Fisrt steelhead on a fly!

[Merch]

In the early nineties I spent two or three days a week steelheading on the Snake and Grande Ronde while attending WSU. Needless to say I probably learned more about the river than my courses.

Back then my friend and I were mostly pitching spoons and spinners. We hadn't figured out steel head on a fly yet, we had spent a lot of time fly fishing for trout just not steelhead. We did get pretty good usually catching fish and had many multiple fish days. I haven't been back since then but, my friend has been going back almost every year and has figured out the fly angle.

Friday was the first day I had been back there since 92.

We fished all day swinging flys starting on the Snake where my friend caught a small jack. Next we moved to the Ronde but the water was around 42 degrees and we didn't feel like going with sink tips and nymphs so we moved back to the Snake which was considerably warmer at 52-53 degrees.

At the end of the day we still had not had any strikes since the small jack caught on the first run. We decided to fish the first run again. Three quarters of the way down the run...POW. A beautiful buck slammed my fly. The battle was on! After about ten minutes my friend tailed about a 15lb wild steelhead. I had done it, landed my first steelhead on a fly. My friend told me that my life, no actually, my wife's life, would be ruined from here on out. I think he is right.

Unfortunately, while trying to get out of the house early we forgot our camera, not a big surprise for us. We figured if we had remembered the camera we would never have caught the fish.

I have caught plenty of large salmon on mooch gear but this was ELECTRIC and I can't wait for the feeling again!

Merch

[too high]

That is awesome. Great job. I am still waiting to catch any fish on a fly.

[steel_beaver]

Originally Posted by Merch

My friend told me that my life, no actually, my wife's life, would be ruined from here on out. I think he is right.

You mean he didn't warn you before hand? I think you need to find better friends man.

Good Job Dude!

S_B

[Wiggley1]

what sized rod were you using?

[Siwash]

Originally Posted by Merch

Unfortunately, while trying to get out of the house early we forgot our camera, not a big surprise for us. We figured if we had remembered the camera we would never have caught the fish.

Well there ya go... Same thing happened to me and my bro when I visited him for an epic Clearwater trip while he was going to skool @ UI.

Congrats on the fish, sounds like a brute. Wonder if it was headed for the Salmon? Way bigger than anything i've ever seen on the 'Ronde.

[Merch]

Wiggley1, I was using an 8wt GLoomis GL3.

Siwash, it may have been and it is larger than anything I can remember catching years ago. In fact, my friend said it was the second largest fish he has seen caught and larger than anything he as caught on a fly, Ha ha ha that felt good.

Steel_beaver, you're telling me. We were in totally dutch with the wives when we got back. We left them at 5:30 with a 5yr old a 3yr old a 9month old and twins that are 5 months. Oh yeah, the 5yr old got the flu and was puking and the 3yr old had a cold. It was a great day but a cold night. Maybe not our best judgement.

Merch