Weather window opened up this week, and I have a client who I have guided for almost 12 years now who wanted to catch a big coastal steelhead.
He's done the L.S. steelhead thing, and the Trinity steelhead thing...but he wanted to catch a REAL STEELHEAD. Not a tired, old, been in the river for weeks or even months fish. We'd been there and done that...and my last trip up on the T was highlighted by one of my clients asking me "when is this fish gonna jump or do something". Wasn't looking for that experience again....so we went toward the ocean....looking for sea lice fish.
We hit the road at o'dark thirty...drove a few hours into OR. and hung a left toward the coast.... somewhere between the California and Washington borders.
Day one was good for me as I scored a 31" wild hen that was chrome as can be and spent a lot of time in the air. We were about 14 miles from the ocean at the time. After that, I had two good tugs on the spey rod that didn't hook up. Seeing as the tug is the drug for me, I was good for the remainder of the trip even tho I didn't hook up with those two. Now, I wanted to get my client/friend into one.
Day two was the day. A pal I guide with in AK drove down from his hometown and brough his driftboat...so we floated and covered a lot of water.
I gave my client the front of the boat all day, so he could have the choice water. He ended up going 1 for 3. Attached is a pic of a wild buck prior to release. We guessed to be in the 33 inch / 13-14 pound range.
There was sea lice on this fish when we landed it. Mission accomplished. Fish in hand. Smiles all around.
I got more of a kick out of watching him score his first coastal steelhead than I got outta catching one of my own.
Life is good.
sd
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