My friend and I had been talking about fishing this creek for the better part of at least three years. Recently it had become quite the topic of conversation during prior outings. Something was brewing here, it may have been subliminal but it was brewing none the less. The creeks we “planned” to fish were exactly what the USGS gauge said they would be, muddy and raging. The stage was set, the nod was given and before we even said anything to one another, we already knew our destination. The Delorme Gazetteer was removed from its resting place and we plotted our course with extreme enthusiasm. We got a little off course and had trouble finding the public access. We stopped at a local hardware store to see if there were any kind souls to steer us in the right direction. As luck would have it, the kid running the register was a player in the local steelhead scene. Tight lipped at first he gave up the goods and put us on some killer drifts (thanks hardware store dude). Upon arrival we did the normal things people do when they are fishing a spot for the first time. Walk out onto the bridge, look both up and downstream, look into the pool below the bridge so on and so fourth. Nobody was here, that could be good or bad you never know. The water level looked prime, although I’m really not sure because I have nothing to compare it to. The land on the upstream side is posted which could be a good thing. We laced up the rods and walked down to the first pool with great anticipation. We covered a good amount of water with no takers. We were now about 100 yards from Lake Ontario. I could see the sets of rollers working into the mouth of the creek and that was an unexpected surprise. A few drifts later and I hook into an absolute beauty. I yelled for Kranefly, he came down and snapped the shot. We worked the run down to the open lake and the wind was brutal. Both of us agreed the posted water, upstream of the bridge, looked fantastic and devised a plan to knock on the door of the farmhouse that stood watch over it. The woman who answered the door was smiling and gracious to us. “No problem, you can fish here whenever you want boys”. We were stoked, practically running through her backyard to get to the water. We managed a couple more bent rods and another rocket-ship from the property. Just when the doldrums of winter hit and I start to doubt my obsessive pursuit of this fish, a day like this comes around the corner and blind-sides me. Our dedication to forge ahead and explore some uncharted territory really paid off this time. The fish gods were definitely on our side today.
whippa, nice work! Steelhead once again are taking over my thoughts.What a great catch… permission to fish the land all you want, and a couple of great fish
Austin
Sweeeeet!, had good fishing I see, OH No! don’t weary about poor old Greg, maybe I can get a group of geriatric patients to call and tell me when Their going. Good story and pictures.
Nice work boys. You certainly earned those fish. Making the plans, mapping out your route and finding the treasure is surely a great feeling. Glad you were rewarded for your efforts.
great job, some great outings start with blown plans and detours….Sweet!
Nice tale…sometimes the most rewarding fish are the ones you catch in new places. There aren’t many secrets anywhere in the Great Lakes but there certainly are a few spots that are worth the extra effort when conditions dictate. It sounds like you guys made a good call!
That is some real nice steel whip! Picture perfect. It’s always nice to break out of that winter depression and emerge with a fist full of steel. I’m just trying to find my next angle down there. nice work
Whippa,
Way to make it happen! What a great shot of that fish. What’s that hanging out of it’s mouth? I’m sorry, I didn’t get those GPS coordinates.
Legend
Nice fish Whip. Killer story too, it really epitomizes the Steelhead experience. From the “spirit-breaking” raging local rivers to taking a chance on unfamiliar water and getting it done! Nice work on making friends with the “gatekeepers” too that’s a very important element as well. Well done bro!
Great story and pics Whippa, I’m not sure to understood all you said.
Anyway, This steel is once again beautiful, luckily you’ve found a steel player at the local store and he share with you, it rarely happen in France because most of peoples fish for food and a good spot or drift is never give unless you are well known by the advicer for example in france only 10% fisher release their fish and U.S it is 90%.
You’ve make the right choice fishing this new spot are you we’re rewarded for that.
The U.S farmhouse….by the time I was in Montana I’ve never been chase out by farmer as long I ask before, it was the same in Australia, most of time, there is a huge differences between French and American or English mentality about accessing a spot for fishing.
Defenitely I like much more the way of fish in
U.S.A
Well done whip, breaking out the gazatteer and driving around the back roads can be rewarding. It’s something I need to do more often.
whip … i enjoyed your fish-tale … it’s true … like all passions, fly fishing is no different … if we become complacent it is very possible that the passion may fade, and sadly that is usually the cause of so many dusty fly rods hanging in garages or sitting in attics …… the pursuit of a passion, i believe, takes a certain level of commitment to keep pushing the envelope and doing whatever it takes to keep the fire alive (learning new methods, going new places, finding new water etc…) ….. you are certainly keeping your fire buring, and just by doing so … influencing others to do the same …… thanks for that…
ps — may your fly rod never see dust
Thanks for all the positive comments. This outing was very fulfilling and memorable. I often get stuck in a rut of fishing proven spots that have been productive in the past. Scouting the tribs is a gamble, a friend of mine compares it to the slot machines in Vegas, a good analogy, not only are the odds in favor of the house, you can go broke chasing steel too. However, it’s a good way to rekindle that enthusiastic spark from the early days of flogging the water. There is just something special about being successful in a place you have never been before. I really do hope that my fly rod never gathers dust, or sees the attic.
Great story waterwhippa!! Hopefully I’ll be hitting the salmon river this weekend! I haven’t been out in weeks. What have they been hitting on? Great story again and great pics. Hopefully I’ll have something to add after this weekend.