Lake Sonoma 10-28-07

Hit the ramp at 0800 Hrs and saw Brian and Uminchu (hope I got your names right) who were heading out with minnows. I headed to the marina area with my Fly rod and trolling setup. I caught a couple of dink smallies on the fly casting towards some rocky points. A LARGE steelhead slammed my Rapala but came unpinned during a spectacular jump. Twenty minuets later I tied on a kastmaster and within minuets landed a fat 19 inch steelie. I preformed fish CPR for about 15 minuets but the patient was terminal. I C&R most of my fish and was disappointed the female fish did not survive. Called it quits about 1200 Hrs and saw Uminchu at the ramp. He stated that they had caught some fish with the minnows (im sure they will post the details). THANKS for the ride up the hill Uminchu.

Matt

Nice job Capt. Matt sounds like a great morning.  I cann't wait to see you give a fish CPR. How did the new fish finder work?

Nice trip!   action from different lures is SWEET! ,but different species on diff.lures is even SWEETER!
Way to LURE them up! and thnx for the pics too!  I love that place...lots of areas to hide.

Naoaki and I hooked up with a few little steelies.   We ended up keeping two that probably wouldn't have survived the release.  It was nice meeting  you Matt, as brief as it was.

For 16 in fish, the fight like their possessed.  Lots of aerials and nothing like a planter trout the same size.

Anyway, I guess that's it for me at NorCal fishing for awhile.  I'm working on convincing my wife that I should leave my truck, kayaks, and fishing gear down here for a couple weeks, then fly down and retrieve it.  When's that steelhead clinic going to be?


Brian

Thank you for the post & sorry for the late report...
Despite the fact that I had very long week in Davis, two Halloween parties, & taking my bosses to ab-diving, & also possible AOTY pts at Paradise, I joined bsteves' last NorCal fishing for long time at Lake Sonoma...
We meet at ramp by the dam 7am.  When ready to leave we meet captain matt (super nice buy) & got some tips.
Started out pretty cold in the lake but sun came out later got nice & warm.
We fallowed Matt's instruction & try to hit the "trees".
I was trolling minnows & Brian had a minnow & castmaster on.  On the way there, I got nice pull down but came lose as soon as I got the rod from the holder...  & another very quick hit...   I lost those & caught up w/ Brian at "trees", but nothing was going on.  The wind picked up alil & I was troll against the wind.  Got call from Brian & we decided to go back w/ the wind, but as soon as I started going back the wind died & stopped me on side... & fish on!  Pick up nice small trout & radioed Brian.   a few mins after I heard screaming on radio & Brian got one too!  I got one more lil pull down on while heading back but half way to my yak it just came off...
When I got to the ramp Brian was ready to leave.  He took me to my car & when I was about leave captain matt came in.  I talk to him & gave him ride to his car.
The was pretty quick dip but very nice one.  Brian passed me on the AOTY, but I know he's been trying Lake Sonoma Steelies for while & finally got one on his last trip, so I'm happy for him. & it was very nice to meet captain matt & thank you for the tips (love the NCKAers)!  We'll definitlly do it again!!!  
& here's some pics...
3rd pic is the Brian's steelies pose!

WTG Guys!!!!

  That sounds like some sweet action,

 Never done the lake Steelie stuff,

 Might try to hit a Hook Up next time you guys hit it........... Danglin