July 9, 2008
Check out this!! 18 lb. 34 inch Summer Monster - Steelhead Skamania!! I caught my first two season today. It's only the third time I fished the River for Atlantics & Steelies. The first 2 times the water was 750 CFS. Today the River was at the summer flow of 185 CFS.
The first fish was an 8lb. Skamania. It chased my fly 3 times before it bit and let me tell you this fish went absolutely crazy! I landed him 300 yards down river. Today I was fishing my 4 weight fly rod and what happened next was even better.
After letting the first one go I fished that pool, a nice 3 foot deep fast water, after 8-10 casts a friend called me from the shore and as I turned to see what he wanted the 18 lb. giant (shown above) almost ripped my 4 weight fly rod from my hand. You know how it is - the one cast you don't pay attention to and the fish of a lifetime hits! Within 30 seconds the fish jumped at least 10 times and was into my backing. I was up and down the River like a maniac. After 5 minutes of violent thrashing the monster was tired. This is DEFINITELY the biggest summer steelie I have ever landed on a fly rod, yet alone a 4 weight. I snapped a half dozen photos and released him for someone else.
Usually 'm catching summer steelies and stlantics by mid June. I'm sure there have been fish around, but the water has been high, 750 CFS or more. Most people would think that is a good thing, but let me tell you, for years the summer fish in the Salmon River bite BEST in the lowest water flow. The summer minimum flow is 185 CFS - this is PERFECT. Tomorrow's trip was originally scheduled two weeks ago. Dave does at least one summer trip a year and he knows that 185 CFS is PERFECT. Last year the fishing was so good that we did 3 trips and in those 3 trips we landed 7 steelies and 2 atlantics. If we do half that good this year we'll be happy.
Other than that, lake fishing has been a little slow, but the salmon should be moving up to this end of the lake anytime now.
The trout fishing in the smaller streams has been better than normal. Last Thursday I had 2 guys and we fished 4 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon and caught 35 trout from 6-14 inches. Mostly browns with a few brookies and rainbows all on the surface. For me it doesn't get any better than catching 14 inch trout with a 3 weight fly rod on the surface.
So, that's what I've been up to. I'm anticipating a great fall salmon run due to fishing reports from the western end of the lake and also our reservoirs are extremely full so we will have plenty of water for the fall.
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Tight Lines!
Pat