Kayak Chrome 1/25

Me, Jelly and Fishinshim hit the lower Russian at o'dark-thirty in search of chromers.  It was dark, cold and foggy...



We drifted a while in OK looking habitat.  We were working a big pool until a harbor seal showed and started terrorizing the place.  We figured even if we managed to hook up it would be a gonner so we paddled downstream. We ditched the people, the seal and the weather improved...



And then Shimizu got bit... and it came off a few seconds later.  Then a few minutes later it was fish on!



He fought it patiently and got it by the boat...



and then the $%^&*@!! seal reappeared out of nowhere and ATE his first fish of the year.

With back to back hookups we were undetered, we sensed we were on 'em.  A few minutes later dinkdink...I set the hook and hooked into this GORGEOUS wild chrome hen, it was a treat to release this girl...



A few minutes later Shimizu was on again, and landed a nice chrome 5 pounder...we were getting pumped.    Then Mark laid it down and boated this FAT chromer...





We called Jelly up from downriver so he could get in on the school.  About then the bite died and Jelly was  getting bummed.  About 30 minutes later Jellys bait got stuffed and he was hooked up with his first steelie.  After several long runs his fish bolted across the river and wrapped Jelly's line in some trees.  I paddled over to save the day but she was gone.  Chris was so SAD, but he is now determined! 

We hustled downriver to get home in time...AWESOME day, thanks Kickinbass for the PRIMO roe!!!

What a day! Tell Chris he'll "get er done" just keep after it. How far was that seal from the mouth. That is just not right. Randall

The seal was about ten miles upstream.

Whoa.... What a BEAUTY!!!!
Congrats Mark!

Sean... cool little hen.
Chris... I'm sure you'll get a nice one soon.

Man, you guys are killing me.  How far is the drive from the East Bay to the Russian?

I might be up for a trip this Sunday.

Nice report - Steelhead madness for you this year!  Way to target, produce, and report.   

WOOT! Nice job gentlemen. I'm going to have to hit the lower soon. It looks like the anchors are working great!

CHEERS!

Thanks Chuck...the Russian start at Lake Mendo and runs all the way to Jenner.  LOTS to cover.  I would avoid Sundays...or weekends if you can.  If you want to come up give me a buzz.

It looks like the anchors are working great!

They are soooo ridiculously simple and change the whole equation.

OMG what a fish! Shiny like a coin. Way to go.

Sweeeeeet report. You guys have a great winter time gem in your backyard.

jason

Beautiful Fish, what can you do about seals!  Rain in the forecast this weekend more sonoma than up here. Could see a rise in river levels.

unbelievable fish. Wish I lived in Santa Rosa (winter) Monterey (summer).

scott

I hate you guys 

The day started off sloooooww ,then turned on.Thanks to Andy for the roe,it was cured just right
It was nice to pop my "Kayak Metalhead" cherry on the second outing.When I first started Steelheading years ago there were sooo many skunky days it was very disheartning.
My freshly charged camera battery croaked after the first shot  .Glad that Sean limped his into play.
Jellys fish was wild,maybe the seal was back.The Steelie made a wake when it blasted from one side of the river under the yak and dove for cover in the willows.That little spinning reel got worked.
After all my gear was stowed and fish put up I laid on the bed to read.I woke up when I had this huge steelhead pull down!

SHINNEY FISH!  and sweet pics too! Way to get out and HOOK a Beaut!
 
Sean?....Does the anchor set-up NEED to be coming STRAIGHT-OFF the rear-CENTER like in your pics? or as long as it is close will do?

thanks for good report and sweet outcome!

Looks like another great morning up their. I love the reports keeps them coming next we need the helmet cam report