It was Tuesday Morning the 15th of July, when I met my old friend at the local park and ride in Olympia. I was quite amazed how well my Mentor looked after not seeing him for about twenty years. You see, one day back in 1970, he offered to take me while him and my dad were going to the toutle river for some steelheading. John ( his name) was perhaps a local legend on that river since 1947. Claims he new every nook and cranny in her. He parked me at a big rock in the river and gave me a tub of roe,showed me how to tie and bait my hook, showed me where to cast, and they left down a trail. They returned after about 3 hours in time for lunch with a limit each of those steelhead. I have never seen a steelhead before, and was I quite surprised when i saw those fish hanging off of each of their arms.
Believe me after seeing that, I really wanted to catch one.
I was used to catching some trout from my dad taking me to the lakes, but never a steelhead. On the third day of casting my little zebco rod and reel, as they were in the motor home and ready to go home, i was still casting and was sure i would catch one. They were yelling for me to come on, and then WHAM. I felt something on my line and it was pulling very hard. The fish went around the boulder, and down river. My Dad ran out of the motor home and charged into the river onto that rock to get my line free.
She was a beaut. Little chromer 6 lb hen... My first..
THis brings me to tuesday. Soon after we launched, John had mentioned that steelheading was his biggest passion all through out his life, and that he had not been fishing for about ten years. About 40 minutes after we sunk the bait, there she blows!!! we had a DOUBLE as FOP was watching just below us wondering what was all the comotion.. We landed both and ended up going 4 for 5 that morning.. It was such a nice feeling to see the exitement on his face when he was fighting the fishees. I feel that My steelheading has come full circle now.. Time is so short so take your dad or your mentor fishing and bring your fishing full circle as well....
HooknHawgs. 
Team Whack Whack
If it aint chrome
It dont go home...
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Cowlitz and my Steelhead Mentor!!
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