Grand Ronde

I took what I had heard about the Grand Ronde with a grain of salt. All the stories of huge numbers of fish caught and the massive crowds that go along with such great fishing. Under the right conditions the fishing was great but the weather was not at all cooperating. Of the 6 days I spent there only two came with great success. The other four put my skills to the test. The fact that you actually had to work to catch steelhead here was a welcoming surprise, it would have become boring other wise.

Newbies

I finally got the chance to pass what I have learned over the years onto the next generation. Granted he's got a couple of years on me but its never to late to pick up fly fishing. There has been lots of talk about equipment, flies, techniques, and hours in the yard with the Echo micro practice rod. Last weekend we got a chance to go put what we have been working on into practice. He is one hell of a student. I guess that practice rod really works, he's been using it every evening and it really showed. I couldn't believe the success we had. I think I ruined him, he caught way to many fish for his first day on the water.

A little more on the water instruction and he's on his own

I think that was all that was needed, many doubles were had

Its great to share what you know its quite rewarding

Taking a break from steelhead

Sometimes taking a break from steelhead is just the ticket. I often find myself bypassing other opportunities to feed my addiction. So when a buddy called and said he had a friday off and that we should go fishing we decided to do something that we had been talking about but have not gotten around to. We had been taking about hiking into a few lakes on Mt Hood for the last 4 years. Needless to say we had all the details planned out a long time ago and picking a day was all that was needed. So off we went.

View of Mt Hood from 4500ft

The lake of choice

The targeted species

Once we found them its was not stop action. The best part was having the whole place to ourselves. Definitely going to have to find more time for the little guys.

Think less, fish more

Words to live by. The more days you go fishless the more important these words become. Everyone has their droughts and they all must come to an end. Besides it gives you time to shoot pics of all the things you ignore when the fishing is hot.

Skating flies

For gods sake people stop making excuses. I hear all the time that only native fish respond to skated flies. Or dont bother swinging dries on the west side. They're excuses. There are way to many idiots on the internet that will spout off "rules" or "instructions" as to how to understand and catch steelhead with a fly. Let me fill you in on a little secret that I have learned over the years. There are no rules. As soon as you think you have a handle on things, these fish will blow your mind. So when you hear that skating flies on the west side is a waste of time, or that hatchery fish won't take a fly on the surface, give them all the finger and make amazing things happen.

Steelheading is a sickness

Having been born and raised a steelheader I never would have thought it would have such a large impact on the course of my life. There have been numerous things that have taken priority over the years but I always seem to navigate back. In the last 5 years it has it has evolved from a hobby to an obsession. I cost me a 6 year relationship, a 2800 sf house. But these days when I step into the cool water in search of early summer chromers it all seams insignificant. I now sit here on mom's couch contemplating heading back to college at 29, looking for the next step in my journey. All I really want to do is pull on my damp waders and wet a line. Why did no one tell me what I was getting myself into when I started swinging for steelhead.