Salmon River, 1/2-3/09: "And The Winner Is . . ."

[Dave]

To celebrate the New Year, Aaron and I headed up to Pulaski (surprise, surprise). We had a very special treat. . .our good friend, and Master Steelheader Captain Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift Guide Service would be taking us for a “drift” down the Salmon River on Friday morning. The evening before, I kept hearing Aaron and Kevin making wagers on who would be catching the most and biggest fish the next day. The stakes kept getting higher, as were tensions. We spent the rest of the evening playing some poker and talking “Steelhead”, a great night.

We awoke to subfreezing temps and wind, but that wouldn’t deflect our plans in the least. We dumped in at Pineville and floated mid-river. Within the first two minutes Aaron and I both landed a pair of beauties. The Captain remained at the oars and gave me the hot seat up front. We continued to float the river with great success at every spot. Then the madness really started at about 11:00 when the Captain went three in a row (casts in a row) and took the lead. By high noon, we had all racked up points on the board, with all of us pretty even. Then, it was combat time for the next few hours, while we all tried to get our fish in to count on the “board”. Well folks, 2009 is officially the year of the “underdog”. That’s right, I defeated both of them by two fish! In our second to last hole, I set my hook to what I thought was a take, and then I realized I had some tangles in my line at the reel. About a minute later, I untangle, and then I feel the fish that I thought I felt before! The fish, after feeling the release in tension, stood immediately still. After I felt it again, it stormed down river, but I somehow managed to land it. In the last spot, I had to add a little insult to injury to the boys by landing another one, a “Bonus Brown”. I almost had these guys in tears. You’ve heard of the “fish whisperer”, but now I have retained the name of the “fish WHISTLER”, thanks to Kev’s reel that he had lent to me. This day was absolutely incredible with great friends filled with laughs, lots of fish, and antics to no end! Thanks Kevin, that was one of the most memorable days of all time on the river. Another CTDDDD! (Catch the Drift Double Digit Day). I'm gonna be busting those guys for YEARS about this day! Thanks again guys!

First sight after the boat launching at Pineville:


My biggest steelhead so far! The other guys starting getting scared after I got this one in.


Fish in the first spot:


Keep em' coming!




PURE Chrome, fresh from the lake!


"Bonus Brown", last one of the day:




Day 2: The Good, the Bad, and the Broke. . .
Aaron and I were looking forward to forging the river again on Saturday. After hearing forecasts of 8 degree temps and heavy snow, we knew we’d have to bring it all! We got a late start, but still managed to get to the spots with no problem. Within the first couple of casts, we both had a few, and things were looking towards another great day. We leave the first pool and then the “bad” begins: a major belt of the car engine had fallen off. We find a mechanic who throws the car on the lift, and the bad news keeps coming. This seemingly “small” problem turns into a larger one, which requires new parts and time. So, what do two guys in waders do that have no car? We left the car, and took a walk into town by foot to KEEP FISHING! We stopped by the mechanic every once in a while to check up, and every time we received worse news. Finally, Aaron has an idea to temporarily fix the problem. The mechanics deemed that idea as have a 30/70% odds of being successful, but that’s the only solution. So, we get a part needed from another shop, then come back to have the mechanics do some work (we stepped out and went fishing again!). Luckily, by 2:00, the mechanics called us to tell us that it was a successful attempt, although they weren’t sure how long the “quick fix” would last. As you can imagine, we were crossing our fingers the entire ride home, praying that the car would keep going. We persevered, and we succeeded! We got the car, and had an outstanding day of steelheading. There were times today when the action just would not stop, with fish on consecutive casts. In one particular spot, Aaron couldn't (and wouldn't) stop catching them, and in a matter of minutes racked up some serious numbers (he was paying me back for the day before ;D). Thanks Aaron, this will be a day that we’ll never forget, the good times keep rolling (literally)!

Aaron, with the fish of the day!


My first one of the day


Two confused guys without a car, but destined to keep fishing on foot!



Looks fishy to me!






On the drive home, we saw this incredible pink beam of light as the sun was setting:

[SlowNDeep]

I hate you - both of you.

[nutman]

hate is to nice a word for you two ,but sons a @#$%^%#@@might suit you better .nice pics guys ,i wish i was up there now , looks like you guys are using glo bugs catch one on a spey fly for once will you !

[Dave]

Ha ha, thanks guys, loved the responses! Eddie, I was just looking at a picture of us doubled with chrome from Thanksgiving. . .good times!

Nutman, good to hear from you. Are the rivers still swollen over your ways? I got a steelhead on a black tungsten beadhead stonefly yesterday, and we were thinking that some caddis patterns would work great on the Salmon River too right about now. Egg patterns are hard to beat this time of year, so I most often fish those, but this time I was anxious to try a stonefly and some other stuff. I would think that the winter is a hard time to try large gaudy stuff. I personally have had my best results with more subtle things, especially in regards to size. We were just discussing this actually, we'll be swinging huge flies in the spring. Spey and tube flies are the new project! I'd love to see some of your patterns and creations.

[Nymphmeister]

You did a really nice job on the post Dave, kudos. Look like you & Aaron both nailed a big fish or two, what size did you estimate those big boys at? Some of them look like really nice freshies. Dave, looking at the pix I have to ask if you were "pinning" this trip? I'm shocked! Due to the cold weather?

I especially like the pic of you smiling with the brown, and Aaron looking almost like he is scratching his head and thinking "How is Dave kicking my ass today??". Lol.

[alanb_ct]

Car troubles? Sounds familiar...

Wow, what a trip! I like the pictures of you in town walking with the rods. Glad you had a memorable trip and got back safely. Happy 2009 steelhead!

[Dave]

Thanks Alain and Torrey, happy 2009 Steelheading to you both too! This has been a great steelhead season for all of us here.

Torrey, interesting question you ask. I consider it a "hybrid" sort of fishing. Yes, I was using a centerpin reel and float rod, but I was using flies, and beads under the float. I don't use bait, although I find nothing wrong with it at all, but I just prefer the other. Probably because I've seen and know that egg sacs do work, so what interests me is to find out for myself what other stuff will produce. Does that classify as a "type" of fly fishing?! Temperatures with the wind were far below freezing, combined with the higher water, we thought this would be the most productive way to fish. I enjoy the centerpin because it really makes you think about the water hydraulic in a similar way to fly fishing (finding the perfect "drift").

We've had great times up there this year (I should say season), and the fish seem to be getting larger on average. In fact, we were just discussing yesterday on the ride home that we haven't caught a "skippy" yet this season. Yesterday the average fish was in the 10# class, with a few smaller, and quite a few larger. I would say the larger ones we caught were in the mid-lower teen range. I really want to break the 15# class this year. What really was amazing is that there were plenty of fresh fish all through the river!

[alanb_ct]

Dave, I agree completely. Given the way below freezing conditions, as a practical matter it makes little sense to fly fish - you literally spend more time clearing your guides of ice than actually fishing, so what's the point? It's not like you could not catch some with the fly rod, you obviously could, but it's just frustrating to fish with the ice. After all, you are there to have fun, catch some fish, and relax - you have nothing to prove to me.

I have done a little pinning myself, and find it to be quite interesting and challenging. The rigging is actually much more complex than fly fishing. The casting also takes a great deal of skill. Aaron showed me how to side cast with a spinning reel and I have had few big tangles. I pinned on the lower Hous one day and it was terrific.

[nutman]

[quote author=Dr.DAVEtheRAVE link=topic=2356.msg16539#msg16539 date=1231054733]
Ha ha, thanks guys, loved the responses! Eddie, I was just looking at a picture of us doubled with chrome from Thanksgiving. . .good times!

Nutman, good to hear from you. Are the rivers still swollen over your ways? I got a steelhead on a black tungsten beadhead stonefly yesterday, and we were thinking that some caddis patterns would work great on the Salmon River too right about now. Egg patterns are hard to beat this time of year, so I most often fish those, but this time I was anxious to try a stonefly and some other stuff. I would think that the winter is a hard time to try large gaudy stuff. I personally have had my best results with more subtle things, especially in regards to size. We were just discussing this actually, we'll be swinging huge flies in the spring. Spey and tube flies are the new project! I'd love to see some of your patterns and creations.
[/quote]

dave ive got some way cool stuff going on my girl is going to be home later ,so ill try to post a pic or two on the forum ,she knows how to do it I think .I have had nothing but problems trying to figure it out . im a computer retart. Look up silveys tube snake ,he is a guide out here .It is funny cause the fish like big stuff here in the winter and i mean big ! The tubes are nice because they slide up the leader .if i come home in the spring Ill show you how to tye the tube snake it is a bit complicated ,,but easy once you see it .they are like big color leeches ,or if you have heard of the pink rubber worm ,you can do one in pink, also pic your pockets, and intruders or stingers are big here . sinking lines with short leaders say two foot long . These are cathching the big boy and i mean big ,The rivers are way blown here right now .

[Gregorygob]

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