Sunday, October 31, 2010

Weekly Update

Well, we’ve finally managed to dust off the steelhead gear, and throw a few streamers to some chrome. Schmidt made reservations early in the week for Casa De Page, and I managed to get the house/family stuff done to accommodate the 2 days…

Saturday was our day to shine, though there was some hard searching going on before we found success…

We started in PA, with little results. We ended up covering a few miles of water with only one fish even seen. Mike was able to coarse one drop back into a take, but that was the only action seen in PA.

We then trekked into OH, and started working our way west along some of the major OH tribs. Next stop was a “Because we’re going past it we should stop” section. Neither of us have ever seen or heard of a fish being taken from this stretch, but there was a small obligatory pull that made us get off the exit. We arrived to one car in the lot, and no people on the stretch. Considering that we left the PA lot with over 30 cars in it, there was some appeal to throw on the waders and at least take a swing or two.

As Mike chatted up the pair that was getting ready to leave, we found that they had walked well over 2 miles of water without seeing, feeling, or catching a single fish. For this trib, that’s quite unusual considering that clarity was perfect. As Mike was getting their locations, and where they had walked from, they started into “There’s no fish anywhere”…

“Fish” – I managed to tie into a LARGE chromer who took me for a ride and back.

After about 5 minutes of a fish running me up and down the pool, Mike was able to get the net over the largest steelie I’ve landed to date. Estimates are in the 12-13lb range. Not only was it a big fish, but it was a chrome, bright, pissed off fresh fish who was super pissed. That can only mean it was a great fight with a few scary moments…

As the two guys took off, we got come pics and released the fish. Mike then jumped into the run while I retied the leader…

BANG –

He’s into another pissed off fresh fish that was giving him and his switch rod a run for it’s money. Luckily I was able to manage a 3rd try with the net, and Mike was left shaking…

There were a few more stops, and a few more grabs, but the weekends high notes ended with those two fish. It was overall a successful weekend. Despite the temptations to tie on indie rigs, we both swung the entire weekend in considerably low conditions. We’re still looking for the big blow out to bring in the first good push of fish, but the season has started…

Hopefully the next week brings more action…


My Beast...

Schmidt's Beast

Schmidt's First Of 2010
Tasty...


Schmidt's a De-Hooker...

Page "Variation"...Tied 12 Hours Prior To Hookset

1 comment:

Mike Schmidt said...

Awesome times brother, can't wait until next trip up!