-08:00

Jimi Hendrix

Foods Gonna Run Out for Our Fish

2010-11-26T20:09:00.000-08:00

As if there wasn't enough to worry about for our native fish, researchers watching the warming trend in our ocean are now estimating a change in the 20- to 30-year weather cycle known as the Pacific decadal oscillation, leading to more cooler water. This cooler water will lead to less abundant food for native salmon and steelhead and with competition from hatcheries throughout the Pacific, this will lead to even more dwindling numbers of fish. Read more courtesy of the Seattle Times.

Black Friday

2010-11-26T00:04:00.001-08:00

Don't get trampled at Walmart fellas!

Anchor River Steelhead

2010-11-21T19:58:00.000-08:00

One of the many locations I have looked into fishing over the years is the Fall run of steelhead on the Anchor River in Southcentral Alaska. This river located on the Sterling River Highway has the largest run of steelhead in the region, once estimated at around 4000 fish. With increased pressure over the years and overlapping runs of silver salmon, many of these fish are not able to make it through Spring and onto their spawning grounds. Many are mistaken for silvers and harvested before they spend much time in freshwater. Not long ago I actually had a conversation with a friend who witnessed this while fishing the river mouth. Many of the people fishing this river as well as its neighboring Deep Creek and Ninilchik are not educated enough regarding the differences of these two species.

Despite catch and release regulations since 1989, these runs of fish are getting smaller and smaller. Read more about the plight of this run of fish and what is being done to prevent their loss courtesy of the Fairbanks Daily News.

Thompson River Hatchery Petition

2010-11-10T15:44:00.000-08:00

I received this message From Brian Niska regarding the possibility of a steelhead hatchery on the Thompson River. With the current river closure in place on the Thompson there is pressure on the BC government regarding hatchery augmentation of the Thompson system. Please consider signing this petition in support of wild steelhead.

Low & Clear

2010-11-10T12:58:00.000-08:00

LOW & CLEAR Official Trailer from Finback Films on Vimeo.

More eye candy for you guys who like that kind of thing. Interesting looking video.
"Personalities comes out in fishing and there is no way to hide it."

1,000 Steelhead Dead at Dworshak

2010-11-08T22:40:00.000-08:00

1000 steelhead died at Dworshak Dam this last Wednesday and Thursday while the Dam operators were running a routine generator maintenance project. Although most were hatchery fish, there was a lot of native fish in the bunch. Read more courtesy of The Spokesman-Review.

Oregon Fly Tiers Convention

2010-11-07T20:59:00.000-08:00

John Newbury tying a Drunella Drake Emerger.

I had a few hours before work yesterday afternoon to spend with my daughter at the Oregon Fly Tiers Show in Troutdale, Oregon. Unfortunately we got there a little later then expected and was not able to really see as much as I wanted. There really is a lot to learn at these venues, not to mention be instructed by the best of the best. Most of all I wanted to make sure my daughter was able to see that there were men and women out there that sit in front of a table and play with feather and fur, just like daddy. Although the cabellero eggs, dean lanterns and leeches that we tie together are simple and easy compared to the flies we saw tied at this venue, someday we will to tackle more complex flies together. That's going to be awesome!

Fraser River Sockeye Vs. Fish Farms

2010-11-07T15:31:00.001-08:00

Pathogen culturing facilities!

November Sucks!

2010-11-05T23:14:00.000-07:00

Not really, but on the West side of the state you never know what you are going to get. Cold, rain, showers, blown out rivers, spawners, darkies, mold, ragweed, short days, dry lines disappear and leaf takes are annoying. Driving over to the East side means multi-day trips because with the short cold days you really have to make the most of it. I generally fish the locals a bit when they are in shape, but with the few salmon around that are on the spawn and higher flows, you never know what you are going to get out of your day. I want to stay away from those precious redds and there are fewer bright steelhead around to make it worth it.

Still fishing time is fishing time and in the Pacific Northwest there really is an endless season. What I mean is there is always something to fish for every month of the year. This year I finally got off my ass to check out Puget Sound in hopes of finding one of those looked down upon salmonids, the chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). Yeah there are a few places you can find them in Oregon Coastal streams closer to home, but really those should be closed. Yeah I said it, those very depressed runs should be left alone. Sorry guys, but ODFW shut them down.

Keith putting his work in.

There are quite a few places to find chum salmon in the sound and Keith and I decided to check out a terminal fishery not to terribly far from home and use the sled to find them. I had only been to this location once before and it was more a recon mission years ago. This was a totally different experience for me. I have done quite a bit of estuary fly fishing for salmon in Alaska, but never in Washington. From my personal experience, salmon in the lower forty-eight hate me and I am no dentist.

Not knowing what to expect and not putting a lot of thought into it we got there the day after this section of the sound was netted. Starting our day at low tide, we ended up parked next to a lot of gear guys fishing bobbers with eggs, sandshrimp and sardines. Not really what we were looking for, but there was fish there and stuck around watching bobbers go down in the boat next to us for a few hours. We through the kitchen sink a them with nothing but a sculpin to hand. It was a bit frustrating, but like I said, we really didn't know what we were getting into.

Guys lining up at the hatchery at high tide. It didn't look like much fun.

Hours later when high tide came in we saw some interesting things. One was what I can only call the crowding of the hatchery. Both by fish and fishermen. This was a bit funny and disgusting at the same time. People in line crowding a creek mouth while salmon pile in. That was not my cup of tea and was glad I was in a boat in the distance. But at the same time more fish started to move in closer to shore and finally Keith and I started to get grabs and hookups. It was not before long that my first dime bright chum was caught. I saw this somewhat loosely, because as we all know even bright chum are not that bright. Still all the fish we caught were ridiculously covered in sea lice and yes bright. The amount of sea lice was almost shocking on some fish. Dozens spread throughout their body, including there heads and fins. Goddam salmon farms!

Bright Chum?

What worked for me was a full intermediate Airflo 40 Plus Saltwater line with a short leader and both chartreuse and green chum candy on an Echo II 9 weight saltwater rod. The 40 Plus rocks! The Echo II was a bit too much for these fish, but good to cast when the wind was up. FYI, Echo is apparently retiring that model rod this year.

Paul Kim fighting one of several fish.

We also ran into Paul Kim of Felt Soul. A local from Bellevue, Washington that recognized me on the water. Always an odd feeling when someone asks if you are who you are. Paul writes an interesting blog from his perspective of Washington fishing, especially when discussing Puget Sound fishing. You should check it out.

I am looking forward to learning more about what the Puget Sound has to offer, and what needs to be done to help restore the ailing steelhead populations in that region of Washington. I doubt I will be able to make it back again this year, but can't wait to find more new water.

Sad Day for the Thompson

2010-11-05T00:31:00.000-07:00

Once again Canadian officials have chosen to keep the Thompson River closed to angling this Fall. It is estimated that there is a 30 percent chance that more than 850 fish will return to the tributaries of the Thompson River to spawn next spring. This is a sad day for steelhead, the anglers that follow them, the community that relies on the fishermen and the future for this fabled river. Read more courtesy of Kamloops Daily News and the Thompson Fisheries Blog.

The other sad news is hatchery introduced steelhead are being considered. Fuck!

Obama's Salmon Plan

2010-11-02T16:56:00.000-07:00

I received a letter recently from Sam Mace, the Inland Northwest Director for Save Our Wild Salmon recently discussing the impacts, or lack thereof in the Obama administration's changes in the old Bush Salmon Plan. Instead of trying to summarize the plan, you can read the Save Our Wild Salmon Press Release below and check out there site. As the disgust rises and you reach a melting point, make sure to voice your opinion in letters, joining organizations or just speaking your mind on this matter.

PORTLAND, Ore. – A coalition of fishing, business, and conservation organizations asked a federal judge today to declare President Obama’s Columbia and Snake River salmon recovery plan illegal.

“We’d like to pretend this plan is just a ‘trick’ and the ‘treat’ is still to come,” said Michael Garrity of American Rivers. “But we can’t. We’ve been here too many times before. This administration has got to stop trying to put a pretty costume on an ugly plan and start following the law and science. We’re dealing with people’s livelihoods and keystone species on the brink of extinction.

Because federal dams are harming threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead in the Columbia and Snake rivers, the law requires federal agencies to create a plan – or biological opinion (BiOp) – to reduce the damage. The papers filed today respond to the Obama administration’s continuing failure to provide legal, science-based plan.

“For two years the coalition has asked the Obama administration to uphold its promises for scientific integrity and transparency,” said former Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fisheries chief Jim Martin. “It appears those were empty promises. If anything, the administration is going backward in terms of openness and scientific integrity.”

In 2009, the coalition asked Obama to review the 2008 Bush salmon plan. The Obama
administration agreed to do so, but instead of significantly improving the legally flawed Bush salmon plan, the administration adopted the plan as its own. The only addition from the Obama administration was an Adaptive Management Implementation Plan (AMIP) that promises only to study additional measures to help Endangered Species Act-listed salmon should their populations collapse.

The Western Division of the American Fisheries Society judges the AMIP “inadequate for ensuring the protection of threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin.”

The Society review found that rather than using a precautionary approach to protecting threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead, the plan “seems to use a precautionary principle to support the 2008 Biological Opinion and defend the status quo.”

Such skepticism of the Obama approach is widespread. “The federal government simply ignored science that didn’t meet its political goals – it ignored science from the AFS, fisheries biologists with the State of Oregon or the Nez Perce Tribe, and its own so-called ‘independent scientists,’” Martin said. “This plan puts the weight of risk on the fish in violation of the law, and the risk is of extinction.”
The Obama plan, according to the coalition’s filing, augments the flawed approaches of the past with new unscientific defects. For example, the Obama plan details the threat climate change poses to salmon, but proposes no new actions to address climate impacts.

Obama’s plan offers no new actions to protect Snake River sockeye salmon whose woefully low numbers have already tripped predetermined action “triggers.” The Western Division of the American Fisheries Society deems the federal agency approach to Snake River sockeye protection “inappropriate.”

Moreover, the Obama administration’s process for adopting the biological opinion has been shrouded in mystery. Legal proceedings have revealed federal agencies’ refusal to release more than 40 percent of the relevant documents.

"The current plan is nothing more than more of the same failed policies of the Bush
administration, only with a new cover sheet.” said Zeke Grader, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations (PCFFA), one of the plaintiff groups. “We’re seeing neither good science nor good policy in this plan – just another prescription for failure. More failure just destroys more salmon-dependent jobs. At-risk salmon-dependent communities have a right to a plan based on science and law, not on politics and denial.”

Briefing on the case will continue through the end of 2010. A hearing before the United States District Court in Oregon isn’t expected until early 2011.

Plaintiffs in this case include a broad range of regional and national conservation groups, fishing associations, and business interests. They are joined by the State of Oregon, the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho, and the Spokane Tribe of Washington.

The End of the Line

2010-10-30T22:09:00.001-07:00

The inevitable truth of what is happening to the fish in our oceans. Check out more here.

Grizzly Charging Buffalo

2010-10-28T14:29:00.001-07:00

Holly cow, this is in Yellowstone National Park. The Grizzly is estimated at 800 pounds while the Buffalo was estimated at 1600 pounds. Now that is a lot of buffalo burger. Read more courtesy of ktvq.com.

Steelhead Camp in Pictures

2010-10-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

John Kirk on his first steelhead adventure. After a few spey casting lessions and a few days on the water he was bent into the first steelhead of his life, not to mention first fish on the spey rod. There was four guys in camp who caught their first swung steelhead and one very talented Laura Jenkins who got her first also. Photo: Ian Majszak

Brain Chou casting a Bob Clay Riverwatch Dean Bamboo spey rod. Photo: Ian Majszak

Walking back from a morning of tug and war. I lost!!! Photo: Ian Majszak

Getting ready for battle. Photo: Ian Majszak

Matt Klara fixing his shit. Photo: Ian Majszak

Matt with the fruits of his labor. Photo: Ian Majszak

Fergus Skater Love! Photo: Michael Davidchik

Keith Darnall and John Kirk Classing up the Place. Photo: Ian Majszak

Jeff Nelson with one of a couple fish he caught on his first steelhead camp. Photo: Ian Majszak

Reading the Steelhead Bible after a morning session. Photo: Ian Majszak

Getting ready for the morning run. Photo: Ian Majszak

Keith running the Svendsen. Photo: Ian Majszak

Matney with the fastest boat on the river that morning. Photo: Ian Majszak

Checking out the scenery on the big river. Photo: Brian Chou

Lots of nights were spend like this. At one point we had 18 people around the campfire. Good times with good friends. I think the topic of this night was why Missoula sucked so much. Photo: Ian Majszak

There was another way to keep warm at night other then the campfire. Photo: Ian Majszak

Going to bed early, what a bunch of biaaaaaatches! Photo: Ian Majszak

Proving a point, one drunken night Matney tied up the Blue Death. The Blue Death is nothing but blue flashabou, and yes he picked my pocket with it. Photo: Michael Davidchik

An unnamed Alaskan educating us on landing skills. Photo: Michael Davidchik

Ian Majszak getting the shot. Photo: Matt Klara

Brian and I enjoying the moment. Matt's Powerspey, dryline, Scott T2H and a Red Wing Blackbird brought me some love in a run that hates me. Photo: Ian Majszak

Part of the steelhead crew the morning the Missoula boys left. Missoula Vs. Bozeman, what a stupid battle. Too bad neither of them have steelhead back home. Lots of guys and gals not in the picture. Photo: Ian Majszak

Alaskan Chinook Bycatch at a Record High

2010-10-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

You chinook salmon lovers out there may find it interesting that once again the Alaskan polluck fishery has put a serious dent in chinook stocks traveling throughout the Gulf of Alaska. Chinnok are a highly migratory species and many of the fish caught in Alaska are from stocks in the lower 48 and Canada. This includes fish from the Upper Willamette and Lower Columbia Rivers that have been tracked in the past and are endangered. This years tally in the Polluck fishery was over 58 thousand, which is almost three times greater then average 20 thousand. Read more courtesy of the Kodiak Daily Mirror.

Love Your River

2010-10-23T23:36:00.000-07:00

"Love Your River" is a program developed by the Oregon Environmental Council. The OEC safeguards what Oregonians love about Oregon—clean air and water, an unpolluted landscape and healthy food produced by local farmers. For more than 40 years, they have sought out solutions to protect the health of every Oregonian and the place we call home.

This program challenges you to get to know your waterways and how little things can make a big difference. This months action is reducing your own personal oil spill. For instance washing your car in your driveway bleeds oil into your local watershed. Though it costs a few extra dollars to go to a commercial car wash, they are required to treat the water for disposal and some even recycle. Pretty cool and makes a lot of sense. The little things add up and make a difference and I am looking forward to learning more.

This site is a fun easy way to get to know how each of us can become better stewards of the rivers we cherish. The "Love Your River" is complete with an online toolkit and monthly prize drawings. Sign up for the Love Your River campaign to get monthly action tips, find out how clean your favorite rivers are, and win prizes like camping gear and backpacks when you take action to love your river. Check out Love Your River and what the Oregon Environmental Council is doing for your rivers.