* San Lorenzo River - Early February
After I was told that people were fishing for steelhead on the San Lorenzo River, I thought to myself, why not go down there? So I did. It was quite an adventure. I have never been there before so I kept asking fishermen, who were coming back from a morning fishing, where you go, what to do, and whether they caught anything. The two I met at first, said, "no, they didn't catch anything." although they said people were catching fish. The third guy I talked with got one. I was surprised at the steepness of some of the paths down to the river. I did find a way down; but I spent part of the descent on my butt so I wouldn't fall.
I didn't catch anything, but I learned a good deal about casting with trees in the way. At one point, my wooly bugger got stuck on a log in the river. I was determined that the log was not going to keep my fly, so I waded into the river (no waders) and got it out. -Fred Messner
* It's March...and that means spring! (If you live in California)
I was asked the other day what I do now that it's the off season and most of the water in Colorado is covered by inches of ice. Well, I fish! I've been making the most of my off time, traveled out to the club meeting in December. It was great to see everyone and thanks again for letting me test out that new mic! After the club meeting I ran north to Oregon and the Nestucca River, swinging flies for steelies. I hooked a number, really was a week early for the peak of the run (but I did manage to hook a real nice king.)
After Oregon I continued north to fish some rivers. The Skykomish, Sauk, and Skagit in Washington all produced hook ups but for some reason I long-leader released most fish until I ran to the Olympic Peninsula for a few days. The Calawah and Bogichiel were productive nymphing egg patterns. I swung flies on the Hoh, saw hook ups in boats but couldn't connect with anything, although the water was perfect.
After a month of chasing steelhead I was forced into reality when work called again, but we do have some open water out here and when its not 20 degrees for a high, I get out to tail some fish.
Other notes: John and Elaine - you guys should look at DeBuqe spring creek in NW Colorado, or the Yampa for a tailwater, or the White River drainage (it holds up real well during runoff time.) Also on my way back to Colorado I received a few phone messages from club members asking about fish in Colorado. Unfortunately I broke my phone while in Utah after entering numbers and notes to get back to folks. So, if anyone wanted anymore information from December's meeting or Colorado in general feel free to call me at home (970) 921-5259. And since it's March it might be time to take another trip; havent fished Nevada yet. - Rob Dumford