Steelhead Pictures 2011-2012

[Gringo Pescador]

OK, this one doesn't have underwater video, or cool music (just mute it), or even closeups of chrome. But I had fun making it! 1st solo float on my Cataraft yesterday what a nice day for a boat ride! Both fish were hatchery summer runs, both too dark for my taste, 1st one about 8# & the 2nd about 5#.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/XSSsaBNGgQE[/youtube]

huh, not sure why it isn't showing up. Well here I guess you can click here instead

http://youtu.be/XSSsaBNGgQE

[natetreat]

Right on! That's a fun river when the fish are around! Althoughnext time bring the fish up to the camera so we can get a better look!

[fishenfreak]

i swore it was a rule lol but I looked and havent found much to say what I though i knew.

Only a rule for lake fishing trout. Not steel. INGI u missed a slay me and nate hooked 15 native steel lost a bunch cause river is super small and they run down rapids hardcore but we landed a 16lber, 12lber, 10lber 5lber and lost a hawg under a log and me and nate lost a double header practically like back to back casts both 6-8lbers. I only have one picutre nate has the rest but we have some sick video also itll all be posted soon.

[fishenfreak]

Heres my big hawg. Video coming soon and nate has pics also

[ingi]

Wish I could have went but it wasn't in the cards for me. Jealous...

[fishenfreak]

yea its too bad cause your leaving and wont get to fish steel till next year. It was cool up there in the mountains

[fishenfreak]

You only gotta put the code between the brackets, not the youtube.com part

[Mike Carey]

nice, the Nooch is going to be one of my yearly rivers, even though I'm 0-2 on it.

[Gringo Pescador]

Thanks FF. yeah Mike, the Nooch is going to be one of my regulars as well. we'll get it you dialed in..

[fishenfreak]

hookin fish in a lil raft like that would be awesome

[natetreat]

Fish from the Hoh!

[fishenfreak]

heres another cool pic from the Hoh

[Gringo Pescador]

hookin fish in a lil raft like that would be awesome

It is, it adds whole new elements. Fishing itself is quite a juggle, - set position, grab your pole, cast, maintain position, watch whats coming up downstream and where you are headed, watch your line and time it all so you can get your line back in and rod stowed for the next obstacle.
Fighting the fish and figuring out what you are going to do is a fire drill - for instance, in the 1st clip once I saw the fish well enough to know I didn't want to keep it, I was in too deep of water to safely jump out and release it (and I am not about to lean over the edge). So I had to figure out what to do/where to go next, get there, get out of the boat, make sure it was anchored securely, then go about landing the fish.
The 2nd clip, the water was too fast for the anchor, and there were some rapids coming up. So I had to paddle like heck to the shore, then in my hurry I almost paddled right into a beached DB that was behind me.
The nice thing about this cataraft is the deck, I can actually stand up in calm conditions.

[ingi]

When you have the fish on and put it the rod back in the holder, is you drag pretty high and have you lost fish with the rod in your holder? Just wondering I don't think I could put the rod back in the holder with a fish on but I guess it's something to get used to

[fishenfreak]

Heres the video of the hoh hawg that fought like a king salmon, Nate has the other vids so you can see them all at some point.

[Mike Carey]

hookin fish in a lil raft like that would be awesome

It is, it adds whole new elements. Fishing itself is quite a juggle, - set position, grab your pole, cast, maintain position, watch whats coming up downstream and where you are headed, watch your line and time it all so you can get your line back in and rod stowed for the next obstacle.
Fighting the fish and figuring out what you are going to do is a fire drill - for instance, in the 1st clip once I saw the fish well enough to know I didn't want to keep it, I was in too deep of water to safely jump out and release it (and I am not about to lean over the edge). So I had to figure out what to do/where to go next, get there, get out of the boat, make sure it was anchored securely, then go about landing the fish.
The 2nd clip, the water was too fast for the anchor, and there were some rapids coming up. So I had to paddle like heck to the shore, then in my hurry I almost paddled right into a beached DB that was behind me.
The nice thing about this cataraft is the deck, I can actually stand up in calm conditions.

ya, I missed a take down on our first Wynoochee trip because of rowing when the fish hit. It's the trade-off ya have to deal with. It's a great way to get from drift to drift, but challenging to fish from. One thing you'll probably try at some point is plulling a plug - and that offers a whole new set of challenges! Not so much for a two person toon because the way mine is set up, the guy in front can grab the rod. FOr you it will be the same challenge, but a little easier - just row like heck for shore and drop the anchor in a safe spot.

[Gringo Pescador]

When you have the fish on and put it the rod back in the holder, is you drag pretty high and have you lost fish with the rod in your holder? Just wondering I don't think I could put the rod back in the holder with a fish on but I guess it's something to get used to

Haven't lost a fish yet, and actually the drag is set a little light, then just thumb it. With the 10' ML pole in the holder and the fact I am going downstream and rowing towards the bank the line never goes slack. I am using 12# leader also which helps a lot I am sure
You can't row with one hand and if it comes to crossing your fingers and throwing the rod in the holder to get to someplace safe or fighting the fish and hoping you can land it before going into the trees/rapids/etc. - the decision is pretty automatic.
I have a rod holder on the deck right between my legs, so pulling plugs should be pretty easy. Now I just need to go out and buy the plugs..

[natetreat]

Here's the rest of the video for the hoh trip.

[fishenfreak]

sweet nate!

[fishenfreak]

Vedder Slay today