Upper Columbia Trout Fishery Vs. Non-Native Walleye

Upper Columbia Rainbow Trout Photo: Jack Mitchell

I admit, I have never fished the Upper Columbia for trout, but when a buddy points out some interesting points about impacts from non-native species on what I have been told is one of the best trout fisheries in the state, I had to read more. On December 15th, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will no longer be taking recommendations for rule changes for the daily bag limit for walleye in the Lake Roosevelt and the Spokane Arm of Lake Roosevelt. As a rule change that can effect the population of native species in this area, I think it is wise to chime in for the benefit of our native fish.

According to those who know this fishery, the population of introduced walleye have moved from foraging, peamouth chubs, whitefish, pikeminnow to rainbow trout. Though I enjoy fishing for warmwater species, the impacts on our native salmonids have always brought an interest in regards to their impact on the ecosystem. Without predation on this new invader, the ecosystem itself changes and with that impacts all species in that food chain. Though I do not believe there are enough studies to defend this debate either way, I wrote a letter to WDFW in support of liberalizing the bag limit of walleye to unlimited harvest. These are non native fish and time wasted not helping our native fish may lead to an obvious negative impact for this fishery in the future.

Please take a few minutes and voice your opinion to WDFW, and read move courtesy of the Upper Columbia Flyfisher.

Casting for Recovery Auction

This week marks the start of Casting for Recovery's annual holiday auction, with proceeds earmarked for its quality of life retreat program for breast cancer survivors across the United States. Auction items range from vacation destinations and guided trips to rods, reels... and special to this year's mix: the "final conflaguration" of the Drake Classic Atlantic Salmon Fly Swap.

Here's the story, via the Magnificent Seven: 

A little over a year ago, a couple members of The Drake Forum who tied classic Atlantic Salmon flies decided to swap a few patterns. The group grew to 8 and it was determined that each tier would designate a special pattern to be professionally mounted and framed in a display to be auctioned to benefit a worthy cause. All flies are tied with authentic materials. As the wife of one of the participants had just lost a battle with cancer, Casting for Recovery was chosen as the beneficiary of the donated display. 

Two other forum members, Bob White and Richard Harrington, both nationally known artists, became aware of the project and most generously offered to create original paintings to be a part of the display. A very generous Drake Forum member covered the cost to custom-mount and frame the flies and artwork. The finished product is approximately 24" x 20". 

Robert Meiser, who builds beautiful custom salmon and steelhead rods, will custom-build a Highlander Classic S2H13068C-4 to be included with the framed piece. This rod is 13' 6" and designed to throw a line weight in the 6-7-8 window. The winner bidder can arrange design specifics with Bob prior to the rod being built. This is truly a unique opportunity to own a singular display of classic salmon flies, two original works of art, and a spey rod built by a true master. 

To commission the artwork, purchase the individual flies, frame and mount the piece, and purchase the custom rod, were it even possible to recreate the project, would cost in excess of $6,000.

The auction ends on Dec. 5. Let the bidding begin!


As a son to a mother, who fought courageously, battling breast cancer, I am proud to post this. Casting for Recovery is a great cause, using nature and fly fishing as a way of healing for those who battle both the physical and mental struggle of breast cancer.

Auction

A Deliberate Life

"A Deliberate Life" (Trailer) - Official Selection, IF4 2013 from IF4 on Vimeo.

A Deliberate Life

There comes a time in all of our lives when we let ourselves dream about living life on our own terms. When we wrestle with the decision to take a step into traffic, follow our passions and live deliberately - or simply let another day, and daydream, pass.

In the end, it doesn’t matter if we make the decision of our own accord, or life makes it for us. It’s where our heart and soul are that matter. For some, the result is a closer alignment between vocation and avocation, for some it’s a reprioritization of what’s important in life, for some it’s the very real difference between life and death.

Set primarily against the diverse, rugged and breathtaking landscape of Idaho and Oregon, A Deliberate Life explores the stories of five unlikely friends who share the same love of fly fishing and the outdoors and their choice to lead a life according to their passions.

Silo4

The Code

Fall Swing Photo: Brian Chou

Yes, there is a Code of Steelheading. An ethos, if you will that those who fish everyday or way too often carry among friends. It's different to each person but those within a group understand it and stick to it, otherwise they may find themselves in radio silence or just plain left out. Its not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but in a fishing circle getting left out leads to missed opportunities that do not come along often, especially when you have a busy family and work schedule.  

With this new era of fishing and the internet, it is easy to get reports, help or hear rumors about what is going on throughout the Pacific Northwest. And like any real steelheader worth their chrome, we are all willing to make sacrifices to chase that hope of a fish on some fabled or less fabled water somewhere within driving distance of our homes on any given day. The fact of the matter is there are few secrets left out there and the ones that are, you can find if you are able to read between the lines. So those that are spot burners, you have to understand you are ruining it in the long run and you best learn to keep it zipped or your gonna get ripped  the next time it comes around. Also in all reality when you chase those rumors, you chasing last weeks sweat and hustle and just because shit happens once doesn't mean its gonna happen again. 

To break it down simple, each person is different, but those who you trust and know whats up keep that intel wrapped up tight. When one of your boys hands it to you or brings you to the spot, you keep it that way. That is just how to keep it real. Calling bullshit cause you brought one of the boys to one of your spots and finding him there with some of his friends there a day later is not exactly part of the code, but it happens and when the whistle is blown on you... well, don't expect pleasantries. This seems as if it would be common sense, but as it has been said, "common sense is not common to everyone". 

There are of course bylaws to add to the Code from time to time as well. When you figure something out and its known by a few, its not necessarily means you can take your friends there. That is a community decision made among your peers who worked the beatdown. This by no means is some kind of secret society and like mentioned before there are few real secrets left out there, but you always have to keep in mind that you never want to ruin a good thing nor piss of your homies. 

There is also a grey area of well known spots that lead to reports given without hesitation, primarily due to the obvious and aiding in a less experienced friends learning curve. Educating friends, helping them learn about their quarry, casting, presentation, etc are just as important facets of the Code, but not everything is given without reciprocation.  Respect of the resource, educating others and your peers views of secrecy are vital and mandatory in maintaining the code. In the end we all learn from each other. 

Why We Hate Hatch Tards.

I was looking through pictures today and could not help but think this shit right here is why we hate hatch dogs. Perfect specimen.  Love them and leavem boys and don't give them to some hatchery to rape them either. Oh and kill every hatchery fish you can.

The Magnificent Steelhead

Burke Museum, Wild Steelhead Coalition partner to raise awareness of “The Magnificent Steelhead”

 Museum exhibit, reception and art sale support wild steelhead in the Pacific Northwest.

SEATTLE – Anglers know it as the “fish of a thousand casts." Washingtonians know it as their state fish, symbolizing the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. And through November 15^th, the steelhead will be celebrated in an exhibit at the University of Washington’s Burke Museum to raise awareness and support for this iconic, and threatened, fish.

Titled “The Magnificent Steelhead,” the display will culminate with a reception and art sale on November 8, with all proceeds benefiting the Wild Steelhead Coalition, an organization dedicated to increasing the return of wild steelhead to the rivers and streams of the Pacific Northwest.

Works in the Burke exhibit include photographs printed on canvas, as well as mixed media pieces from individuals in the angling community, including Andy Anderson, Jeff Bright, Keith Douglas, Brian Huskey, Brian O’Keefe, Jonathan Marquardt, Dave McCoy, Ken Moorish, Tim Pask, Steve Perih, Mike Savlen, and Bob White.

Visitors can also learn more about steelhead, as well as conservation efforts being taken by the Wild Steelhead Coalition to support the species through hatchery reform, scientific research and policy changes on behalf of wild fish.

The event runs from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and includes hors d’oeuvres from the Steelhead Diner and beverages from Precept Wine.

Burke Museum Exhibit Reception & Sale: A Benefit for the Wild Steelhead Coalition

November 8, 2012 | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. | Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture

On the UW Campus - 17th Ave NE & NE 45th St

Burke Museum Exhibit

Searching for Gierach

So I found myself on the River Styx the other afternoon.  Not a river I hate because its ugly, or because there are no fish, but more so because over the last decade this river has baffled me and kept me on my toes to the point I have been pulling my grey hairs out with vigor. Now do not get me wrong, this river is awesome, home to steelhead, salmon and a few trout, not to mention a great place to skate a fly. I have just had a love hate relationship with it for a longtime. 

Now I got to the river at high noon and as we well know, your odds are not the best when the sun is right on you. It didn't really matter to me though since I finally got some me time, much needed these days and found a run all to myself. So after working down this run, I found a seam line in some fast water I had never spent a lot of time working. The seam was on the other side of the river and I figured out how to keep my fly in the zone.

After making several casts into it, all of a sudden two guys stepped through the bushes and started to chat about the salmon fishing. They saw me fishing from the road and wondered what guys fly fished for there. It was pretty funny and on the next cast I turned to say something when I finally got that grab. The loop was taken from me and I set the hook. It took off then did what I hate, ran upstream. Between stripping in line and doing that damn Statue of Liberty thing I hate seeing trout guys do, I finally got the line tight before she screamed downstream again. After walking down the run and making sure she did not break me off on rock grindage, I put her on the bank.

Not bad for a Friday afternoon, but the day got better. That evening I was invited to spend the evening and have dinner at a friend’s establishment. That evening I was able to spend some time with John Gierach, you know the original Trout Bum. John and friend Vince Zounek was spending some time in the Pacific Northwest visiting friends and playing with steelhead. It just so happens that John also caught his first steelhead on the Styx that day.  

Later that evening we shared stories like fishermen do about fish, home waters, species and gear. John is a very down to earth guy and glad I finally got to meet the guy whose stories I have read over the years. The next day we planned to meet on the river.

The next morning I woke at a reasonable hour and drove downstream. Without seeing them all morning, driving up and down the river and getting side tracked by beautiful runs I had to swing, I noticed the time. I had to make an appointment and on the way down the river the last time found them. John and Vince were working through a run and experimenting with new equipment.  We chatted a bit more and I am still laughing that on the day we both caught fish on the river, mine came on a MOAL and his came on a traditional featherwing called an Akyroyd. He said it was a generational difference and I got to admit, he is right. Then again I would fish one if I could tie one. 

It was neat to talk to John and Vince. Vince is one of the characters John writes about on their fishing adventure. The best part about it was seeing that these two longtime fishing buddies were not unlike my friends and I. It brings so much more to the adventures he shares with us in his writing. These adventures are not unlike our own and his articulate writing style, humor and knowledge brings what the true meaning of why we fly fish back to us when we cannot break free on our own adventures.  Searching for Gierach was a well spent day on the river.