FLY fishing rewards me (even when I'm not successful) in more ways than I can count. The retreat to nature. The primal connection to water. Unplugging from routine. A different focus. Companionship on the way to and from and the solitude and quiet during the actual pursuit. The thrill of anticipation and quest for perfection in presentation. They all add up. It's more than enough to balance lack of success. And there in lies the rub. I suck at fly fishing for steelhead.
It's not like I don't know HOW to catch them. I bait fished for 30 years - landed 36 steelhead in 6 trips one year - side-drifting on the Cowlitz, including a 23lb 6oz fish on 6# leader. Moving to Oregon, I have a friend and former guide with whom I have caught 8 steelhead on two outings on the Oregon coast and 8 springers on two trips down a small Washington river. On bait. His bait. GOOD bait. But steelies don't come to my flies.
I took up fly fishing about 8 years ago. Always said I wouldn't get into it until I could afford to. OVERSPENT at first but I've now cut back to 9 rods, 10 reels w/ 10 lines along with 4 inflatable watercraft and 24 boxes of meticulously maintained (FULL) fly boxes. Well, you know............lakes, streams, rivers, trout, bulls, bass, carp, salmon, STEELHEAD......I NEED all those flies........
My first couple of years were consumed by learning how to fish all over again. Fly fishing is a 2 handed sport. Line control, drag free drift, wet fly presentations, high stick nymphing, fly selection - SO MANY details, not just to LEARN but to PERFECT - and to fool a critter I have NO intention of taking home with a brain the size of a pea (the trout's - NOT mine!)
I've owned 2 spey rods - sold ‘em both (because of sinking lines) - I couldn't seem, despite numerous lessons, to get the hang of getting that #@!!&* sink tip up, out and airborn. It was supposed to be FUN - that was nothing but WORK!!
Last winter, I won a 2 piece, 10' 7wt blank and had a friend (thanks, Paul!) build it into sort of a switch rod. Looked like an inexpensive (after 2 VERY expensive spey outfits) way to put my toe into the pool, as it were. I do remember spey casting basics and I had purchased a new Wulff "Ambush" 8wt line for another (normally my "nymph" rod, on which, incidentally, I'd hooked, but not landed, 2 steelhead) and decided to try it out. Yesterday.
Drove up the gorge and crossed to the Washington side. It was still 87 degrees as I headed up the canyon. The wind was howling and the river, due to glacial melt, boasted 6" of visibility. NOT good signs. Still, there were cars pulled off in turnouts and I persisted, talking to others I met (pretty much a tight-lipped bunch). One local was helpful. Fishing HAD been better - two days ago. "When the water was better". We exchanged phone numbers - I could call for river info! Much better than driving 100 miles to be disappointed. A glimmer of future hope!
So, what now? Home? Or casting practice? I opted for the latter. And incredibly, the wind slowed. And I found a run that looked promising. And the rod began to work for me. And the river began to clear. And before I left, I saw 2 steelhead! (I WAS in the "right place"!) Watched one roll near my fly, and another jump just beyond my range (for now). REAL HOPE (and CHANGE )!
So here goes - the beginning of the QUEST! I'm determined to be successful THIS YEAR! - that river, that rod, that handful of flies. I am committed to land one and I'll keep you posted. Wish me luck!
PS
My other "passion" is my Welsh Terrier, Derry.....but I'll save that topic for another blog!
PSS
And my wife and I are great Realtors.....She keeps the business going while I'm on the river :)
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