After a three month hiatus from fishing I was finally able to get back out on the river. It felt great, especially because I was standing waist deep in the Skagit. While still early in January I knew our chances of catching something chrome were slim, but just getting out and being part of it again was the real pursuit. Plus I had a sweet new rod to test drive.
This time I brought along my best friend Clyde, totally new to steelhead fishing and only a relatively seasoned fly fisherman. The real goal was to teach him how to spey cast, ignite some interest and explore the rivers for when things are more hopeful this spring. Without the slightest pull ever occurring (that little wiggle of a fight from a tiny bull trout doesn't count) the trip was still a success. Clyde was bombing 75+ casts by the end of the day and we found some great looking new water. Water so good it gave me that intangible feeling there could actually be a fresh wild fish anywhere in the run. If the river is still open in March there will be. Next up is the Olympic Peninsula at the end of the month, maybe... Right now the rivers are so swollen and angry they will definitely need some time to relax when the rains end. Plus I really need to get the job and grad school situation sorted out.
But when we do go it will be great to see how Clyde reacts when he has a 10+ pound slab headed back to the ocean, fly line disappearing without control. His last fishing trips with me include the slow sipping cutts of Slough creek and egg hungry rainbows of the Big Lost. It'll be a big step from 16 inch trout to say the least.
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