Around the West, 2009 was a great year for steelhead anglers. There seemed to be plenty of fish locally, regionally, and beyond. We had some epic moments on the river this year. I have written about some of them. I stayed very busy and saw many of my clients and friends grow and evolve as steelheaders. I hope I did, as well.
But there is always room for improvement. In 2009, many of you may have heard things like: “Bob, at some point, common sense must prevail,” or “Jim, help me help you,” “Take control of yourself!” or simply “Really?” As steelhead guides, we see a lot of things happen on the river, some good, some bad, some entertaining, and some at times frightening. I certainly have my own idiot moments, as many can attest. There are certain behaviors that lead to success and some that don’t. Good habits or bad, they don’t go unnoticed. As guides, we compare notes at the end of our workdays. We tend to experience similar challenges on the river throughout a season. We try not to get too worked up about these things, because when it’s all said and done, it’s just fishing. It’s not a competition, nor does it have national security implications. It’s about being on the river. But there are ways to make the whole experience more enjoyable for everyone. So I am offering some suggestions for those of you who might need a steelheader’s New Year’s resolution. You are not limited to just one. Repeat after me: “In 2010, I, Joe Steelheader . . .”
“In 2010, I, Joe Steelheader, will ‘comply.’ ” I was guiding with a friend a few years ago who exclaimed “Comply!” He was trying to get his angler to steer a fish away from the anchor rope. It was a very large fish, and the angler wasn’t in control. My friend had tried in every way to communicate this to his angler, but couldn’t. In the heat of the moment, he yelled, “Comply!” We laugh about it now, as do the guys in that group. He did comply, and that fish made it into the net. The point is, take good advice when offered. Being a better steelhead angler comes with time on the water and from utilizing your resources. Take a class from your local shop. Keep yourself in the game. It’s all about getting on the water. For this, you must comply!
“In 2010, I, Joe Steelheader, will not cast to the same snag twice in a row.” This one is a doozy. This is my biggest nightmare of them all. This could drive me crazier than I already am. It amazes me how many times this happens in a day. What part of the brain tells us to repeat the same tragic event twice in a row? Move down 5 or 10 feet, please. Losing two flies on two casts is not caused by bad luck. It is caused by a bad decision. You can do this.
“In 2010, I, Joe Steelheader, will practice.” Golfers go to the driving range to improve their game. Why don’t more fly fishers practice casting? Time may be an issue. I can relate to that. Some famous casting instructor once said that practicing and improving your casting makes your fishing more fun and productive. I think this is true, especially with Spey casting. Because Spey gear is so new to most of us, we easily get distracted by the technical aspects and lose sight of the fishing part of the experience. Even if you got out one day a month, that would help. I fish with a number of guys who struggle with the same casting problems year after year. By the end of the annual steelhead trip, we have made some progress. By the next year, all that progress is lost, and we have to start over. Go practice. Hire an instructor for a session or two, and I guarantee your valuable fishing time will be more enjoyable.
“In 2010, I, Joe Steelheader, will move quickly through the run.” We are all guilty of camping in a run at times. Some are worse than others. Think of every new cast as a new experience, another opportunity to catch a steelhead. In the big scheme of things, a second cast in the same spot is a waste of time, unless you just got grabbed, or you blew the cast, or you have time to fish only one run that day. If you are spending the whole day on the river, keep moving. Remember, they’ve got to be there, and they’ve got to be in the mood. There is not enough time in a day to waste on milking a run. River time goes by very quickly, so make the best of it. Also, if you are fishing with someone else, it is your responsibility to move quickly if you are the first guy through the run. If you are fishing with me, I won’t put you out in front unless I know you’ll move at a good pace.
“In 2010, I, Joe Steelheader, will leave my cell phone in the truck — or at least in a dry bag.” Do you really need your iPhone in your pocket while teetering on slippery rocks in the middle of the Rogue River? The answer is no. I set a record that will most likely never be broken. I saw three cell phones go down in one day. Yes, three. I was guiding three guys this year who thought it was more important to be connected to the Internet than to be connected to a steelhead. After the first two guys lost their phones, I thought that was it. Nope. I noticed angler number three had his Bluetooth in his ear and was chatting away about some business deal. When he ended the call, he attempted to put the phone back in his pocket. He missed. It went straight down into the river. He recovered his phone only because it lit up with an incoming call on the bottom of the Rogue. Now that’s good reception. I have never laughed so hard in my life.
“In 2010, I, Joe Steelheader, will be prepared.” Bring studded boots, warm layers, and a fishing license. If you are a steelhead angler, there are basic equipment requirements you need to meet in order to survive the day. Buy studded boots. Don’t tell me that most guides don’t allow studded boots in their boats. That is not true. I know a lot of steelhead guides, and not one of them prohibits studs in his boat. Spend a hundred dollars and make it happen. Or throw some sheet metal screws into your boots. That will work. It is critical that you can navigate the river with your feet. Also, don’t wear Levi’s and gym socks under your waders in winter. It’s 2010 — we have better options. Fleece and polypropylene have been around for over 20 years. Forget the jeans; you would be better off wet wading in your wife’s yoga pants.
“In 2010, I, Joe Steelheader, will not yank, set, or pull when I get grabbed.” I am referring to the traditional swing. By all means, if you are an indicator angler, set! That is why you have that bobber on your line! When it goes down, you set. But we are talking about swinging here. Recently, I was on the Trinity River during the longest cold snap in recent history. Needless to say, the fish weren’t very willing to come out of their cozy little sleeping bags to eat an artificial fly. Our opportunities were limited to the warmest part of the day, when the fish were most active. We got grabbed only twice in one day. The first grab resulted in a break-off. The angler set on the fish and broke off the fly on 12-pound-test Maxima. It should have resulted in a fish. Instead, I replaced the premium fly he lost with a B-team fly until he could prove otherwise. Unfortunately, that was his only encounter of the day.
I was reading Dec Hogan’s new book recently, and his best piece of advice was this: “ I have never waited too long to lift the rod on a fish” — that is, on a fish that grabs a swinging fly. I was fishing with a new Spey angler recently who had cured himself of the set. He got grabbed, the fish was on, the line was tight, the fish jumped, and he still hadn’t lifted the rod. I said, “Hey Scott, is that your fish that just jumped?” He replied with a grin, “I just wanted you to see that I wasn’t going to set on it.” He didn’t do anything for about 15 seconds and still hooked the fish. Sometimes the fish will grab once, twice, or more before its on. My personal record is six tugs in one swing before the fish found the hook. Most beginners have to farm a few before they get this, especially if they come from an indicator-fishing background. Give the fish a chance to take the fly, eat it, and find the hook. The bottom line is, don’t do anything! Let them take it. Don’t take if from them. We are trying to catch steelhead. You can’t do that unless the fish has a hook in its mouth with the line attached.
“In 2010, I, Joe Steelheader, will appreciate every steelhead, regardless of size.” Size matters in certain things in life, but not steelhead. Every steelhead had to make the same amazing journey, whether it was 20 inches or 20 pounds. If it ate your fly, that’s great! Every fly-caught steelhead is a trophy, in my opinion. Sure, I want to catch the big one. But please don’t complain when you see that half-pounder jump on the end of your line. Rejoice! You actually caught one!
There you have it. My apologies. By the time I finished writing this column, it had morphed into my annual complaint. But that said, it certainly includes helpful recommendations. I am going to pick at least one of these resolutions for my own.
There is hope for us in 2010. It just so happens that 10 is my lucky number. It might just be a perfect year, even if we are not.
