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: