~~~Vancouver Washington~~~: Steelheader.net- Steelhead, Salmon and trout fishing

Well here's a quick report on a short outing on the Kalama River last Thursday. I arrived back home in Vancouver B.C. late last night so I apologize for the late report.

I headed out to Fred Myers to pick up my fishing liscence Thurs. morn and hooked up with Steelhead86 at a rest area just south of the Kalama R. (Mrs.Randog had to work ha ha ha) I piled all of my gear into Steelhead86's car and it was off to the river. On the drive out I took a quick thumb through Steelhead86's photo album and was quietly thinking to myself "this guy is definetly a good rod".

We arrived at a spot just below the upper hatchery and above "Saddle Rock" and there was another flyfisherman already there, SH86 asked him how he was doing and his reply was "two to the beach". When I heard that my hands were trembling as I could'nt tie my fly on my spey rod fast enough.

I asked SH86 if he minded if I took the upper pool at the 1000' marker. "Have at it" he replied. I started swing my fly through the tailout and cast after cast I could feel the tap tap tap of something small, it turns out they were steelhead smolts. After about 10 min. of fishing I look down where SH86 is fishing and he is "Fish on" it looked like a good fish by the bend in his flyrod. I went down to help him out with the fish but he told me to keep on fishing. It turns out SH86 lost it at shore. That was only the beginning SH86 put his "Special" little fly to work in the rapids and connected with a total of five summer run steelhead and beached two as well as countless smolts and sucker fish, all in and hour and a half of fishing! I would'nt have believed it unless I saw with my own eyes. Myself I'm a little ashamed to say that I only hooked up with one summer run and lost the darn thing right at my feet! Oh well I stll had 2 more days to fish with Mrs. Randog, but thats another story. Steelhead86's little fly creation worked like magic for him, I should have asked him for a couple to try.

I just have to say that every one of my American fisher brothers I talked to on the banks of the Kalama R. were very nice and helpful people. I have to give a big thanks to Steelhead86 for taking me under his wing and showing me the ropes. Clay, your a King among men buddy! Any time your North of the boarder make sure you call me and I'll show you our Canadian chrome.

P.S. Steelhead86 I'll send you some pictures soon.

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Steelheading, It's a way of life!