The General Lee meets Driving Miss Daisy

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Good morning y'all. Well a small group of us hit the Satsop River on Saturday: Me, Osprey, DanS, Superfly, Saukit2em, and Parker + Fly's shotgun buddy, Tyler.

Loaded with a fresh supply of SILENT APPROACH jigs WOW CHECK THEM OUT (http://www.silentapproach.com) we drifted on down. Of course O's wouldn't stop talking about how wonderful my boat is compared to his, etc. We were pulling up the rear behind DanS, Sauk, and Parker images/icons/tongue.gif (O's didn't want it any other way images/icons/confused.gif ) The Steelhead king tosses in a spot that O's ends up hitting on our look at the slot = BOBBER DOWN on that incredible jig. The fight was on, and the General Lee made it to shore for the fight. A nice broodstock steelie caught and released on the pink/cerise jig tyed up by Angel. Made for a nice photo. Well the new boat was "broken in" (muh ha ha ha ha) thanks to Osprey being the victim and catching the first sportfish on the vessel. The pressure was off of us now and we weren't 20 minutes into the float.

We pass the plug monkeys to hit a stretch that I particularly like. We get out on the gravel bar and start our casts. 2nd cast out drifting a shrimp fly variation (almost looks like the Lil Jens that silent approach puts out) I hook into a bruiser. I was able to bring him in just for a second when the body turned downstream and just started like a torpedo. Ended up losing the fish and the drag was set as tight as I could put it on the 10lb test line. Still a rush, but that sick feeling in your stomach hits ya too. Still awesome though.

Well the slackers pull their boat off and fish off the gravel bar with us; Justin drifts eggs into the same slot I hooked my fish, and whammo...fish on. A spunky and I mean spunky super chrome (the brightest fish I've ever seen in a river) makes her way in to us. The steelie was a nate hen around 19" long, but what a fight though for such a small fish. The fish was covered in sea lice, fresh fresh fresh from the ocean. Quick snap with the camera and the beauty was on her way to get her groove on. I guess she "blossomed" sooner than her sisters images/icons/shocked.gif

Well Parker gets 2 fish out that slot too! One decent-sized sucker (did that one get bashed?) and then a very nice ********* (lipped and released like a bass in dedication to me, their bass god). Well Mr. Osprey whips out....his eggs and fish on again, in the same stretch....a very naahs sucker!..muh ha ha ha Of course I couldn't help but have that fish explode, courtesy of a well positioned rock, on the gravel bar. Dan finished it off with a nice "watery" grave from the bladder, sending a message to its kin. The fish ended up tasting a bit salty that night.
Met up with Joe, and a very cool kid named Tyler! Always a great thing to take a child fishing! I think Joe said they hooked 2 by the time we met up with them.
We get below the 2 driftboats with O's on the oars...he had a headache so you know my fun level just dropped several notches images/icons/frown.gif images/icons/wink.gif Sauk and Fly's boats brought down the "wall of pain" in 2 slots with 2 hook ups in the home-stretch before the take out.

I want to say thanks to Parker and that bunch for enduring those few minutes of equipment failure when the Gen. Lee got the ankering to mate with Sauk's purdeeee boat! Thanks again guys, and I assure you that problem has been taken care of.

Wonderful trip and always a pleasure to fish with those guys no matter how ugly they are. Thanks for the ride O's. I sure needed that...muh ha ha ha ha

And also, A BIG thanks to Roger and Lynn of SILENT APPROACH for the wonderful jigs! Another great trip with "wonderful" memories. Until we meet again my fine-feathered friend images/icons/cool.gif Who's yer daddy?

[parker]

I don't even know how Osprey pulled that fish out from DanS and I! Must have been those killer Silent Approach jigs, as our jigs just didn't do the trick.

Yeah, not too sure about The Redneck's rowing style! I'm happily plugging the slot when the next thing I know the General Lee is smashed up along side us! Oars cross, boats collide, rods tangle, not to mention the havock it created to the three plugs that were out fishing! images/icons/shocked.gif

Oh well, no harm done and it made us all laugh (at The Redneck's expense!). :P

Needless to say, we were forced to concede that hole to the boat above us, who promptly pulled a fish out mere seconds after we had left! images/icons/mad.gif

Near the end of the day, Osprey, The Redneck, and The General Lee left us to put out the "Wall of Pain" on the last two drifts. That produced 3 fish, all on the Steelhead King's nice shiny new virgin (not now) GL2 MBR "bass rod".

In all, we went 3 for 8, not including various suckers, and whitefish! Wasn't a great day for some fish, but it was a great day to be out on the river with some good guys.

[Jennie@ifish]

Sounds like fun.
Has me wanting to go steelie fishing again. Heck with those nasty springers.
J

[SAUKit2em]

Parker, you left out the best part. After flogging jigs, bait, etc. with not much success I couldn't take it any more and opted for "The Wall of Pain" which was to be done next to Joe "Superfly" Superfisky. About 5 minutes into it, I stated that the best two rods were the far outside on Fly's boat and the far inside on my boat. Well, the inside rod buried on Parker's rod and we let Tyler fight the fish. Scrappy little chromer with sea lice. A quick pic and see ya on your next spawinin' mission little fishy.

The last hole of the day is just built for us "plug monkeys" and I couldn't resist. Wall 'o Pain again with my boat on the inside (shore side) this time. I backtrolled down the shoreline and worked Parker's plug down and along a tree that was hangin' in the water. I said "Parker get ready....you're in the zone!" and not even three seconds later we had a takedown. Parker quickly crackered it off before we even got to see it. Same hole, 50 feet downstream we had hung the middle plug on some kind of snag and while we were recovering from a breakoff, Parker's rod flat buries again. I proceeded to call out my usual calm and quiet images/icons/rolleyes.gif "LEFT ROD!! LEFT ROD!! GRAAABBBITTTT!! GRRRAAAABBIT!!" and a super-chrome teener fish comes flying out of the water and spits the plug right back at us. So Parker doesn't deserve the title of "Steelhead King" anymore.....he can have it back when he quits losing fish. images/icons/rolleyes.gif

Just kidding Parker....wasn't your fault and if it continues to happen when we fish springers, then I'll put you on the oars so I can show you how it's done images/icons/rolleyes.gif , just as long as hey_yall is in front of us. I don't want any more accidents images/icons/smile.gif

Justin

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Accidents?! Hey I wasn't the guy that was in charge of tightening down that oar-right for that oar. I'm not naming any names (OSPREY), but I could have sworn it was the older gentlemen in the pink tanktop with chrome shades that had to show me how to screw something images/icons/shocked.gif He should have put more muscle (lmao) into it because the oar-right kept popping off. Equipment failure is not tolerated!!! I blame no one, but the f'n monkeys that I bought the boat from. Don't get O's started..... images/icons/rolleyes.gif Speaking of rowing prowess.....ask Osprey how my 10' lammy is doing after meeting the bridge pilings while trying to retrieve his bobber images/icons/wink.gif Still a good day to be out on the water. My shirt gives new meaning to those out there that always wanted to know what a sponge feels like from the rain. Still a good trip with a bunch of good guys (well the word "good" looks all right on paper). muh ha ha ha ha ha We'll do the rowing thing again, and no equipment failures next time, I guaran-"dam"-tee. Bring on the springers so the Zog Pro rod can back dat @ss up.

--closes out doing the spanking dat @ss dance movement-- and I make neoprene overalls look sexy. images/icons/grin.gif

[DanS]

" I believe in miracles............where'd you come from...........you SEXY thang"

Redneck, if I can't get that song out of my head in another couple days, I'm gonna have to hurt someone! images/icons/grin.gif

Believe me when I say that you DON'T want to be a steelhead camped out in a hole when the "wall of pain" comes heading your way. No wonder you guys light them up on those plugs.

Had a great time fishing with you guys. The catching could have been better, but the fishing was a ton of fun.

[SAUKit2em]

What are you doing to me, Dan??? I finally get that stupid song out of my head and now I'm singing it to myself all over again. images/icons/grin.gif

hey_yall, why don't you paint your Outcast bright orange and have a Confederate flag painted on each tube? You could airbrush "The General Lee" down each side and that would be images/icons/cool.gif

Just don't expect Os to go with you if you end up doing that images/icons/wink.gif

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Correction, I don't think O's will go with me again anyways....he has this issue with Outcasts.....I'm talking about the boat images/icons/wink.gif

Hey Justin, don't worry, the Duke Boys had to start off with a primer color before they could put the finishing touches on the their car images/icons/cool.gif If only I could find the room for this compoud bow and moonshine images/icons/rolleyes.gif

Just when I totally forgot about that song Dan: A 1 and a 2 and 1,2,3,4...IIIIIIII BELIVE IN MIRACLES.....WHERE YA FROM....YOU SEXY THANG? images/icons/tongue.gif images/icons/tongue.gif images/icons/tongue.gif

[Osprey]

I take a day off to take care of a sick Mrs. Osprey and you got me rowing an outcast....thats low images/icons/mad.gif

For those that care the Jig was the"Beady Osprey" ,this design has been great this year images/icons/grin.gif thats www.silentapproach.com (http://www.silentapproach.com)

As for you Redneck images/icons/rolleyes.gif ...point of fact...listen up...again !!!!!

Stupid equipment malfunctions on the river are unacceptable.....how many times had "we" tighten down those oar rights and "who" finally got em to hold ummm images/icons/confused.gif

soory about the lami Dude ...it was you're bobber...remember....the good thing is
.......you don't ever...ever have to worry about me riding or rowing that so called boat again.....I'd rather be a "Plug Monkey".....like Dan images/icons/tongue.gif ........Os

I BELIVE IN MIRACLES.....WHERE YA FROM....YOU SEXY THANG?.....YOU SEXY THANG YOU

[ 04-03-2001: Message edited by: Osprey ]

[DanS]

Ohhh, the humiliation. Now I'm a plug monkey.

Justin, I think Os needs to be "converted". You watch, stick him in the front of that Thor when the "wall of pain" is going, and he'll convert in about 2 minutes.

[Osprey]

After spending the Day On the General Lee images/icons/frown.gif......I could be talked into just a bout anything.....just about images/icons/rolleyes.gif

Just call me "Big Bear with a Hat aka Plug Monkey"......I thought you had to be "pro staff" to fish outa the Thor built....Os

[parker]

And to hear that everyone in Washington complains about tribal netting.

Oh sure, the gill nets get their fare share of fish, but whatever makes it through, doesn't stand a chance against a good Wall of Pain.

It's truly an awesome site to see 5 drift boats lined up on the Skykomish performing the Mega Wall of Pain!

It's just like hunting pheasants in an aspargus field. You keep pushing the birds back and back and finally, when they have no where to go, they all start flushing. In this case, once the steelies hit the last of the tailout, watch out! Fish on Rod 1, Fish on Rod 5, Fish on Rod 8!!! It's fast, furious, and very deadly.

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

So why are there so many sizes and colors for plugs then if it's that guaranteed? images/icons/rolleyes.gif

I've plugged monkeys before, ooops meant monkey plugged...ooops I have done the plug monkey thing and it's not so bad if you aren't the one rowing. images/icons/grin.gif I think it would be an awesome site to see: The Great Wall of pain.

So you're up for anything.....I'll be yer huckleberry.

[parker]

Plugging is like any other fishing tactic. You choose the correct size/color/type of plug depending on the water/fish you want to catch.

Saukit2em is the Master at plugs. I'm just the Apprentice. Even after guiding and fishing for 15 years, I'm still just learning! You're never to old to learn.

OH, and it's actually cooler to be the guy rowing. There's nothing more exciting then to actually be the guy on the oars and watch the rod get hammered. Any idiot can sit up front, but it's all about the guy behind the oars! It's very addicting to row someone in to some fish with plugs.

[ 04-03-2001: Message edited by: parker ]

[SAUKit2em]

Maybe that would be a good name for my boat..."Plug Monkey" hehehe

It was really funny when I Dan and I were talking about pulling plugs next time we fish together and he said "I won't say anything about it" meaning that he won't mind. Os, Dan is already going through the conversion process. You see, like Parker said, rowing into takedowns is addicting. You have a killer view of all three rods and the person rowing is the one who puts you into the fish. It's a nice change of pace from sidedrifting to sit down, B.S. and enjoy the scenery as takedowns usually happen during the height of conversation or while eating lunch and they seem to be especially frequent when everybody is busy watching eagles. It is not as easy as it looks, but my increasing shoulder size is a great payment for my effort as a plug monkey. Now if I could just grow 6" taller instead of sideways, then that would be even better images/icons/rolleyes.gif :

Os, don't think that just because I had to come down your way and fish all your local rivers that you aren't going to have to haul your jig floatin' butt up my way and get converted to a "plug monkey" too. images/icons/wink.gif

There are times when jigs outfish plugs and times when plugs outfish jigs. Although, the Silent Approach jigs are pretty sweet and they seem to give other methods a good run for their money. You have to be versatile and do whatever is the most productive for the given water conditions, depth, current, etc. Everybody has their method of choice, I like to driftfish more than anything, but I love watching my float get dunked and takedowns........well, I think I've stated how I feel about them images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/wink.gif

Happiness is being a plug monkey.

[DanS]

Justin,

I think Os will confirm the fact that we would BOTH be plug monkeys if we weren't so lazy. images/icons/grin.gif

How many calories do you figure it takes to cast a float/jig and then watch it float by? Shoot, I burned 10 times that many calories just WATCHING you stroke on those oars images/icons/shocked.gif

Seriously, pulling plugs is hard work. It pays dividends, but you EARN each fish. Lazy slobs like me and Os are better suited to side drifting and floating jigs. But, like I said, ANY time you feel like pulling plugs, I'll speak for a seat in that badass black Thor. I'll put you in the groove for side drifting or bobberdogging, but pulling plugs is too hard of work for me.

You'll be a monkey with us, won't you Os?
We won't ask you to row.......... images/icons/tongue.gif

[SAUKit2em]

Dan,

Right on, man, you got the right idea. Imagine a team of steelheaders that is able to effectively jig fish, driftfish, sidedrift, and plug. All great methods that deserve attention for varying conditions and water.

We'll have to get you up here in my neck of the woods for a little more jig fish here, plug fish there kind of stuff. Should be super productive. Too many people get stuck on one thing when versatility is the key to success.

I don't mind being on the oars as a "plug monkey" and Parker is getting to be a pretty good oarsman too. So, Dan, I think we should do fine if we fish similar to the way we did on the last float.

Dan, plugging isn't really all that hard of work unless your fishing the heavy stuff. The low water dictated a lot of pullin' through the faster stuff at the head of the holes on my local rivers before the March 1 closures.

Working as a team is the key. It works out great when you want to get back to the top of the hole and one of the "front seaters" rows up to the top. Kind of the same as what you did last time although we shared about the same amount of rowing time througout the day. Thanks again, Dan, as I can row like a **** but no sense in punishing myself too much images/icons/wink.gif

Get this song stuck in your head, Dan an Os. Let's go back, way back. Remember "The Monkeys"??? Suiting song for us plug monkeys, eh? It's one of my very own twisted fishing songs........

....Then I saw the take,
Now I'm a believer,
Stuck in the fish's face,
No doubt in my mind,
I pull plugs,
Ohhhhhh...Now I'm a believer...a real believer in my guide... images/icons/grin.gif

There's more to the song, but I thought I would just post the chorus as it's the most recognized part of that song. Peace

[DanS]

Yeah, Os, ANY idiot can sit in the front of the boat and............HOLD IT. Parker, you and I were the idiots most of the day, weren't we?

Well, if any idiot can do it, then this idiot............dang it, there I go again.

That's MR. plug monkey to you, Os images/icons/grin.gif

[parker]

You saw what happened when I rowed the boat - some Redneck came racing down the river and plowed in to me!

Actually, the three of us split oar time. It just so happened that Saukit2em was on the oars during the Wall of Pain.

I like being the idiot when my rod burries! Woo whoo! Fish on! Or, in my case, D'oh! Fish off!

[Osprey]

I guess I'm just jealous images/icons/shocked.gif,that Thor built sure looked cozy.
besides after having some Redneck sitting behind you all day humming tunes from Deliverance ....telling me how good I look in my waders uuuuu yukkk...so the term plug makes me nervous...so "you" can call me a PlugMonkey.. images/icons/shocked.gif ....I'll be you're HuckleBerry....Os

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

So Dan, you're saying you liked to watch all that stroking going on? images/icons/shocked.gif Good thing I wasn't riding in KOONTA-KENTAY that day.

Now O's, I only hummed one tune from Deliverance....the rest of the day was:

I believe in Miracles...where ya from...you sexy thang? images/icons/tongue.gif

Now O's why would you want to be something that you spank all the time? I wondered why the Cat pulled to the right when you rowed images/icons/wink.gif Must be all that "working out".