Maybe it's what we feel as a segment of the fly fishing population that defines "real" steelheader...
A consuming LOVE of this species and a respect for their fighting abilities.
Our behavior, where we'd pass up the possibility of Bjornian numbers of rainbows or cutthroats to possibly hookup one, or on some streams a few, steelies in a day, no matter what the fly rod tactic. Let me stress this. How many non-steelheaders have shaken their heads in confusion when you've told them of days of steelheading without ONE grab?
An addiction to that grab, whether it's an arm-wrenching pull, the gentle tap of a swung fly in clear water or maybe even the immediate screaming run and sky-bound leap you get just after you set on a (I shudder to say this
) twitching or plunging bobicator.
A love of this species so deep, that floors are paced in anticipation of fishing "next season". A sparkle in the eye and all care-lines disappearing from our faces when we talk about our steelhead, especially when describing them to non-steelheaders.
A love so deep that long days, starting before dawn and ending when fatigue and darkness force us to trudge back to the car, are followed by the same ritual the next day.
A love so deep that we can be a bit irresponsible as we head to the rivers when we really should be addressing something else that needs attention in our lives.
There are more traits that real steelheaders have in common, but I'll just end this here. If this post has brought a knowing smile to your and total understanding to your face, then you're a real fly fishing steelheader.
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