Do you remember your first

GOT2FISH · 12-04-2003, 12:29 AM

I was readind a post and started to go back in my mind and I could remember every detail about my first steelie. I can still see the bobber go down and the confusion I felt woundering if it was true. Since then I vegaly recall most of the fish ,with the exception of the unuasall airobatic or the one that gives me the giuded tour of the river. So the question is do you remeber your first and does it stick out in your mind or is it just me? :smile:

SHOUGALNITE · 12-05-2003, 10:21 AM

I remember my first steelhead. I caught it in the washougal. It was my first time out for steelhead about 4 years ago. In the first hole diving bait my rod jerked down. It was about a 12# native. It was hard to through back but you have to be a man about it. Later on, I caught a 6# hen and lost a summer steelie.

fishscale · 12-05-2003, 10:41 AM

Oh, yeah. I remember my first steelhead and that was over 23 years ago. I remember the exact spot I caught it down to the slot it was laying in, what I caught it on, the rod I used, how I fortunately got tangled with the angler next to me so I wasn't able to try and horse it in. Now...if I could only remember what my wife told me 5 minutes ago.

SciGuy · 12-05-2003, 10:49 AM

Oh, sweet memory. Side drifting in front of the Raging river on the Snoqualime just up from Fall City. I think I was more surprized than the Steelhead. 10 lb hatchery.

reeldick · 12-05-2003, 10:59 AM

Oh yes...ugh, wrong first in that train of thought.
First steelhead was in April 1976 on a Meps spinner at the mouth of the Baptism River where it runs into Lake Superior. Beautiful scenery, beautiful fish, and it was cold. There was still snow on the ground and ice along the rivers edge.

greenbuttskunk · 12-05-2003, 12:40 PM

oohhhhh! ,you mean fish!! :blush:
Salmon River, upstate NY. Took it on a black stone nymph, 2 feet of snow and about 5 degrees.
Won't forget the weather or the fish.

lilnorthfork · 12-05-2003, 01:01 PM

Northfork Nehalem - 2 yrs ago. Articulated leech on an 8wt flyrod. 29" native. I was so awestruck I didn't fish the rest of the day. Just sat on a rock with a big grin for the next couple hours while my buddy fished.
lnf

Green Willie · 12-05-2003, 01:09 PM

Every steelheader remembers the first one--it's what caused the addiction. My fist steelie came back in 1966 when I was in the sixth grade. A friend at school invited me to go with them, so I did. We plunked spin-n-glos at Riverside Park on the Cowlitz River. It was in the winter and raining. I was the guest, so the first rod to go off was mine. I remember standing in the rain trying to land that fish. All the "old timers" had gathered around and were coaching me [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] . I remember one old timer taking off his gloves (I didn't have any) and laying them acoss my hands as I fought the fish. I did get it in and it was beautiful

. I remember every detail of that day (we cooked hot dogs after catching the fish). It's one of my top treasured memories.

Thanks for asking, I got to relive the day while sitting here at my computer [img]graemlins/program.gif[/img] .

JN

Steelie Steve · 12-05-2003, 01:26 PM

Vividly! East Fork Lewis River. Got two chances and the second one stuck. Beautiful little 8lb hen, chrome bright.

Thumper · 12-05-2003, 01:30 PM

1957. On the Kalama. Hot day. Lying on a blanket under the Modrow bridge with Sally. Got up and flanged my teensy little spinner into the river and got a 5-pound summer fish. I remember quite a bit about the fish.

I remember everything about Sally! [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

6wapiti6 · 12-05-2003, 01:35 PM

Ok, I've got a question. I have caught steelhead trolling in Lake Ontario, but for some reason I just don't feel like those count.Then I moved out here, and my first steelies were caught at the mouth of the Deshutes trolling plugs, again not really much skill there either. So would I have to consider my first true steelie one that was hooked drifting corkies on the Wilson? If so it was 4 years ago. People just kept telling me, you'll know the difference between the bototm and a bite..yeah right. Then when that rock felt a little strange...bang...fish on, and I knew what they were talking about.

Matt

magic-rod · 12-05-2003, 01:53 PM

10 years ago, I was 11 years old, Drifting from the bank on the Chetco below social security bar, straight orange corky, hammered it, confused and usure of what to do I just stood there as the fish tried to do a 100 yard dash that would make any sprinter jealous, and then it stopped, had help from like two people coaching me and we landed it, 15 lb buck....remember it like it was yesterday

Silver Hilton · 12-05-2003, 03:06 PM

Coming up on 40 years ago, in a small creek that has been mentioned here before. The creek was alas, closed to legal fishing, but I was about 10 years old, and we know about me and my respect for the law. I was down, doing a preseason sampler, catching smolts with a little willowleaf spinner. I was having fun, doing the catch and release thing on six inchers, when something bigger took a swipe at my spinner. It was huge, at least 9 or 10 inches!!!

Shaking slightly (I had never caught a trout longer than 8 inches), I cast back to the spot where I thought the fish had come from. I let the spinner sink a bit, and then started the retrieve. Almost instantly the spinner hung up on something. I muttered whatever imprecation passes for an 11 yr old's curse (while I was an avid little poacher, I was still kind of a goody two shoes when it came to language) because I didn't have any other spinners. So I yanked on the spinner. Nothing. I pulled again, and the rock turned over, and jumped!!!

Now, while I hadn't ever caught a steelhead, me and my friends were death on carp, and this steelhead was nothing special as far as size goes. Indeed, while my memory colors this fish the color of a new chrome bumper, the faded picture we have reveals that boot leather would be insulted to be compared to this fish. While vigorous, it was, shall we say, past it's prime. So it was duly led to the bank and dragged up onto shore. Today, of course, we would quickly let this weary soldier go.

But, being an 11 year old, and being as it was my first steelhead, as well as by far the biggest fish I had ever caught on my own, I beat the fish's head with a rock until both eyes oozed goo. Then I sat back to ponder my next move.

You see, while I acted in apparent ignorance of the law, I was in full possession of detailed knowledge of the regulations. Further, this creek is up a canyon, at the base of which was a house, in which lived the then active conservation officer. Whose house I would need to get by, with fish in hand, in order to get home.

The canyon was lined, as most half logged areas are, with backberry brambles. It took an hour for me to hack and scramble up the sides of the canyon, into the cemetary. By the time I breached the top, I looked somewhat the worse for wear. The funeral party I interrupted must have thought rain was coming - they seemed to leave in a bit of a hurry, without offering me a ride. The sprayed gravel hurt a bit, but I figure there were just sad and hadn't seen me in their grief.

Now, I was clear of the gamie's house, but I still had to make it 300 yards through the neighborhood. How to do it? With fish held high, of course. It took me no more than 900 yards and 45 minutes to make it home. I had to go by a couple houses twice, to make sure they saw the fish. But in true fisherman's style, I didn't have to knock on any doors, or yell, to get anyone's attention. But I do recall a mysterious cough that came over me a couple of times...

Finally I got home, and showed my prize to my parents. My dad was looking a little green when I mentioned having it for dinner, but I figured it was just his new pipe tobacco. Mom cooked it up in about an inch and half of cheese sauce, and I remember it being fabulous.

So, no, I don't remember it a bit.

BTW, I have become scrupulous in my adherence to game laws in the intervening years, so please just read this for the feeble attempt at humor that it is, and not as advice or counsel to break game laws.

[ 12-05-2003, 05:34 PM: Message edited by: Silver Hilton ]

hawgcatcher · 12-05-2003, 03:14 PM

A long time ago when I was a teenager (over40 years) and I was fishing at the falls in Oregon City. You used to be able to walk through the mill to Black Point. I was casting a homemade spinner, trying to catch a spring salmon. I solid hit, a beautiful fight and finally I landed a 13# steelie. It was a Molalla Fish as it had a beautiful red stripe down the side and a tinge of blue-green. The man that netted it for me, told me to throw it away as Steelhead were "scrap" fish and not much good. Well I didn't and I have been looking for them ever since. Even at this age, My heart skips when one hits and the battle is on.

Thumper · 12-05-2003, 04:19 PM

SH and Hawgcatcher --- great stories!

BigJim · 12-05-2003, 04:43 PM

I remember my first. My brother and I put in at Deadwood on lake creek. We fished all the way to the gravel pile hole just above the horn. This was my first steelhead trip an I was home on leave from the navy. We hadn't touched a fish all day. When we got to the takeout we loaded up the boat and parked out of the way. Dan said "lets fish it from the bank for awhile there's got to be fish in here". Dan proceeded to fish the gravel pile hole so I started walking to the rapids that lie below. Where are you going he asked. Where there's room to fish I replied. You'll never catch any thing down there the water is too fast. Well he was right the water was to fast. I couldn't hardly keep the sunrise peach color oakey on the bottom for twenty feet before it would appear on top of the water. But the fish gods were smiling that day. After about a dozen casts a mint bright nine pound buck took the oakey and the fight was on. Hooking my first steelie in fast water was one thing. Landing it was another. Brother Dan coached me all the way and the rest is history. It's a great memory to recall. One of the best of my life. Good luck to all this winter and be safe.

Mad Mikey · 12-05-2003, 04:50 PM

Fishscale--->>>Now...if I could only remember what my wife told me 5 minutes ago.<<<<

For me, Hood River at Dee in August of, oh jeez, eighty sumpin'. I was at a family "re-union" in Parkdale which is just a cover for "BIG drinking bash with cousins I've never met before..."
A couple of my uncles and I actually made it up early AM despite being very hung over. We stumbled past the ladies who were STILL partying at 5AM and headed to the river.
It took me a little while to get my equilibrium back but got the hang of the drifting eggs thing pretty quickly. With my Six foot Ugly Stick, Mitchell 300 and a wad of eggs that would choke a mule I finally hooked a nice Summer run behind a boulder.
I had no clue what was happening until the fish jumped.
It kicked me around pretty good but we got it in. My uncle Bill GAFFED the beast!!!! Never seen that done before, wow, old school I guess.
Yup, first fish, now look what has happened to me.........

SteelieSteve · 12-05-2003, 07:25 PM

Hawg i've seen a few of those in the late 70's and early 80's. My first fish was a Mollala fish caught up above Mollala. a spawner. To date I never did catch a good one though I've eaten a few that were caught by relatives. All nates now so no keeping them.

MarlinMark · 12-05-2003, 08:49 PM

A few years back a buddy and I drove down to our home town of Grants Pass with hopes of floating the mighty Rogue River for winter steelhead. It rained all night and when we awoke to my Dad cooking sausage and eggs,we had a big decision to make. Should we stay around GP and make day trips or continue with the plan and go down the Wild and Scenic....???? My buddy,whom I willefer to as Diamond Dave from here on out, asked me if we came down there to fool around or go into the wild and catch some fish. He had yet to catch an adult steelhead so I felt compelled to go with that a$$ kicking mojo.

When we launched at Graves Cr. it was barely raining and (of course) we had the whole river to ourselves. We said later to my Pops and all the usual comments like, "keep the flat side down" etc. Diamond Dave cracked a not so small bottle of vitamin J and we were off (note to all of you out there that are starting to have a little panic attack....no we didn't get drunk and crash, chill out!)

It turned out to be a great day. I told my buddy to "thow that gob of eggs over the side and hang on" just below the Whiskey Cr. cabin and "FISH ON!! We caught several adult steelies and many, many half pounders. It was a blast.

Diamond Dave wants to go back this year for a "reunion" trip. I told him OK if he rows his boat and I get to stand in the front and fish (not to mention look stupid.)

Wish us luck. Email if your interested in a fun trip and don't mind a little fun.

WWZGD = what would Zane Grey do?

Marlin Mark

:grin:

fishnpray · 12-05-2003, 08:55 PM

Hmmm...This one time, in band camp...NO. I remember that my spinner stopped and then started again, but I wasn't making it do all the moving only a #7er, but she was gorgeous. (NFrk.)

-Luis

Swim Shady · 12-05-2003, 11:04 PM

Crystal Clear, but it has only been a few years back. Every time I float or motor into the hole, my gut fills with anticipation (more so than any other hole) because that is where it all started. Like the preverbal "love at first site", when I latched into my first steelhead, I'm not sure who was hooked more. The fish or me! :smile:

Chromaflage · 12-05-2003, 11:12 PM

My first URB - When I was a Junior in HS my dad took me out with Jack Glass (Jack used to work for my dad) right after Jack started guiding. We met at his house, fished the sandy for awhile, then high-tailed it down river to the CR. This was my first experience in a jet sled. Oh - my - goodness! He got that sled up on step and I could see cobble just below the surface of the water (well, about 6" below) - where's that brown real tree underwear when you need it?

We got out into the CR, anchored up and about 10 minutes later - bonk, bonk, bonk. I picked up a 12# URB - my first and the only fish in the boat that trip.

ORS

El-Kabong · 12-05-2003, 11:19 PM

my first is permentally etched into my mind. On the Sandy, had a take down on early in the day, but then nothing. moved up stream but no luck, then on the hike back out decided to hit that first slot one more time. 3rd cast bober down! fish was only about 8' off shore so I got to see this flash of steel before the bobber went under. 9lb buck.

EK

[ 12-05-2003, 12:20 PM: Message edited by: El-Kabong ]

rola76 · 12-05-2003, 11:34 PM

I definitely remember that day...it was a day of 6 fish!!

SteelieSlammer · 12-05-2003, 11:35 PM

My first was probably 20 years ago. I was fishing with my grandpa and uncle on the Hoh River on the washington Olympic coast. My grandpa was a spin and Glo plunker so that work well with my attention span. I thought it was the biggest fish ever but looking back at it, it was really only 6 to 8 lbs. Been hooked ever since.

SeaJayOR · 12-05-2003, 11:43 PM

After years of no steelhead, I caught not 1, but 2 at the mouth of 3 rivers. It was in January with the Lamiglass my dad bought me for
Christmas. After I caught my first steelhead at 10am, I pounded the same spot until I caught my 2nd steelie at 2pm. I had to visit my dad on my way home and tell him the rod was defective. It had this problem with the tip shaking and all

Leatherneck · 12-06-2003, 12:36 AM

I learned to steelhead fish the hard way. My uncle loved to fish the Hood river in the winter. This is a very cold place in Jan/Feb. His favorite spot was off this road called Iowa Rd below the punch bowl. We would leave Gresham at midnight and sleep in his 78 camaro. He loved to get the hole first. He hooked and landed steelhead after steelhead in this hole. This was back in the late seventies. You can't fish up there anymore from what I hear. Somedays he would go to the dam and fish the pipeline. This is where I got my first steelhead. I was standing at the deadline tossing a red corkie with a sandshrimp tail. Landing my first steelhead was better than my first *** dream. The addiction to steelhead fishing started that day back in 1979.

Pete · 12-06-2003, 08:11 AM

Ah yes ... it was on the Toutle in 1974, in the Hollywood gorge, standing on that big rock right in the middle of the back eddy. It was snowing hard. I cast across to the wall and my corkie and yarn tightened up, my Fenwick took a serious bend and my Abu 5000 needed a quick turn on the star drag. The fish held against the strong current, lept clear twice, then came up among the rocks where she came to net. I miss that river.

FishinMission · 12-06-2003, 08:14 AM

Wow..Thumper...I was two years old when you got your first steelie!!

Don't remember the year I got mine...but I think dinosaurs were still roaming the earth...

Bobber/ eggs at Cazadero...watched the fish come staight up from the bottom to grab my eggs, but he took off without taking them...then returned about a minute later...then I'm not sure which one of us got hooked after that...

First winter steelie "drift" fishing was on the Clack just above the 205 bridge in early December. Have to add that after a short but intense Chum season I learned what the "take" felt like, and hooked many many winter fish in that area that winter. :grin:

First fish from my fist driftboat was a spring fish I aught in the Big Bend running snadshrimp behind a planer.

Mark

FishinMission · 12-06-2003, 08:16 AM

Wow..Thumper...I was two years old when you got your first steelie!!

Don't remember the year I got my first...but I think dinosaurs were still roaming the earth...

Bobber/ eggs at Cazadero...Summer steelie..watched the fish come staight up from the bottom to grab my eggs, but he took off without taking them...then returned about a minute later...then I'm not sure which one of us got hooked after that...Small fish...about 5 pounds..but hey..it was the first.

First winter steelie "drift" fishing was on the Clack just above the 205 bridge in early December. Have to add that after a short but intense Chum season I learned what the "take" felt like, and hooked many many winter fish in that area that winter. :grin:

First steelie from my fist driftboat was a spring fish I caught in the Big Bend on the Sandy, running sandshrimp behind a planer.

Mark

[ 12-06-2003, 09:18 AM: Message edited by: FishinMission ]

Radke · 12-06-2003, 10:39 AM

I gathered with 250 of my closest friends at the pipeline hole, day before christmas 1973. I hooked and lost a beauty, sat down dejectedly, then hooked a second, 12.5 pounds. I remember a old timer helping me land the beast. He asked if it was my first fish, he probably didn't need to, it was written all over my face.