3 days winter steelhead fishing in the OP

Didn't know where to post this, so figured I'd make it into a report.

I head up to Forks, WA, in late February for a shot at trophy wild steelhead doing 3 days guided.  Last year, I caught 2 really nice 36" fish, but only those in 3 days.  This year was a little different.  I think I went like 10 for 16 or something like that.  The middle day was lights out fishing and I caught 5 in 4.5 hours, missing a handful more.  All except one fish was caught float fishing a bead from a drift boat. 

This year I had the extreme honor of catching a 40" steelhead.  We were going down a rapid and I pitched it into this eddy 6ft in front of me.  The bobber drains, and it feels like I lifted a log off the bottom.  The fish bolts 100yd up river, banks itself a couple time, wraps the oar, just about everything.  25 minute fight and we got it netted.  Awesome warrior buck that had all sorts of old gashes and scars.  Came out to 40.5" length and 20.5" girth.  Enjoy the pics and let me know if you have any questions!

more pics

thanks @Hojo for helping me figure out pic sizing issues.

Schwing!! Nice fish porn

Beautiful looking fish,envious

Wowzers,

Those are the prettiest trout I've seen.

that big boy is an absolute beast!

Thanks for the report.

Wow! Beautiful steelies

Very beautiful fish. Thanks for posting.

Awesome fish!  That buck has seen some things!

Beauties!  Great trip.   

Thanks everyone. An epic set of days

Way to go.  In the mean time I spent the entire season waiting for rain, or the fish to show up, or almost anything to happen.  Not one sign, so I missed another year.  Maybe the fall will be more giving.

Wholly cow, those ARE cow's!!!

Wholly cow, those ARE cow's!!!

Yeah each fish was just such a pleasure to catch

Amazing fishes! And best of all, no sea lions...