Swing, Step, Cast

Chilly Morning from Bobby F on Vimeo.

Spring Season

The winter season never showed up this year, and it doesn't have much time left to make a mark in Washington. The last few weeks have been filled with warm, bright days as if it were already May. Weekends have been spent road biking, hiking and obviously fishing. Fishing, not much catching, the terribly elusive wild steelhead trout. This time last year I was still learning coastal rivers, the two-handed rod and the confusion that is sink tip and fly selection. Somehow I managed to get myself into a 20 pound monster on the Sol Duc during this rookie campaign. How many more years will I have to wait to find another? Probably shouldn't think about it. Nevertheless, the desire to wade the unknown in search of the great fish remains. This year my season ends due to the new job just east of the Cascades, Twisp and the Methow valley will be home until June. It should be an awesome experience and fun place to live for awhile. The spring steelhead season on the Skagit/Sauk closed, and the coast is a circus because of it. This year is the year of reality, the steelhead and salmon of the Pacific Northwest are almost beyond any chance of recovery. Pretty sad, I have lived here all this time and never knew what I was missing till it was too late. I look forward to doing my best to find a way for these fish in the future.

Only one day of skiing this winter, the lowest total since I can remember, maybe even ever. I can't believe it was only one, be it a great one at Crystal Mountain. Only 2 years ago I was averaging 50+ seasons at Big Sky. Lousy snow levels, half the winter in Southeast Asia, less funds and a greater desire to catch chrome definitely led to the outcome. We'll see what the case is next year.

So from here on out most of my posts will be focused on my time in Twisp. The Wellington Way Station cabin awaits.

Grande Ronde 2008

Grande Ronde from Orange Krate on Vimeo.

Footage from two years ago on the Grande Ronde and the drive over from Bozeangeles. Thanks to Dad for making the clip.

Ahhh, Winter Steelhead

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.