Dear Lord! Salmon River Report 10-23-2007

[JUICE]

Dear God In Heaven,

Justin here... Just wanted to say; thank you for the greatest day of fishing ever. In case you weren't watching, here's what happened:

Aaron and I hit the Salmon River after a call from the infamous Kevin of www.catchthedrift.com . DavetheRave had a banner day and Aaron and I felt the need to chase some steel as well. We expected a half hour of rain and some chances at steel, what we didn't expect was 12 hours of constant showers and 12 hours of constant pure excitement. Aaron had to hook close to 100 and I must have hooked up with close to 40. I landed 15 and Aaron landed over 60 steelhead. Fish were caught on trout beads and egg sacs. I even took the center pin rod for a spin. The biggest fish were 12 to 15 pounds but the average was 6 to 8 We kind of stopped counting Aaron's right before we passed out from exhaustion on the banks of the mighty salmon. Things I learned this weekend:

1. Steelhead are the best fighting fish out there. I haven't fished for them all, but it's hard to imagine better pound for pound.
2. The people fishing for steelhead are much more cordial then the ones fishing for Salmon, however, there are a fair number of jerks on that river EVERYDAY.
3. Center Pin rods hook a ton more fish in many circumstances then a fly rod, however, for me, there is nothing like fighting a fish on a fly rod.
4. When Aaron says: "This is the best day I have ever had on this river and I've fished the Salmon hundreds of times for steel." You make sure to take it all in, because you have had the day of three lifetimes. If fishing impresses Aaron that much, it should knock you to the floor.

I will have pictures up soon after a bit of editing, however, I just wanted everyone here to know; even after fishing with Aaron two or three days a week for a year, I continued to be impressed, no, AMAZED, at how many fish he catches no matter the species, water level, technique, and place.

[Col. Trautman]

Hey All,

Been going to the SR for 4 years now and I also hit a epic run this Sept. but they were Cohos.
Best day of fishing up there yet.

I almost even had a grand slam but did not land the massive brown after a long fight.
It was funny to see my guide jump up with the net and start running like a boy possesed after it made a leap and showed its colors. He said it was by far the biggest brown he has seen one of his "sports" get into on the river (vs. Lake O).

Anyway, just wanted everyone to know that there is no hype about that place, it is heaven on Earth and 5 hours from SW CT.

Finally, I enjoy TPO and all the info/knowledge but for my latest Salmon River posts and funny stories about that place I go to www.salmoncrazy.com It's a fun forum with colorful characters.


The Col.

[AaronJasper]

I do agree SalmonCrazy.com is an awesome website and forum for fishing up there! Craydaddy and Lil'salmon do a great job and they are good guys as well.

[Dave]

Man, that day sounded like it was off the *%#@'n charts! I was kicking myself the whole day, wishing I was there minute after minute.

Can't wait to see the pics. Have your arms recovered yet gentlemen? ;D Mine are still sore! I now know the true meaning of "Steelhead Dreams"!

Definitely agreed, the anglers up there last weekend were infinitely more civil than the week prior. When I was in one of the local shops, I was speaking to one of the employees, and after asking him if he fishes often on the Salmon River, he said, "no, not without my 44 magnum. . .not until the Steel arrive." I thought that was hilarious, however there's a lot of truth to it.