Russian Drift 3/10

Met up with Chuck and Frank at Steelhead Beach where we dropped off Frank's truck and drove up to my Cabin where we launched at 7 or so. I hooked up a fatty that I lost at boatside right off the bat. Water conditions were perfect but I think the weather was too nice, I would have preferred overcast. Frank and Chuck did great and fished really hard all day lotta smolts to keep you on the trigger all day. Later on I caught a big wild Hen that looked as if it had been attacked by a otter or furbag she put up little fight and was spewing eggs when I got her to the beach I did my best to revive her but she was pretty beat up and I doubt if she made it  . Saw a lotta wild life and had the river pretty much to ourselves. Got to the take out at about 7 almost 12hrs on the water long day but It was great. Thanks for coming up guys you fished harder than most I've been with, you will hook up soon it's not easy and thanks for the shuttle. Chuck those pastries are the bomb.  Shot of the Warrior's preparing to do battle and the picturesque Redwood Hole.

 Thats a long day Mike! I hope the guy's can stay awake on the way home.

Wow...! That's a long drift. How long do you think we still have this season to score some Russian steele? I'd love to give it a try after this next storm passes through.

Freddie

Downstreamers are starting to show, so if you want an eater go soon. If it's just for aoty you can wait for a snake!

I'd like to eat one if I could or maybe smoke one. So, I guess I should get on it... Is it artificials only after March on the Russian???

Freddie

Mike, Your the best. Like you said it will take a few more drifts really to get acclimated to this type of fishing. Have to say my shoulders are a little sore from all the back paddling but what a trip. Beautiful country, an arrow head found on the beach and what great company.
I must admit you really had me worried there with the balancing act off that one tree. I think it was the Ah S#@% that I heard just before the climb that got my attention.
I don't know how many times I had the Ah S#@% myself but I would do it again in a heart beat. I wasn't aware how involved this type of fishing was until I did it and my hats off to anyone else who has done it. This is the type of fishing that really gets a person in tune with their Kayaking and fishing secondary. But even smolties were a good way to break in.
Thanks for the awe inspiring experience which is the reason you have to love this sport.
Frankfishing

wow, 12hrs in that water & no dumping!?!?
good job guys to stick through it!  but sounds like nice day tho...
the steelie fishing is something else from the yak.  I wanna try it again sometime (but not the tipping part)...

Long drift...solid effort.

Sounds fun, guys.  More pics to see?

 

Whoa!..that's a sorebut journey for sure! I'm gonna have to take you up on "one" of your offers Mike! That whole scene looks WAY-SWEET!
  I like the 2pics from the 12hrs of time on the water.

Sounds fun, guys.  More pics to see?

 

Frank~ I just replied to your delta trip with Jeff & Naoaki, now your doing a 12hr tour?
..that is "pure" MADNESS dude...iLIKEit&IamHATINGonYOU!(street-talk for I'm so jealous)

thanks for the report!.....i'llBEonSTANDBY

  :bootyshake:Frank~ I just replied to your delta trip with Jeff & Naoaki, now your doing a 12hr tour?
..that is "pure" MADNESS dude...iLIKEit&IamHATINGonYOU!(street-talk for I'm so jealous)

thanks for the report!.....i'llBEonSTANDBY

No hating fellows someones got to do it.

Our lunch spot and where Mickfish cliamed his Kayak on that tree in the forground.

Mickfish with a bouquet of flowers for the Mooch

Chuck showing his fishing skills on land

That estimated 10 mile drift was a long technical fishing adventure .....constant multi-tasking to save my ass from dying .... while trying to fish.

Thank you Mike.  I now appreciate anyone who's ever drifted the river from a yak and landed a steelhead.  The guys who've succeeded deserve double AOTY points.

I'm sorry I wasn't quick enough to get to Mickfish to snap photo of that steelie he lost boatside.  It was big and looked to be in the 30 inch range.  My heart sunk when I saw the hook pop from the fish's mouth just moments from being netted.

Frank, I'm proud of you for not ending up like Naoaki (sorry... my Okinawan bro )

Thats a long day Mike! I hope the guy's can stay awake on the way home.

Good thing Frank was able to stay awake for the drive home because I was dead to the world with absolutely no sleep the night before.

I plan to get to bed early before I do that adventure again.  The Russian is no place to fall asleep on a yak.  I did manage a few 30 second catnaps here and there.

I like the 2pics from the 12hrs of time on the water.

Sorry Adam I didn't take a lot of shots
Here is Chuck coming thru a rapid watch the tree of to the right then he looks back to see if his rod is still there and a shot of a Smolt.

OK!..there's a few more shots, that's making me think twice, about TRYING THAT! 
 looks like alot of time spent on "saving yo' ass!" than fishing?...tell me IT's OK and to CALM the hell down! 
Can you keep those smolts alive for BIG STRIPER bait?

Thanks for the XTRA pics on request MIKE!  was that a high flow?

It's OK Adam you can handle it easy it's regularly done by drunks on rental canoes, most of the rapids are really shallow and you can jump out if you feel like it. The only times it got close was that we were fishing and not paying any attn to the water. Those were normal flows for the winter, spring and summer flows are a lot lower. No way you can keep the smolts alive and they should all be released so they can return as adult fish, that's the big reason for the barbless hook requirement. Some of those smolts are natives and would be illegal to keep. let me know when you what to give it a shot.