Winter Run Steelhead Fly Fishing Challenge – 2009/2010

[AndyK]

It's time for the Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing Challenge.

Let me know if you want to participate.

I will start a thread for entries when entrants start catching fish!

Winter Rules

Winter Entrants

There have been a couple changes in the rules this year, especially concerning the monthly prizes.

Winter Run Steelhead Fly Fishing Challenge – 2009/10


This is an Ifish Sponsored event.

Competition Organizer, judge and prize contributor is AndyK

Contest will run from 16 November 2009 to 15 April 2010.

There are two categories for the contest and two prizes:

1. Largest fly caught Winter Run Steelhead posted on Ifish from the Columbia River and all Columbia River tributaries in Oregon and Washington west of the Hood River bridge (open to steelhead fishing) and from Coastal rivers and streams in Oregon; fish must be caught no earlier then 16 November 2009 or later then 15 April 2010. Prize is a fly line in weight and type selected by the winner.

2. Largest dry fly caught Winter Run Steelhead posted on Ifish caught in the waters open in this competition and during the period in category 1; minimum length is 22 inches. Prize is a Wheatley fly box, either a model 1432 or a model 1442.

There will also be a monthly prize for a winter steelhead posted to the competition thread each month. Periods are 16 Nov to 31 Dec; Jan; Feb; and March 1 to 15 April. The winner will be selected by a drawing; monthly prize is usually a gift certificate to a local fly shop.

Organizer is eligible to win under categories 1 & 2, but not the monthly competition.

Steelhead must be a winter run fish. No steelhead will be accepted if caught in a “land locked” lake or reservoir.

Fly-fishing consists of two elements: fly casting and the use of a fly. Absence of one of these elements is not fly-fishing. Fly fishing rules are the same as IGFA fly fishing rules with following clarifications and additions:

Any legal fly-fishing method using standard fly fishing rod, line and reel is acceptable except trolling/back trolling.

Spey rods are acceptable.

Use of additional weight on fly leader (i.e. split shot) and indicators is allowed, as long as fisherman is still fly-casting (i.e. the weight of the line must carry the fly rather than the weight of the fly, split shot and/or indicator carrying the line).

Fly must meet the legal definition of a fly in Oregon and Washington. Articulated and tube flies are acceptable.

Two flies (maximum) may be used. That is a main fly and a trailer or dropper (IGFA rules prohibit use of a dropper fly).

Scent and/or scented fly tying materials are not allowed.

Rubber flies or eggs are not allowed. Flies tied with fly tying foam are acceptable.

A jig is not a fly. If the “fly” is tied on a jig hook, it is a jig, not a fly.

Steelhead must be hooked in the mouth (Washington regulations allow hooking a fish anywhere on the head forward of the gills, which is not acceptable in this competition).

All entries must have a photo posted on the Ifish Fly Fishing board within three days of being caught. Exceptions will be made with concurrence of sponsors due to unusual circumstances. Photo will be taken on the river/stream where the fish was caught with the fly gear (rod and reel) used displayed in the photo.

Native steelhead will not completely removed from the water.

Prizes will awarded for the largest fly caught Winter Run Steelhead posted on Ifish and for the largest Dry fly caught Winter Run Steelhead posted on Ifish. It is possible for one fly fisherman to receive more then one prize.

Dry fly entries are for steelhead where the fly fishermen specifically targeted steelhead with that method. In other words an incidental hookup when using swinging a wet fly that developed too much drag in a fast current subsequently skated across the surface will not count! Either a drag free presentation or skating a fly is acceptable.

Largest steelhead will be determined by length, not weight (since native fish are not to be removed from the water). Length is from the end of the nose to the center of the tail. Measurements will be to the ¼ inch and shall be rounded down.

In the event of a tie, the first entry will be the winner.

Entrants must announce their participation no later then 15 December 2009 by either posting a reply or sending a PM to AndyK. There is no entry fee!

Entries do not need to disclose the location where the steelhead was caught in the post. However, the sponsors must be advised of the location to determine the qualification of the entry. Locations will not be disclosed on the board except for the winning entries when announced.

Entrants will be disqualified from further participation in the contest for the following reasons:

1. Illegal conduct.

2. Unsportsmanlike conduct.

3. Removing a native steelhead entirely from the water.

[rockaway]

I'm in!!

Thanks for the opportunity.

Greg

[etacada]

in!

cb

[Newbs]

I am there... I mean here... I'm in. I wanna play.

[konakid]

I are in!

[SilverFly]

Need to get busy on a number of projects, - but should have some time to chase winters.

In.

[PTS]

in again

[XQB]

In

[hooksetter1]

in

[358norma]

In it.

[KillerDave]

In.

[sherretb]

In

[Slow and Low]

in

[richleblanc48]

In

[sothereiwas]

sign me up

[seamslayer]

In

[Nick6547]

in

[East Fork]

Why not.

[C-lice]

In.

[Milt]

in

[neuronick]

In. Thank you.

[JRV]

in

[tnetz]

In

[Kevin2023]

I'll give it a try

[fishnfun]

in

[EugeneFisher]

Count me in

[Paman]

Ok, I'll give it a try

[Skunked]

In

[Dan360]

In!

[gustav]

I,m in; thanks.

[Mike Marcus]

I'm in as well. I better bring my camera with me from now on.

Thanks for putting this on, AndyK

[steelymann]

IN!

[Trout]

In

[Black Pearl]

Sounds good to me. In a semi related subject, I am currently involved in The Quest, an idea I dreamed up after reading Into Thin Air. Elite mountain climbers try to scale the highest peak on each continent, the seven summits. I am scared of heights, but love to fish, so I wanted to think of a difficult but not overly hazardous[except to personal relationships] challenge of my own. The quest involves catching a steelhead on a fly in twelve consecutive months in oregon. The ultimate would be on a swung fly. In 2008 I got january and february, but despite much effort skunked out in march. This year I have august through november, so only eight to go. If I was retired I think this might be easy but with a job and family it seems pretty tough. I only had one day I could get out this month and luckily had success. In any case I will be on the water a lot this winter and would love to participate. I wonder what people think of the quest. Has anyone done this? Is this a great idea or should I seek counseling. Thanks for sponsoring the challenge, and sorry about the digression.

[steel_beaver]

Oh yeah! i'm in too

[Ryan Pultz]

I am in!

[T I M]

I'll bite

[jdougher]

In

[RazorClam]

in

[UTFA]

OK.....I'm in!


Tight Lines to all!

[wintermykiss]

I'm in.

[Zugbug66]

in

[rosstucker32]

in

[Jay Fish]

In Thanks

[OSUsmokey]

Im in!

[stlhd]

In

[Gizmo Man]

in

[Steelie Mike]

In

[RPerk]

I'm In. Thanks

[bigthackara]

Im in for sho

[Surfnsully]

I am in thanks for the opportunity to catch my first winter steel.

[MarlinMark]

I'm in too. Why not?

[Jad Donaldson]

If guides are allowed?
Then I'm in too.

Jad

[AndyK]

Originally Posted by Jad Donaldson

If guides are allowed?
Then I'm in too.

Jad

Guides are allowed, but only if they catch their own fish!

[Metalfisher]

My first! I`m in.

[KillerDave]

Time to get the ball rolling!

A 30" native winter run from the Sandy that took a pink "Guide Intruder" about 9am this morning.

[SandySlayer]

I'm so in!!!

[etacada]

Nice fish Dave!

way to go.

cb

[Sandstrom 22]

i am in

[LunkerFish]

I'm in even though I never win these because either 1) I don't catch a single freakin' fish all winter, or 2) I do hook up and never bring my camera. But, I love that Andy sponsors these and I'm in it to support that.