Almost, Andy, Almost

[PTS]

Andy said his 37 1/2 inch steelhead would be tough to beat and it was. The Challenge is over for me and the best I could do was the 37 inch steelhead posted for me on the Challenge Thread by my son, rimrock. I put a tease on another thread that I might shock Andy but I doubt if he was worried.:) Although there is one day left, I will congratulate Andy now as this years winner. He caught a great fish and had an excellent season.:bowdown:

Of course, a couple of other ifishers that I have fished with still have a day to go, and they have caught some nice fish already. I look forward to next Winter. I am thinking Deschutes redsides and central Oregon lakes in the very near future.

[Slow and Low]

Phil,

I also concede. Time to switch gears. You will find me on the deschutes until late October.

Andy, Congrats. I couldn't seem to get a big fish this year. I did catch a lot of stelhead this year and the majority were to a swung fly at long range. Can't wait for summer and fall fish.

Tight lines.

[cphatts]

That was one heck of a fish Phil....what a great way to cap off the season! I put away the 8 weight several weeks ago and have been hitting the Deschutes quite a bit. As of Saturday 4/14, the March Browns and BWOs were still very active so dust of that 5 weight and get ready for some surface action!

[AndyK]

Last day...

PTS, was that a native or hatchery? Can’t tell from the photo whether it has an adipose fin. Nice fish either way! Last year the largest winter steelhead was 34 ½ inches. We had several entries this year that were longer.

I need to put together a package and check with Jennie and the moderators about a summer competition. Probably start 1 May.

[clacksteel]

I am thinking Deschutes redsides and central Oregon lakes in the very near future.

I've been checking out those spots for you and there are a lot of hungry trout waiting!

Congrats on the big steelie by the way!

And congrats to Andy on the biggest winter of the season!

[Meskel]

Good job guys! I almost came close to last years winning fish (in size) but no where close to the hogs you all posted this year.
I can’t complain since I am a trout guy and the only reason I fish for winters is, well because I still need to fish. I was able to land a bakers dozen this winter (only keeping two) and to tell you the truth I might actually look forward to next years winter run. Don’t tell anyone please.
I guess ending off the year landing a winter on 1x line and a small parachute Adams almost made it feel like trout fishing with an 8wt.

Again well done everyone – now it is time to join the hoards on the D until the end of May when the river opens and I spend the summer in sandals, 3wt and nothing but drys.

Meskel

[john montana]

i'm waiting for the first annual ifish carp challenge...i might have a shot at that one...i have no chance at the steelhead challenge!

great fish all you guys...i loved the pictures.