From the Russian with love..1/19

Had a few free hours this am so I decided to try my local drift one more time.  Flows are CRAZY low for this time of year.  Paddled upstream to the mouth of the creek that goes by my house and anchored up just above the confluence.

With things so low and clear, I decided to fish a smaller plug.  I tied on a Brad's Wee-Wiggler in the usual color.  Velocities are too low to feed it so I was casting it and SLOWING bringing it back through the pool.  After a few casts I got a little tug of the right kind...somebody is in there!

I worked every possible angle for the next 15-20 minutes looking for love.  I had reeled a long cast in about 1/2 way when my plug got DEMOLISHED and my steelie noodle was a horseshoe...Fish On!



With no riffle to run to this fish just went absolutely ape-shit in the hole.  It would take a pile of line and then I would gain some back...when ever it saw the yak, it went nuts again.  Not ready for the net...



After a few minutes here he comes...



Then things got silly.  I went for the net and realized my stream net was ridiculously small.  The net was made for ten inch trout NOT ten pound trout...Doh!  It was like using a butterfly net on a goose, this was a nice thick buck.  Crap.  Decided I had no option but to give it a try...BAD IDEA.  The steelie went nuts and shook his head which caused the plug to hook the net.  I had to drop the net handle or it would have instantly pulled the barbless hook.  I watched my steelie and the net swim away on another run. 

After a few minutes I got the fish/net combo back to the boat and tried to "lip" the beast.  BAD IDEA #2!!  The buck opened a can on my thumb as I held onto its lower jaw.  Add male steelhead to your "do not lip" list.  Determined to get this fish in the yak I held on and slid it aboard.  This big hatchery male was all colored up and ready to spawn.      He could have eaten my last steelie!


Not wanting to kill another steelhead I tried to measure it against the Rulr on my paddle...not happening...major alligator wresting!  Set it in the foot well and counted rivets on the hatch.  At the fourth rivet his tail was going op the end of the footwell a little over an inch.  BTW-don't worry, the blood on his head is mine...DOH! 



I snapped a pic and slid him back in the water.  I held his jaw while I got him back on his "feet".  Within seconds he was perking up and bit my thumb again @#%&$* as he said good bye.  Despite his grumpy personality, It felt great to cut by personal best loose.

Back at the ranch I laid a tape in the footwell and recreated his length...at least 30"  Sah-weet.  Have to wait and see if papa Bill will call this official or not, but either way I just couldn't kill the grumpy for a few extra "trout" points.

   
 


I just can't get over how fun the whole yak drifting thing is...I'm officially addicted! It also just continues to bolster how I feel about yak fishing...I can effectively use the same boat for rockies, ocean salmon, stripers at the lake , sturgeon in the bay, and drifting the river...amazing!

Nice going Sean   Looking forward to catching one of my own. How long do you think the bite will last?

Nice fish Sean.  From what I can see from your photos I'd give you credit for the 30".  I believe there is some precedent with Sturgeon for measurements of that type so I'm hoping Bill will give you the points.   

I really need to spend more time on the river trying to get my first steelie.

Brian

How long do you think the bite will last?

Joel:  Believe it or not but in a normal year it doesn't really heat up on the Russian until late Feb.  Its not really supposed to be rocking yet...   Its really a matter of whether or not the river will be fishable or not.

Steve:  Like everything else, it just takes time.  They aren't any different than other fish, they have habitats and things they like and if you work enough of them you'll eventually get one.  I have had a HORRIBLE spell for some time so it feels good to be back on the horse.

Thanks for the info Sean!

Great Story, Congratulations, you earned it.

John

Sean,
great action shots! I can just see you fightin with one hand and snappin pics with the other  . The fish are certainly a lot more used looking up there. In full spawning colors. The fish in the lower end are mostly chromers right now. Nice to hear they still got some fight left in em tho... :smt023I made my own anchor system this week and gave her a try this week. I'm impressed how stable the yak is anchored in a current. The only thing is it's slow to turn, so you gotta start your manuevers sooner. Easy to paddle back up is a nice feature if you want to go back through a run. I keep trying different places on the river, and putting more focus on learning spots and scouting than hooking fish. I've checked out quite a bit of the river in the past couple weeks, and managed to rip a few lips in the proccess. I know you were up for a drift on the upper section. Are you interested in a lower river run?  Try to get some fresher fish. Only thing is they're running scared from the seals down hear. Watching those seals. They know their buisness!!

WORD! That's a niiiiice Steelie! 
Glad you finally got what you'd set out to.

Z

he fish are certainly a lot more used looking up there. In full spawning colors.

Yep.  This is the top of the watershed so by the time they get here they are ready.  I am willing to try a drift where ever the fish are hanging!  The drift I did with Mickfish and Shimizu was a real beauty.

Awesome report - WTG on getting photos of the action!  Thanks for the entertainment and congrats~   

Yo! Sean....it's me...Don't forget that I have every...that's EVERY Friday off. If you need a photographer. Just ask Andy, I take good photo's, as he NEVER brings a camera.

OUT!

Doh!  Dan thats my fault...FYI...I have every Friday off too!  I thought you had to sleep? 

Great report and pics,get your net back?!

NICEY NICEY, BTW Good plug on the bond movie (WHITE............Sean White).  THE W.O.N. did say thats its the best Steelie fishin in years??  Can or Will they adjust the flow of the river at lake MENDOCASINO.

  Yoo Hoo Nice job can you believe the power those fish can generate?
I've had those babies crush those plugs you gotta watch your thumb. Where are you fishing Sunday?