30 inch wild steehead on the russian river

big fish today

Nice!   

 

Now maybe I can tell the story. We left Healdsburg at 7am and arrived at the take-out at 4pm. 9 hours on the water with two of the best. Allen and Patrick. Our own resident hall of famers. Patrick aka HOLY TOLEDO schooled me some on the way to the launch as I had never fished this strech of water in a kayak. All was good. Years of paddling leaves us with a second nature sometimes that just picks up things and adapts easily. Halfway through the drift. my bait was smashed by an agressive and fiesty steelie. A run to left for cover was frightening and then a run to the right. Apparently this fish knows Hobies because then she took off for Allens drive unit. Airborne, twisting, surging, diving, this fish tried it all. We wre in a pretty good strech to fight the fish luckily and I paddled with one hand while fighting the fish with the other. I made it over to a gravel bar and finshed the battle in shallow water. When she came up we saw she was a wild fish and worked fast to get her back in and on her way. A quick measurement and some pics and she was oof to make more babies. That was it for me today as far as the fish goes. That was enough. My best river steelhead. Wild to boot. Thanks Allen and Patrick. I just met these guys not long ago and it feels like we have known each other for years. The water was just perfect today. A nice milky green and a cool overcast sky made this for a real nice day. Allen you teach me more every time we fish together as how to have more fun while we are on the planet.

Very nice Craig. WTG on the steelie. What a beautiful fish. Congrats on taking
first place on the AOTY board.

Jedmo

Nice Hen!  How'd Otobewankanobie do?

Sweet feesh Craig!!

-Allen

Now thats a beautiful fish....looks like you're right next to Benoist.

You know Sean I really don't know. I thought I was in heaven though.

Great fish love reports of areas that i dont get to fish or have never fished...

Craig-

Congrats, that's a great looking fish... You were out with two of the best.

Freddie

Nice one Craig

Congrats Craig!  That's a bright beautiful wild fish!  Right on!

Very nice. I had to close my mouth.....total ahhhhhh

(I just met these guys not long ago and it feels like we have known each other for years.) Gotta love this sport!!!!

Nice fish.  Glad to see you figured out an anchor for the Caper.

Brian