ChaseChrome
Banned
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2011
- Messages
- 2,448
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
View attachment 8922
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
View attachment 8923 View attachment 8924
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
View attachment 8925
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!!!
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
View attachment 8922
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
View attachment 8923 View attachment 8924
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
View attachment 8925
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!!!
