FINALLY. . .a Steelhead 02/22/2010

I went with two friends to the Russian River, for the fourth time since early January. Beautiful day, no wind, foggy early, then sunny later on.
We launched his 16' Willy drift boat at Steelhead Beach and motored up, yes I said motored, to where the rubber dam is and anchored there to pull plugs for awhile. Since that didn't produce anything we decided to drift down and try other likely looking pockets, with both plugs and side drifting corkies and yarn, perhaps with a little scent added. Many hours went by with nothing happening, except for a few smolts that were trying to commit suicide. THEN. . we pulled into a hole that I have caught many fish from. . .and I commented as such. . .anchored. . .my friend's son tossed his rig over at the hole and was immediately hit, but didn't connect. As he was pulling his rig in, I tossed out and again immediately hit, but I didn't miss.
A short time later.  . .Too short. . .she didn't fight that well. . .an eight pound NATIVE hen was brought to net and quickly released. Sorry no pics.
Can't wait til the river starts clearing after these next rains. I'll be back!

Nice C&R Jeff!  Thank you for the report.

congrats on the steelie, cameron

nice report thanks for that....... I was there but did not have any luck ... we were using corkies and silver salmon roe.

Any interest in a group kayak trip? Please stand by I think I am going to go back this weekend


J

What a difference a day makes weather wise. I can picture in my mind's eye you guys sitting around in t-shirts soaking up the sun. Nice job on the steelie!

Any interest in a group kayak trip? Please stand by I think I am going to go back this weekend

Oh, I don't think anyone will be out on the river too soon: http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=mtr&gage=heac1&view=1%2C1%2C1%2C1%2C1%2C1%2C1%2C1

Octopelagic,
Thanks for the compliment. I saw you got yours too. Beautiful fish. And if word has it correctly, we were the only two that did, out of many many that have been fishing every day. Yep, we were living large that day, weather-wise. Just wish I was still drinking beer, like my boat mates.

Oh. It's otobepelagic, not octo. Guess I been watching too much TV, hearing about Octo-mom. Sorry. It won't happen again.