Hawaiin Bonefish Release

Can't wait to go back!

Why do Steelhead bite the fly?

 

Why do Steelhead bite the fly? - Over the years this debate has been hashed over many beers or a single malt. Recently, I heard this description which I thought was 'kinda cool'...

Steelhead bite flies for one of three reasons;

1)Aggression

Definition - An attack made without reasonable cause.

Often times this particular reason is equated to the male Steelhead, reffered to as a Buck.

2)Curiosity

Definition - An object that arouses interest, as by being novel or extraordinary.

This particular reason is equated to steelhead in general; especially the females or hens.

3)Recall

Definition - Bring (a fact, event, or situation) back into one's mind.

This particular reason relates to when the fish was in the river as a smolt before they went to sea. As a smolt the fish routinely ate nymphs, dries and the like. Upon return to the river as an adult they 'bite' a fly in 'recall' of their youth when they lived in the river eating nymphs, etc. to survive.

Interesting analogy!

Upper Columbia Inspired

This little blurb of inspiration was jotted down recently and then refined and refined again. A ‘ little shorty ‘ that captures the essence of Drake fishing on the Upper Columbia.

FREE DRIFTING

Free drifting, the sun setting in the west. Glare on the water is a golden toned negative, the visual hard to comprehend. In the flow at seven miles per hour you feel you are motionless, on pause, in a time warp of water and sky.

Redband trout inhale twilight drakes, the water erupting like popcorn at each rise. Bats dive and weave picking off the big mayflies. The fading light projects a sense of urgency to the drifter, yet, at the same time, it is calming too.

Sliding into Tailout Grande is a good time to clip the hook.

Clipping the hook allows multiple takes and thus more gratification. As if the fishing is virtual. Yet it isn’t. The caddis are thick and the trout will eat the after dinner mint, but they are focused on the Rib Eye, and they are in rare form. They seek the drake, the cache smorgasbord after a long winter and spawning ritual. They need the drake, the clockwork hatch appearing when it is time to revitalize the redbands after the hard work they have endured.

Drifting free, the glare is gone. The lack of urgency is pinnacle. No visual at all, just the sound of late night gulpers and the Caddis. Caddis so annoying but in the same breath pleasant as they swarm the headlamp and face. The fly is under tension and casts are made selfishly to the sound of feeding redbands which should never be taken for granted. Thank you. Nothing virtual, just nature unfolding.-jm

Last day buck on the Klick

November 30th -  Ben lands a good one. Great way to end the season. Ben described the take as a 'crusher' - Gotta love it.

Human Free Fall from 128,000 feet - 24 miles high

 

Maybe not be the most exciting video to watch, but it is flat out incredible!  I hadn't seen this 'til just the other day - Might be old news for some... (Sept 2012)

Good Eats - Dixies Home Cookin'

 First time my wife and I ate at Dixie's Diner was January of  2011.  That morning was the first day of the 5 day Washington Sportsman Show at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.  We ate there every  morning for the remainder of the show days.  In 2012 we did the same.  We won't break stride for 2013 - We will be at the Washington Sportsman Show Jan 23-27 and eating at Dixies every AM.  We would love for you to come see us at the show and make sure you... Check out Dixie's Home Cookin   GREAT Breakfasts!   15717 Main Street E    Sumner, WA 98390     253-863-0111

 

Happy New Year!

Keven Samuelson with a recent coastal steelhead

Just seemed like a great way to bring new year hope and excitement to 2013