Drift before the storm...middle Russian

I had Thursday off this week, and the timing couldn't have been better.  A storm was approaching and it was apparent that the river was going to get a much needed shot of water.  I called my good fishing partner Mark Shimizu to see if he could come and as usual Fishshim was in.

We decided to hit the middle river based on the latest intel.  I forgot my keys to the gate so the launch was a REAL pita...fully loaded kayaks and chainlink fence    Mark did a great job of keeping a level head, wish I could say the same!  Anyhoo we got down to the water eventually and loaded up, the water was IDEAL...



The upper part of this drift has a lot of riffles, which aren't holding fish right now, but at least provide a quick and entertaining ride...



With the low-clear conditions we were looking for slow deep runs and pools.  Any of the "famous" ones with  public access had shoulder to shoulder line-ups.  Once past the crowds, we had some nice frog-water all to our selves.  We found some fish in the top end of the Snag Hole but we never got touched other than a ton of smolt hook-ups.  To further lift our spirits the light rain turned into a STEADY downpour...



We eventually picked up and moved on.  There was so much "right" water we had a hard time staying on the move for long and eventually we were getting up against the clock...



We got to the Car Body Hole (sounds scenic doesn't it!) and it too looked very fishy.  Shimizu worked it with the bobber, while I put on a super small slinky and side drifted.  We  made several full length passes through the hole for nada.  As I neared the tail-out on my next drift I felt the small shaky tug I was looking for and swung...line started sizzling and it was FISH ON! 



Line was peeling as the fish hustled upstream...then I was reeling madly as it came right at the boat...and then as it blew by downstream I could hear the line pinging.  I was SOOOOO worried that this fish was going to come unbuttoned or break-off as I was using a tiny size 4 barbless hook and a 6# Maxima leader.  good for clear water, but also sketchy!!  After a long and exciting battle the fish began to tire and I slid it towards the net. 



It saw the net and it was time for round #2.   Now I was really stressing, it felt like I was on this fish for a life time.  After 2 or 3 more attempts, I finally got it into the net. I was so thrilled to get this fish in the boat I was shaking.  We paddled to shore for some pics.  This fat hatchey hen was nice and fresh and full of roe...





We made few more drifts but time was passing and the rain was unrelenting!  Our rain jackets began to leak, the light was going away, and we still wanted to hit one more spot.  We got to the Redwood Hole and made a brief effort before deciding we were cold, soggy an tired.  Even the cameras were a soggy mess...



We gave it a brief effort, and we mutually decided we'd had enough of the rain and paddled for the take-out.  Another great day, thanks for the pics Shimmy!

Nice  that's what its all about. Beautiful fish

I hate you sean 

what a beauty!

Beautiful fish, looks like a nice place to fish!

Chris

sean, great result and report as usual, you are head and shoulders above us regular punters. 

just my usual questions, if the answers are sekrit stealhead stuf I understand.

6lb maxima flourocarbon leader or just regular mono?

what is side drifting?

your weight is a soft weight just enough to get to the bottom?

what is on the hook? roe?

is shim fishing on the bottom while using a bobber?

looks like a baitcaster you caught it on, but you also have a spinning rig with you, what is that for?

I love that 'time dilation', where it feels like hours but was only minutes. that is the 'feeling'!

A fish has not done that for me since summer. good thing I caught a few waves this winter.

best,
J

In all of NATURES' BEST ELEMENTS and got a BEAUT' of a FISH on top of it!
Thanks for the pics&port Sean and Crew!
It's gonna be hard to beat those measurments for the AOTY-07'   

I hate you sean 

Yeah, count me in that category too... 
(Awesome fish!!!)

Z

J,I'll chime in since Seans at work.
Maxima ultragreen is an old steelheading standard for line.
We were fishing roe ,roe yarn.
Spinning rod for lighter lures in clear water ie spoons,spinners.
The Slinky is a weight that is supposed to reduce snags.The weight is sized according to water to tick the bottom.
Side drifting is just like it sounds,following your bait,lure with you boat.Less casting and covering more water.
The bobber setup allows you to control the depth of your drift without touching bottom.Especially good for water that really eats tackle.Steelhead will rise to lures and jigs but usally want bait close to them.
Sean was on that fish for a while and he had it to the net several times but it wouldn't cooperate.Afterward his hands were shaking and he told me he was so stressed out!Maybe he needs a more calming hobby!

way to go on another exciting trip! thanks for the entertainment

I love light line and tackle it always makes so much more exciting.......hence the shaking hands and the rushing Adrenalin

chef

I love light line and tackle it always makes so much more exciting.......hence the shaking hands and the rushing Adrenalin

amen to that 

I knew I shoulda' braved the rain yesterday, not! The dry weather has made me soft.
At least you got a fish out of it.
 I want to do that run in the spring for shad.
How the anchors working out? 10 lbs enough? I've got mine mounted and dying to try it out.

Glad we're getting the rain though, this has been a very dry winter.

Great job on the steelie! I'll have to try that someday.

Shimmy: Thanks again for the great day...I'm almost warm again.  The river is wasted today.

Juan: The anchor you got for me is heaven...just right.

It's gonna be hard to beat those measurments for the AOTY-07

I already boated one that was a little bigger @ 30 " We were gunning for something over 30".  Mark was threatening me with a 31 inch fish all day and after his remarkable day on the last outing I was running scared.  Normally that would be dreamin' but the fish are FAT this year, and a 30"er is almost commmon.  Kickin bass has caught some real HOGS this year, but not off the yak...whew!  This fish was a lot nicer though than my bigger fish...overall my best so far this season.

Another great report.  WTG!