Encouraging local steelhead opener 12/1/07 (non-yak)

Took a hike (and a climb) to get to a secret spot along one of the local rivers. Main objective was to scout the river and find new water to fish. Did not expect to see anything over 12 inches. But I was wrong. Stumbled across a monster steelhead in a small boulder-lined pool. This beast of a fish was about 32-35 inches and well over 10lbs. Unfortunately, we only had one real shot at it and that was the first cast. After that it was too spooky and wouldn't touch our offerings. And I tried a number of different lures. No dice. So we decided to leave it alone and move upstream.
I didn't land anything of note. But the trip was still incredibly successful. Just seeing that beautiful creature was enough to stoke my 'steelhead fire' for another couple years. I wouldn't of believed it if I didn't see it with my own two eyes. Who would've thought?
PK

Not sure were you wer but that looks more like a Chinook than a steelhead.

We considered that also. Or silver. I am not really sure about which species would be attempting to spawn at this time. Its very early for steelhead, especially on the central coast. I speculate it has been trapped in this canyon there since last winter.
But it would be equally cool if it were a salmon. The spots were distinct. And I could clearly see its adipose so it was most likely wild.
PK

The big blotchy spots are why I think its a Chinook, steelhead don't have them.  This is the time of year for Chinook or coho.  If its a coho, be glad you didn't catch it.  They are super rare on the central coast and super protected from angling, including C&R.

Great report of an awesome interaction, PK!  Thanks!   

Eric

woow PK!

I didn't think there was enough rain to bring up the steelhead there yet. I don't think the salmon get in that river at all. It's too far south.

great pics man.  that must have been some rush to see that pig with such little rain!  awesomes

great pics man.  that must have been some rush to see that pig with such little rain!  awesomes

That thing made me knees shake for about 2 hours. Such an adrenaline rush!

And, yes, I now believe that there is a good chance it was in fact a salmon. Based mainly on 3 factors: 1) the time of year 2) the coloration and big spots 3) the lack of visible scarring that would be evident on a steelhead which spent the year in that river.

If correct, it was an even more amazing sight. It is a very rare event to see salmon in rivers this far south. And very cool. I'm also very proud we left this creature unmolested. Because it would've been very easy to give in to my ego and throw the kitchen sink at this guy. Instead opting to enjoy a beverage and observe this monster fish.
PK

BTW PK,

How did you intend to land that fish in those rocks if you had hooked up with that light tackle and blue jeans. 

I got to try that some day! 

Ya, it would've been awfully tough to subdue such a monster with 6lb test. But, like every pool/run I fish...I had a plan just in case it shot upriver or ran downstream. You always should have a plan ready, for just such an occasion. [I learned that lesson about 5 years ago on the Carmel when I hooked into a beast of a steelhead, and it was immediately obvious that I was casting from the WRONG spot. He/she leapt 3 or 4 times then shot downstream like a train and there was no way I could move from my casting position. So I just let it take drag, hoping it would eventually turn. Didn't happen. My only option was to go "A River Runs Through It" and jump in the water.]
PK

You'll have to teach me some of those plans that you have. Although I fished that river when the limit was one fish and the fish were much larger at the time, I and still a rookie at that. The first trip steelhead ever for me was to a hole just upstream from the spot you were fishing. And wouldn't you know it, I hooked up with a monster mama steelhead. I was using 8 lb stren at the time and never stood a chance because of the rapids following the hole and a big fallen tree overhanging at the narrow point. Till this day it still bugs me and wonder if I could have landed that fish if I new how to. But one good thing came out of that is that it got me hooked for steelhead.