Well. Here is the score from mid March swing fishing the North Coast.
Five anglers fishing two consecutive days under decent (high) water conditions: One steelhead hooked and released. This averages out at one fish per ten days. My personal record to date is one steelhead lost (on the swing) for four days fishing. As a side note I lost one steelhead for two days bobber-dogging.
Here is an authentic chrome winter steelhead that took a swung fly fished by Guy Allen recently.
Still, I’ve been regaled by my Instagram feed showing chrome steelhead that have answered the call issued by other anglers while my friends and I have been struggling to find an occasional steelhead.
Oh well, so it goes.
I fished one of the new Echo OHS (one hand spey) rods, found it very pleasing, and will provide a review of these rods shortly.
RIO Tippet Ring
BTW, if you have not tried using tippet rings to add tippet to your leaders you should. I really appreciate the ease with which I can switch from one fly to another when using these gizmos.
Coastal cutthroat ready for release.
There have been a few cutthroat to grab our flies and these fish really appreciate it when we fish barbless flies.
Guy is fishing the far bank slot.
Jay is fishing close under the brush.
I’ll be out there soon enough, hoping for a grab that sticks. Wouldn’t be fun to go a full winter season without catching a steelhead – but it sure could happen!
Best to you all, and hope your fish per day average is better than I’ve experienced so far this season.
Jay Nicholas – winter season 2017
Average? nope, sounds about right for me too…That’s ok though, I’ve fished some sweet water really really well. For me, it’s been the year of the cutthroat so at least they’ve kept things interesting for me.
Cheers!
So, Boomer helps tie all the flies but doesn’t get to go?! What’s up with that?
Glad to see you at least get wet. Don’t know if we are going to have a season over here or not. It may all be beaches and the Columbia for the time being.