This was the annual steelhead extravaganza for three friends and myself. My buddies fly fish for trout regularly while I'm the lone bassmaster. I borrow Stradic 4000s from my bass rods and attach them to a 10' 6" "noodle" rod and a 9' 6" medium action lite power rod.

We arrived at the river the 21st and collected info about what was happening. Good news: there were plenty of steelhead in the lower few miles of the 13 miles of river that are fishable, and they were running big this year. To give you an idea:

To continue . . .

We found active fish for much of the week and here's what they eat:

Although they don't look like salmon eggs, all these flies fall into the "egg pattern" category. Color didn't much matter nor did material - they liked both the yarn patterns and the Estaz and diamond braid designs which are plastic. These are all size 10 hooks and are tied to 7 or 8 lb. fluoro leader.

In the heat of the summer when I don't care to be broiling on a lake trying to locate deep smallmouth, I'll be in my air conditioned tackle room tying these. Pleased to report the outsized salmonids cleaned the plate.

Here are a few more:

Don with a plump, pretty brown

Aaron M. with his best

Aaron Holmes with a beautiful "chromer"

Yours truly with a fish that ran me 100 yards downriver before it met the net. Understand that in this world-class fishery that this 12 lber. is merely a "good fish." Braggin' rights start at 15.

To close this post let me add a word of caution: Steelhead are even more addicting than bass!

Nice fishing. And while theose steelies are nice, it is that Brown up top that gets me going!

Jeff

Great post. And yes they are addicting.

Nice job guys !

True trophies right there.

Additionally, I'd like to compliment Aaron M. on his most superb choice in hats.

Way to represent "The Nation". (Despite a pathetic past couple of season)

A-Jay

Looks like an amazing time!