Call to all Homies and Steelheaders

There are few places anywhere in this world and very few in the lower 48 that have self-sustaining populations of steelhead. One of them is the Umpqua system, and despite the decline nationwide, there are still people who want to harvest them. Their thinking is that meeting native escapement goals is a credible reason why it should be permitted. It is important that we all try and preserve this native run of winter steelhead and make sure they will be around for generations to come. Please help Scott Howell, Matt Klara, Frank Moore and the rest of us steelheaders that want to keep this gem for generations to come.

Currently, the retention of native steelhead is prohibited on the Umpqua, but there are many locals that are fighting to overturn that law. Please sign the petition to support the current regulations that require the release of all native steelhead on the Umpqua system. I am proud to be 1083 on the petition.

Holy Shitballs Batman!

This is no joke fellas. Fall chinook have nothing on this bad boy. Sam Sickles a now modern day legend from Hood River, caught this fish recently on a Columbia River Gorge River. Swinging a 117 RB Meiser (5/6/7 11'7"), with a Rio Skagit 450, 7' t14, 8 pound test and a Hickman Party Boy, Sam hooked this fish parted the ........... River with his hands and walked out fifty feet into the now dry river bed and grabbed the fish before the river filled up. A divine feat in itself! This fish measured 42'x25' and a true thirty pound specimen. YOU ROCK BROTHER!

Skeena Quality Waters Strategy

The Canadian Ministry of Environment is trying to figure out how to manage their resources on the Skeena watershed. Their current plan includes limiting the amount of days spend on Skeena tributaries as well as a lottery system for those non-residents that want to fish in the Skeena Holy Waters. This means if one tributary blows out after rain, you cannot move to another in hopes of finding fishable water.

The Skeena is the Holy Grail of all steelhead waters. Please get involved and sign the petition for the current angling management plan for 2010. Click here to learn more about the British Columbia's Ministry of Environment Skeena Waters Strategy.

Rivers of a Lost Coast

Rivers of a Lost Coast


Growing up in Northern California I never really knew anything about steelhead and salmon, except from the stories I heard of what it once was. River of the Lost Coast is a documentary about a culture of fly fishermen that fished the Northern California Coast for steelhead and salmon during its heyday, and describes in their eyes the decline of the fishery and the revolutionary obsessive steelheaders of its time.

Great Lakes Pinner Style

Although not fly fishing, guys who nymph exclusively can learn a lot from Center Pinners. These boys from the Canadian Great Lakes region do it right. Check out November Rains. Bryant and the boys enjoy the sickness too and the fish porn and scenery is hard to beat.

Torture

Well here I am sitting on my ass on a boring friday night at 11:30pm. I got another eight hours in my shift and all I can think about is all of the reports that I have been getting from friends the last couple of days. I have been getting hits from friends in Canada, Idaho, Eastern Washington, North Central Oregon and the Coast. Winter steelhead are showing up here and there and Dr So and so even got one close to home. So much to choose from and yet too many more days of work ahead of me to think about it. The rivers are in shape too. WTF..................

Catch and Release Sign

I found this by a Washington River. I wish I saw them next to all of them!

November Flies of the Month

Joe Gert



















Named after Gert Canyon on the Deschutes. This classic rubber wing fly was tied as a joke by Mike Duley while he was on a multiple day float down the Deschutes. The rubber legs mimic movement and the contrast of colors can make it deadly. This fly is very effective.


Redwing Blackbird





















I first saw this fly years ago in one of Lani Waller's steelhead videos. The Redwing Blackbird is a great traditional hairwing for water that is slightly off color. The red wing over black and gold give it a bright appearance that makes it stand out when you need to get some attention.



Bulot Breiten


















A Brian Chou variation of the traditional Breiten. This is a deadly fly that works wonders on steelhead East of Bonneville Dam. It carries a slightly larger profile then traditional hairwings and the peacock sword is a great contrast with the purple body.

Guy Jacobson

Many years ago I met Guy Jacobson. As an avid fly fishermen and steelheader, we ended up fishing one of his favorite steelhead spots in Oregon. Guy and I kept in touch for a while but due to a family illness, he fell off the planet for a while. Some time past and then Guy appeared again. I got an email from him after him seeing a picture of a Clackamas River steelhead I took last month that was posted on Washington Fly Fishing. He wanted to use my picture for an art reference and I gladly accepted. Little did I know Guy was an true artist. I am very happy to know he is doing well, drawing again and of course fishing.

Check out his work other work at Riffle Mist Studio.

November Rain

I think the river came up.