On an extended season such as the one we have been enjoying and taking advantage of one knows how protean the conditions can be. Thus it is that we set out with excitement (as always) and not an insignificant degree of trepidation.
As always (exacerbated by age unfortunately) the alarm chimes too early, you stumble through the dark, fumble with your base-layers, step on the dog--this melee of course at frustrating odds with the planned-for stealth which would otherwise have carried you as a spectre out of the house.
It's (predictably) colder than the 5 degrees the weather reports promised as you throw the remaining kit into the back of the car. The nagging feeling something has been left behind as you make the obligatory detour to Tims. Then onto the highway for the meditative pilgrimage to the first pool of the day. You arrive while still dark, the cold blast gives you pause to consider whether this steelhead obsession is pathological (you already miss the wife and children). You slide into your waders and cold-weather gear, and that nagging feeling you felt as you left several hours before, suddenly, and with terribly lucidity is resolved as you stare at the (empty) space you expect to see your 6 wght. 11 foot Z-Axis…
You groan (expletives) though fortunately you find under the vests and wading jackets the float equipment you bought your son some weeks before.
Thankful for this turn of fate you make your way down to the ice-covered, packed snow banks and see that the water is off-colour to the extent that it portends a tough day of mining chrome (REALLY TOUGH). A local says that the river had been frozen over--the day before with the slight rise in temps the ice cleared.
Your every step breaks through the thin layer of ice over the pack snow and you sink to mid-thigh--makes you consider bush-whacking to the pool. Push through wade across a section, big step up to a snow shelf, catch you boot under the ice…you fall foreword needing to save camera and fishing gear, break the fall with your left hand…
ICE DAMAGE
[attachment=8922:icedamage.jpg]
Onward, you finally make your way to the pool--water is up, and deeply stained so I opt for a bright Estaz to elicit some interest until such time and the air temps rise and water begins to slowly clear. No dice. Worm--also no takes. A plethora of tactics and presentations when the breakfast hour chimes (always seems to be around 9:00 am) and I pick up some good hard taps.
ESTAZ4MUD
[attachment=8923:estaz4mud.jpg] [attachment=8924:trib.jpg]
The water slowly clears adding another 4 inches of visibility and with that finally the float hesitates--hangs up a moment longer--lift the rod tip and I am rewarded with the slow throb that is the telltale lazy head shake of a late-season steelhead in cold water.
ONE MORE HIT
[attachment=8925:SteelA.jpg]
It's what I wanted--one more hit of crack before I shut it down. Late morning, fish another hour or so and head back to the warmth of family.
Winter comes and you dream again…
You dream the dream of chrome, steelhead that elude you, break you off, and those that offer up their fighting spirit--angry steelhead undressing your reel and pushing your gear to the limit...
It's been a great season with superlative reports from everyone!!!
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JAN-report
Started by ChaseChrome, Jan 09 2012 12:15 PM
18 replies to this topic
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#2
troutddicted
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Bouts with trouts
Posted 09 January 2012 - 12:35 PM
One of the best reports I've read in a while!
Killer pics and a spectacular write up
I had quite the chuckle! Too bad about your finger, steelheading is risky business.
Killer pics and a spectacular write up
I had quite the chuckle! Too bad about your finger, steelheading is risky business.
#3
staffman
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Smallmouth Bass
Posted 09 January 2012 - 01:28 PM
Excellent report, you make me want to get out to the river.
#4
Guest_Blair_*
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Posted 09 January 2012 - 05:34 PM
Tap ... Tap.... Tap.......
No other feeling like it in the world.
Fills our dreams!
Great report.... thanks!
PS: Did you mix some of YOUR BLOOD in with the bait? *SMILES* (Want to know if I should get a "pint")
No other feeling like it in the world.
Fills our dreams!
Great report.... thanks!
PS: Did you mix some of YOUR BLOOD in with the bait? *SMILES* (Want to know if I should get a "pint")
#5
getin
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Perch
Posted 09 January 2012 - 05:40 PM
amazing writing! Very journalistic & a great report!
#6
Majstor
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VIP Pro Staff
Posted 09 January 2012 - 06:33 PM
sweet report chase, enjoyed reading it well written 
bet it was all worth it for that beauty buck 
bet it was all worth it for that beauty buck
#7
Brian
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Perch
Posted 09 January 2012 - 07:05 PM
you painted the picture perfectly...well written and well done...
#9
frozenfire
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Posted 10 January 2012 - 12:09 AM
Amazing...
Too bad about the gash. If it makes you feel any better, I would've done the same
Too bad about the gash. If it makes you feel any better, I would've done the same
#10
LICENSETOPIN
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Skrilla Skrilla
Posted 10 January 2012 - 01:13 AM
way to get er done
#11
Spinninreel
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Piscicapturist
Posted 10 January 2012 - 02:04 AM
Well written! I enjoyed that. Thanks.
#12
Equinox
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Sunfish
Posted 10 January 2012 - 09:16 AM
Reading your prose during my morning coffee ...coudnt help feeling the brused knee and elbow bones I received during a endo to protect my gear as I smacked down on the rocks at my last outing .Skunked and bruised it was still a great day on the river.
On an extended season such as the one we have been enjoying and taking advantage of one knows how protean the conditions can be. Thus it is that we set out with excitement (as always) and not an insignificant degree of trepidation.
As always (exacerbated by age unfortunately) the alarm chimes too early, you stumble through the dark, fumble with your base-layers, step on the dog--this melee of course at frustrating odds with the planned-for stealth which would otherwise have carried you as a spectre out of the house.
It's (predictably) colder than the 5 degrees the weather reports promised as you throw the remaining kit into the back of the car. The nagging feeling something has been left behind as you make the obligatory detour to Tims. Then onto the highway for the meditative pilgrimage to the first pool of the day. You arrive while still dark, the cold blast gives you pause to consider whether this steelhead obsession is pathological (you already miss the wife and children). You slide into your waders and cold-weather gear, and that nagging feeling you felt as you left several hours before, suddenly, and with terribly lucidity is resolved as you stare at the (empty) space you expect to see your 6 wght. 11 foot Z-Axis…
You groan (expletives) though fortunately you find under the vests and wading jackets the float equipment you bought your son some weeks before.
Thankful for this turn of fate you make your way down to the ice-covered, packed snow banks and see that the water is off-colour to the extent that it portends a tough day of mining chrome (REALLY TOUGH). A local says that the river had been frozen over--the day before with the slight rise in temps the ice cleared.
Your every step breaks through the thin layer of ice over the pack snow and you sink to mid-thigh--makes you consider bush-whacking to the pool. Push through wade across a section, big step up to a snow shelf, catch you boot under the ice…you fall foreword needing to save camera and fishing gear, break the fall with your left hand…
ICE DAMAGE
[attachment=8922:icedamage.jpg]
Onward, you finally make your way to the pool--water is up, and deeply stained so I opt for a bright Estaz to elicit some interest until such time and the air temps rise and water begins to slowly clear. No dice. Worm--also no takes. A plethora of tactics and presentations when the breakfast hour chimes (always seems to be around 9:00 am) and I pick up some good hard taps.
ESTAZ4MUD
[attachment=8923:estaz4mud.jpg] [attachment=8924:trib.jpg]
The water slowly clears adding another 4 inches of visibility and with that finally the float hesitates--hangs up a moment longer--lift the rod tip and I am rewarded with the slow throb that is the telltale lazy head shake of a late-season steelhead in cold water.
ONE MORE HIT
[attachment=8925:SteelA.jpg]
It's what I wanted--one more hit of crack before I shut it down. Late morning, fish another hour or so and head back to the warmth of family.
Winter comes and you dream again…
You dream the dream of chrome, steelhead that elude you, break you off, and those that offer up their fighting spirit--angry steelhead undressing your reel and pushing your gear to the limit...
It's been a great season with superlative reports from everyone!!!
#13
NOTTA STEELER
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Sunfish
Posted 10 January 2012 - 10:48 AM
Well done , C.C. !!
Like the others have mentioned , we have all , pretty much had a situation or two to recover from .
The cuts and bruises , etc. . Well told and I could envision you doing those things as I read .
One of the main reasons I don't fish alone anymore is , I went down to my favourite hole and began drifting .
I hooked into a large Steelhead and as I walked down to the tail out to land him , I sunk down in the loose sand , and ...
I couldn't pull my boot foot waders out . I basically had cement shoes and too far from shore for leverage , it was November and freezing
conditions. My only option was to undo and pull out of my waders into the ice water , no phone , alas ...
Luck was coming , an old retired Italian man who fished with lures came down , I called out to him and he rescued me .
I don't fish alone anymore or without my cell and I did land the fish in my cement shoes . LOL
Like the others have mentioned , we have all , pretty much had a situation or two to recover from .
The cuts and bruises , etc. . Well told and I could envision you doing those things as I read .
One of the main reasons I don't fish alone anymore is , I went down to my favourite hole and began drifting .
I hooked into a large Steelhead and as I walked down to the tail out to land him , I sunk down in the loose sand , and ...
I couldn't pull my boot foot waders out . I basically had cement shoes and too far from shore for leverage , it was November and freezing
conditions. My only option was to undo and pull out of my waders into the ice water , no phone , alas ...
Luck was coming , an old retired Italian man who fished with lures came down , I called out to him and he rescued me .
I don't fish alone anymore or without my cell and I did land the fish in my cement shoes . LOL
#14
ChaseChrome
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Posted 11 January 2012 - 10:52 AM
Well done , C.C. !!
Like the others have mentioned , we have all , pretty much had a situation or two to recover from .
The cuts and bruises , etc. . Well told and I could envision you doing those things as I read .
One of the main reasons I don't fish alone anymore is , I went down to my favourite hole and began drifting .
I hooked into a large Steelhead and as I walked down to the tail out to land him , I sunk down in the loose sand , and ...
I couldn't pull my boot foot waders out . I basically had cement shoes and too far from shore for leverage , it was November and freezing
conditions. My only option was to undo and pull out of my waders into the ice water , no phone , alas ...
Luck was coming , an old retired Italian man who fished with lures came down , I called out to him and he rescued me .
I don't fish alone anymore or without my cell and I did land the fish in my cement shoes . LOL
YIKES!!
#15
ChaseChrome
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Banned
Posted 11 January 2012 - 10:53 AM
Hey Guys:
Thanks all for the generous replies--always happy to help feed the ADDICTION
Thanks all for the generous replies--always happy to help feed the ADDICTION
#16
Float down
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Perch
Posted 11 January 2012 - 02:23 PM
The only bad injury I ever sustained was being very hung over and breaking three feet off the only expensive rod I've ever owned... With a car door.
#17
ChaseChrome
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Posted 11 January 2012 - 06:18 PM
The only bad injury I ever sustained was being very hung over and breaking three feet off the only expensive rod I've ever owned... With a car door.
NOW THAT'S A BAD INJURY!!!
#18
Jim
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Sunfish
Posted 13 January 2012 - 07:18 PM
Great report and pics. Funny most of us have taken a tumble and the first thing we protect is the equipment - the body takes a beaten. LOL My wife was carrying my rod across some rocks as I climbed out of the rock pit pool - passed upto her - she stumbled and fell all the anglers gasped - my first question was did the rod get whacked - she swatted me - she also said the other anglers gasped for the rod not her. She still tells that story 20 years later. Body will repair but some rods are irreplacable. LMAO I have been sucked in to the soft sand also and climbed out of my waders with assistance - scary thought if I was alone.
#19
ChaseChrome
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Banned
Posted 13 January 2012 - 08:08 PM
Great report and pics. Funny most of us have taken a tumble and the first thing we protect is the equipment - the body takes a beaten. LOL My wife was carrying my rod across some rocks as I climbed out of the rock pit pool - passed upto her - she stumbled and fell all the anglers gasped - my first question was did the rod get whacked - she swatted me - she also said the other anglers gasped for the rod not her. She still tells that story 20 years later. Body will repair but some rods are irreplacable. LMAO I have been sucked in to the soft sand also and climbed out of my waders with assistance - scary thought if I was alone.
LOL!!
Guess you had to visit the jewelry store after that one Jim
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