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April 25, 2006
Steelhead Report Skeena BC
What can I say another couple of weeks go by and with that comes all sorts of fishing stories. Attached is our latest picture of repeat client, Martin Morris. Hailing from Wales, UK, his first day out on the water was a success as he smacked this large male Steelhead that took on a swinging fly, a fly his mate back home tied for him called the “Pig”. Call it what you want, as this fly has produced the largest Steelhead of our season, so far. After taking measurements the fish weighed in at 21.3lbs. The smile on Martins face says it all, a monster Steelhead! Ya Baby!
This week has also produced some nice numbers of fish as California fly angler Paul landed 4 nice Steelhead in one day as well lost a fifth that was a big one that snapped his 30lb monofilament loop. Paul told me later that he had noticed that the line was getting weaker on the loop, but decided that it was suffice. Unfortunately, the battle turned out Steelhead taking it; game, set, match! Funny how we as fly anglers want to keep that fly in the water as much as possible and at times neglect our equipment. A very good lesson indeed as the chance of a 30lber may happen only the once. In Paul’s defense though, when this fish took the fly it ran upstream into a deep holding slot running the line over a shallow rock shelf possibly snagging the line. Attached is a small taste of Paul’s Steelheads.
Paul’s fishing partner, John (Castle Creek Productions), a Steelhead producer of the finest live action footage of Steelhead on the fly, after a trip into Steelheadheaven! John’s claim to fame is a part in the hit movie “A River Runs Through It” risking his life to get swept down a raging rapid Brad Pitt could or would not do. An excellent fly caster with a form that is flawless and he also looks exactly like Ron Howard. John hooked into some very large Steelhead during his stay, landing some chrome fish as well. After a long chat we concluded he was not focused to get them to the net??
When John wasn’t fishing he had the camera running and with that magic happened. One day on the water he was doing an interview with me asking all kinds of questions, too many questions, while Paul fished from the moving boat. Paul made an aggressive pull up on his Sage 8wt and in the background the fish explodes out of the water, Fish On. We go to the nearest bank to land the nice male Steelhead with some excellent video captured. Another time John hooked a large Steelhead and I was on the camera. John is doing his thing, you know, talking to the camera about the fish, the way it took the fly, the strength it has, stuff like that. This fish jumped out of the water many times and was all captured on his camera, move over Lani. Many more minutes are recorded with John’s steady hand as each day Paul put on a Steelhead clinic, also landing a bull trout about 8lbs. Attached is a pic of John with a fresh hen.
A lodge is not complete without the presence of women and the girls from Ft. St. John were up to the task of the Steelhead challenge. I remember Sara with a large Steelhead that she hooked in a fast tail-out. The beast came near the surface in the gin clear water and what a fresh male Steelhead it was. We got a nice glimpse of the silver/pink body and unfortunately off it went as quick as it appeared. Lynette on the other hand hooked into a crazy feisty fish that made her work for the chance to land a chrome hen. After a long tug of war, Lynette had her first Steelhead from the Zzzz pool!! Attached is her photo.
As well, lodge guests included the Hardy Boys, Steve and his son Dave. We spent time with ATV’s fishing micro streams for Steelhead. Steve’s comments before he left were, “I will be back, you’re so flexible with the operation you have.” As well Tony from London. My hats off to you Tony for staying with the Spey rod and a great time, the last nite of discussion at Upper Kalum.
Water temperatures have increased to as high as 47F and the Steelhead are becoming very active. Look forward to some more hot action next week as we will be taking more Steelhead on the fly as well the early runs of Chinook salmon, tight lines.
Tracey John Hittel
Kitimat BC Canada
250 632-9880
250 639-4277
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