BackwoodsBassr
Well-Known Member
Since I can't find the "Reports" section I wont post any trib names/locations.
I arrived at an Eastern Trib at about 1:00pm on Saturday afternoon to work in some fishing while visiting the GF's family. We had originally planned on going for pike at a marina but decided to go for steel instead once we saw the crowds drifting away at the river mouth. It was a beautiful day, the sun was out and there were only a few passing clouds in the sky. Although the river was blown, chocolate milk, however you steelheaders like to put it, there was no doubt that there were some fish to be had. The bows were rising, popping up at the surface, and there were even one or two jumpers.
My buddy and I were fishing the western bank and had a lot of room to cast. We were both using small spinners on spinning gear. I had on a size 2 colorado blade I had painted chartreuse and hot pink to imitate a drifting egg sack; #6 single hook. After a while without any hits, I threw on a plastic 2.5" charteruse grub so I could roll the spinner a little slower. Second cast, fish on! I was pretty pumped...but also a little worried for my 6'6" M rod, 6lb test line, and 2500F reel. After a minute or two of fighting the fish someone who knew the area pointed me to some mud flats where I could land it.
Unfortunately, after a fight that lasted much too long for comfort, it was obvious that I had accidentally snagged the fish in the tail. It was a beautiful fish, river colours, probably 10-11 lbs. The hook was popped out within 3 seconds of the fish leaving the water, and when I placed it back in it darted away without any apparent signs of trauma. We didn't fish for much longer and both ended up going 0/0 for the day.
We returned the next day at about 6:30 am to see if we would have better luck. Unfortunately, although my buddy caught sight of a huge tailfin, I didn't see any signs of the steelies this time around. We packed it in at about 9:00am, and we both ended up going 0/0 for the weekend.
I wasn't expecting to catch anything but was hoping to have seen some other folks get some fish on. Unfortunately I didn't see anyone get so much as a bite.
All in all though I was glad I decided to go. There were some very friendly people, and it was cool to observe the drifters doing their thing.
I arrived at an Eastern Trib at about 1:00pm on Saturday afternoon to work in some fishing while visiting the GF's family. We had originally planned on going for pike at a marina but decided to go for steel instead once we saw the crowds drifting away at the river mouth. It was a beautiful day, the sun was out and there were only a few passing clouds in the sky. Although the river was blown, chocolate milk, however you steelheaders like to put it, there was no doubt that there were some fish to be had. The bows were rising, popping up at the surface, and there were even one or two jumpers.
My buddy and I were fishing the western bank and had a lot of room to cast. We were both using small spinners on spinning gear. I had on a size 2 colorado blade I had painted chartreuse and hot pink to imitate a drifting egg sack; #6 single hook. After a while without any hits, I threw on a plastic 2.5" charteruse grub so I could roll the spinner a little slower. Second cast, fish on! I was pretty pumped...but also a little worried for my 6'6" M rod, 6lb test line, and 2500F reel. After a minute or two of fighting the fish someone who knew the area pointed me to some mud flats where I could land it.
Unfortunately, after a fight that lasted much too long for comfort, it was obvious that I had accidentally snagged the fish in the tail. It was a beautiful fish, river colours, probably 10-11 lbs. The hook was popped out within 3 seconds of the fish leaving the water, and when I placed it back in it darted away without any apparent signs of trauma. We didn't fish for much longer and both ended up going 0/0 for the day.
We returned the next day at about 6:30 am to see if we would have better luck. Unfortunately, although my buddy caught sight of a huge tailfin, I didn't see any signs of the steelies this time around. We packed it in at about 9:00am, and we both ended up going 0/0 for the weekend.
I wasn't expecting to catch anything but was hoping to have seen some other folks get some fish on. Unfortunately I didn't see anyone get so much as a bite.
All in all though I was glad I decided to go. There were some very friendly people, and it was cool to observe the drifters doing their thing.
Here is the brand of flurocarbon leader i use and the hook and bead set up. With size reference to a george the 6th penny ( yes i collect coins haha, but thats for a differrnt forum ) 
