Does this count as a landed steelhead?

[Skunked]

Went out this afternoon to play around with my new spey rod I got as a christmas present. First two handed rod, and this would be my second time casting it. Worked on the snap-t a lot and was starting to make some workable casts, not very far but far enough, and my shoulder doesn't hurt while doing it.
Thought about changing flies but decided to stick with the one on there because I tied it. Made a sloppy cast but fished it anyway, towards the end of the swing my line stopped... I pulled back and I was hung up on a rock... then I thought I felt the rock shake slightly... then a definite pull... and a steelie cartwheeled across the surface, guess it wasn't a rock :D

The fish then went back to the bottom and after a few minutes of tug of war I had the fish in the shallows near the bank. This is where I realized it can be tricky to land a fish on a long spey rod, as I was trying to figure out how I was gonna grab the leader I pulled a little too hard and the hook came out of the fish's mouth :passout: But then I realized the fish didn't seem to know it was free and was just sitting there, I ran over to try and grab it and as I put my hands on it, it shook it's tail and swam through my finger tips and back to freedom.

Then I kicked and cursed and sat on the bank... I noticed my hands were shaking and I started laughing and realized that was pretty fun:excited:
Dinner would of been nice but I really just want to be able to say I've landed a steelhead after trying for so long, can I count that as my first steelhead?

[AndyK]

Dinner would of been nice but I really just want to be able to say I've landed a steelhead after trying for so long, can I count that as my first steelhead?
Count it!

I count a fish if I "touch it".

I have landed several steelhead and then had them flop back into the water and swim away while I readied my camera for a photo. Part of the "game"!

[Pelhament]

If you are Tred Barta then yes, but I would say no. I don't count them unless I unhooked the fish myself but who cares what I think. I bet it was a blast! First tug on the spey is always memorable, keep it up.

[genghis]

Sounds like an excellent C&R to me. That would be my story and I'd dang sure stick to it. :D


Went out this afternoon to play around with my new spey rod I got as a christmas present. First two handed rod, and this would be my second time casting it. Worked on the snap-t a lot and was starting to make some workable casts, not very far but far enough, and my shoulder doesn't hurt while doing it.
Thought about changing flies but decided to stick with the one on there because I tied it. Made a sloppy cast but fished it anyway, towards the end of the swing my line stopped... I pulled back and I was hung up on a rock... then I thought I felt the rock shake slightly... then a definite pull... and a steelie cartwheeled across the surface, guess it wasn't a rock :D

The fish then went back to the bottom and after a few minutes of tug of war I had the fish in the shallows near the bank. This is where I realized it can be tricky to land a fish on a long spey rod, as I was trying to figure out how I was gonna grab the leader I pulled a little too hard and the hook came out of the fish's mouth :passout: But then I realized the fish didn't seem to know it was free and was just sitting there, I ran over to try and grab it and as I put my hands on it, it shook it's tail and swam through my finger tips and back to freedom.

Then I kicked and cursed and sat on the bank... I noticed my hands were shaking and I started laughing and realized that was pretty fun:excited:
Dinner would of been nice but I really just want to be able to say I've landed a steelhead after trying for so long, can I count that as my first steelhead?

[Skunked]

Sounds like an excellent C&R to me. That would be my story and I'd dang sure stick to it. :D

Oh yeah that's right, I was practicing a new style of C&R that's easier on the fish:whistle:

[a12seccrx]

Hey, my first summer steelhead came while targetting bass, and didn't have a net. Fish shook loose while I was holding onto it's tail. I counted it, so you should too!

[Mad Mikey]

My rule of thumb for "counting a fish as landed" is in two parts.

If it was a hatchery fish that I could have killed, it counts.

If it was a native fish and flopped/broke off, it still counts because it would have been let go anyways.

But, if this was your first, it definitely counts, no matter.

Congrats! :)

[Wreckless]

COUNT IT!!

I believe IGFA rules are something to the effect of touching the leader. When C & R Trout fishing at Klamath Lake, if the flyline gets into the guides, it's "caught". I throw 'em some slack, they shake the barbless hook and they swim off untouched. The water can be real warm, so I try not to touch them.

:twocents:

CONGRATS!!!!:cheers:

[genghis]

COUNT IT!!

I believe IGFA rules are something to the effect of touching the leader. When C & R Trout fishing at Klamath Lake, if the flyline gets into the guides, it's "caught". I throw 'em some slack, they shake the barbless hook and they swim off untouched. The water can be real warm, so I try not to touch them.

:twocents:

CONGRATS!!!!:cheers:

Settled. :applause:

[nookslayer]

I have often done the "long line release" to protect the fish of course :D, but let's call this a "shortline shallows release". I'd count it but that's me. I dont' usually keep.

[FlieFreak]

If i did it, i would count. If a buddy did it, I don;t think i could let him count it.

[Skunked]

If i did it, i would count. If a buddy did it, I don;t think i could let him count it.

:D:D Classic

[TillamookChinook]

Count it !! And Congrats.

The spey caster practice-casting on the Metolius at dusk last summer was surprised by a bull trout, and inspired me to retrieve my rod and try a few more casts at twilight. I ended up catching my first two bull trout.

Blessed be the practice spey-casters.

TC

[Pinecone]

If i did it, i would count. If a buddy did it, I don;t think i could let him count it.

Ha! That's hilarious, and o-so-true!

In your case Skunked, I say count it! I know I would if it was me, sounds like a blast, nice work!

- Joseph

[Orange Heron]

Sounds like a counter to me.

Rich

[C-lice]

I usually adhere to the IGFA standard when counting a fish as 'landed' or just 'hooked'. But I would posit that touching the fish is at least as final as touching the leader is.

I say count it.

[JigMast]

if you touch the fish or the leader, the fish is officially landed...

[Slow and Low]

I hate to not actually land a fish. The important part is hooking then playing and getting a good look. Whether or not I get a picture is prety important to me. I would count it but that being said when I count a fish that I didn't land it is always a sore spot for me. A 20 pound summer fish that I held and dropped comes to mind. It will **** me off for some time to come...thanks Jamey:-(

[Zugbug66]

Count it. Sometimes, the most memorable fish are the one's that got away. Early last spring had a solid 16-18lb buck squirt out of my hands
while my buddy was focussing his camera. The only pic I have is in my head, but it's a good one.
wayne

p.s. I am so stoked!...rivers are dropping, and i have friday off.

[santiamflyguy]

I didn't realize we were keeping score? :meme:

Like Slow & Low, if I can get it in and get a decent look at it, that's good enough for me on most all fish. If it's a 'big' fish, I like to get a quick measure (against the rod) if possible. But last weekend, for example, I must've lost half a dozen troutskis within 6' of my hand... since the air temp and water temp were both about 35, that was fine by me!

[Pelhament]

Well after reading everyone elses responses, I guess I am too hard on myself.

[leadeyedbugger]

Pel....you suck.........You got to do the funniest part, which is hook and fight and fish, your hands were shaking afterwords and you were having a blast. I would say mission accomplished.
Michael

[Nick6547]

It doesn't count unless you could have whacked it on the head - It's all about the hunter-gatherer lifestyle ;)

[Chas]

I would have to consider that one landed, once their in the shallows and next to the bank, they are in the book. It's an easier release and better for the fish unless....it's a hatchery fish! Great job!!!!! You will find the learning curve with a spey a tad challenging especially when landing a fish with brush at your back:D.


Chas