40ishnewbie
03-26-2007, 07:52 PM
I finally got to try my new-to-me (thanks Scout) flyrod yesterday afternoon on the Nestucca. I fished along the large pullout above the campground (don't know the name, about 15 miles up). After 15 minutes I hooked my first fish and was almost disappointed to bring in a beautiful little cutthroat, almost small enough to be a steelie meal.
As the afternoon wore on, the light was disappearing fast and I thought I'd get out before it was pitch black. As I walked along the bank, I swore I saw a large flash in the shallows midstream. I stopped and stared for a few seconds and there I saw a large, fat steelhead holding his/her place in the flow. With disbelief at my luck, I tossed my line into the water and watched the fish ignore the fly as it passed right by.
Or so I thought. It made a quick turn and nailed the fly in a big splash. I kept pressure on the line as the fish headed 10ft downstream and then stopped by a large rock. The waiting game began. I kept a bit of pressure on while trying to coax the fish away from the rock and onto the gravelly shore. He wouldn't budge. All at once he turned upstream and flew right past me. As I turned my rod to follow, the line tension must have disappeared and he shook the fly free.
Adrenaline fueled heartbreak...as it is getting dark...and I'm now trying to find him again...as it getting darker...he wins, I'll be back again soon.
This would have been my 2nd steelhead, but the experience is priceless nonetheless. I love standing knee- to hip-deep in a moving body of water. It keeps the senses peaked and relaxes simultaneously. I may be new to fishing, flyfishing, and steelhead flyfishing, but I'm hooked better than that fish yesterday.
I will return to a coastal river next Saturday morning for another go. Anyone out there care the offer a few pointers to a newbie with more appreciation for the experience than skills? I'd love to be able to cast more and lose fewer flies than fish...
Jay
As the afternoon wore on, the light was disappearing fast and I thought I'd get out before it was pitch black. As I walked along the bank, I swore I saw a large flash in the shallows midstream. I stopped and stared for a few seconds and there I saw a large, fat steelhead holding his/her place in the flow. With disbelief at my luck, I tossed my line into the water and watched the fish ignore the fly as it passed right by.
Or so I thought. It made a quick turn and nailed the fly in a big splash. I kept pressure on the line as the fish headed 10ft downstream and then stopped by a large rock. The waiting game began. I kept a bit of pressure on while trying to coax the fish away from the rock and onto the gravelly shore. He wouldn't budge. All at once he turned upstream and flew right past me. As I turned my rod to follow, the line tension must have disappeared and he shook the fly free.
Adrenaline fueled heartbreak...as it is getting dark...and I'm now trying to find him again...as it getting darker...he wins, I'll be back again soon.
This would have been my 2nd steelhead, but the experience is priceless nonetheless. I love standing knee- to hip-deep in a moving body of water. It keeps the senses peaked and relaxes simultaneously. I may be new to fishing, flyfishing, and steelhead flyfishing, but I'm hooked better than that fish yesterday.
I will return to a coastal river next Saturday morning for another go. Anyone out there care the offer a few pointers to a newbie with more appreciation for the experience than skills? I'd love to be able to cast more and lose fewer flies than fish...
Jay