Summer Steelhead
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This year has been a great one as far as having
lots of Salmon and Steelhead in the rivers in the fall. I didn't
notice that many Steelhead before the fall runs of Salmon started to show,
but after that it has been amazing. Fish jumping and cavorting about like
they owned the place! I have forgone the odd number year Humpy conglomeration... I watch from afar how many fish are in the river this year and it is amazing! |
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This guy was a hatchery fish I caught in September on and Streamer type fly that is not very traditional Steelhead fly... but he liked it and I liked him for liking it and we had a great day and he got to go back about his business after these photos. |
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Early October fish 2001. Not very
big but beautiful colors on a male wild Steelhead. These photos are with my new Kodak DC 4800 digital camera. It is very good. I quite pleased over all with the quality and versatility of the camera. These shots are taken at the lowest resolution and usually are exposed correctly, by the auto settings. I tweak the images if need be on my computer before I size them, and upload to this site. Some days are harder than others to get good lighting on the fish. Today's shooting was too much reflected light somehow. It was an overcast day and great for fishing! |
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This is a hatchery fish caught on the same day in October. |
In August I start paying attention to weather and water conditions, on the large western Washington rivers, and time my trip to the right conditions for Summer Steelhead. What are the right conditions, you ask? Well...when they are right! I have a hard time putting my finger on exactly what it is myself. There seem to be many factors.
One main factor is, "fish have to be in the river." That usually means some "freshet" has already occurred. (A freshet is higher water following a storm.) However, some summer runs are in the water from early spring, and it seems fish will arrive no matter what the rains were like if you wait long enough..
Another is, "water level down and stable for a few days." (although slightly roiled is sometimes very good.)
Another is, "Cloudy" if possible, although I've had great days in blazing sun shine too, but I'm more confident on a cloudy day.
So, as you can see from the previous statements, I've decided any day you can be out there is the perfect day.
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The Ouzel, or Water Ouzel, or Water Dipper, is a constant companion on the rivers and welcome one. (right) Watching one closely (or a pair because they are nearly always paired up) can tell you how many insects there are per liner foot of river. They make quite a show of capturing and eating their morsel. You can count their meals with precision if you pay attention. In the early part of the year they transport many meals to the nest. Its part of the environment and I look forward to them and greet them as old friends. |
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Low water Steelhead fly. (above) Just enough color to attract attention. |
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I like Steelheading with a "shooting head" set up. It is a fly line with a sinking front part, followed by a heavier section, that makes the casting amazing. It does "shoot" out there if you do it right. I had Mike Keeny make mine for me. He recommended two sinking tips, a 30 foot and a 20 foot. The belly of the line is the weight forward part of a 9 wt floating line, even though my rod is an 8 wt. The whole thing casts very well, and the sinking part gets the fly down, yet the un-weighted fly acts more lively than a weighted one. However I have to admit, many of the fish I caught last year were on a weighted fly also, so ...I suspect you can be successful with any gear if you get used to it. Getting the fly into the fishes holding area is the most important part. They defend their territory. |
This is a very nice Summer fish. Usually the summer fish are not as big as the late winter runs, but not always. Summer fish are always hotter! |
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A beauty of a fish. |
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Summer run Steelhead |
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A great fish on a great day! This lady has my bedraggled fly in her mouth, and I'm waiting for her to regain her breath sufficiently to hold her own against the current before the release. |
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| (above) Replacement for the Purple Marabou fly on right. | A beauty caught on a Purple Marabou fly. |
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This is a nice fish on a cloudy August day. I love being on the water this time of year. Everything is much softer and more relaxed than winter. Winter is an "in your face survival experience." It can be exhilarating, but life threatening too. A fall (falling down while wading and getting your upper body wet) in the winter could be your last. Hypothermia is very real, and sometimes is a possibility even without falling. I've spent many trips back home waiting for the circulation in my feet, legs and hands to return to normal after a few hours wading to my thighs in winter flows a few degrees above freezing. Summer, on the other hand, is gentle and seductive. The environ is presenting its self for your pleasure. Remember to give more than you take. |
A nice summer run. Notice the low water conditions |
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This might be an early winter fish. In October you can expect anything, as far a weather goes. I feel the urge to hoard dry wood and stock pile food! Anyone "in-tune" with the season can feel the approach of winter in a very real way. Fishing used to be one of the fall activities that made or broke your survival through the winter. Dried fish can be either very good food, or very bad. Smoked Salmon, of course is a delicacy recognized by many cultures. It was a means of survival in the old days. A good smoke house was a necessity to many. |
An October fish from 97. |
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A wonderful summer fish I remember well! |
Above is a nice summer fish
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