Steelhead Flies: Egg Sucking Leeches, A Tasty Steelhead Snack

by | Fresh Water

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Yesterday, I caught the best steelhead of my life. There was an overhanging tree on the far side of the river. Some of its branches were in the water creating a strainer effect. I cast 10 feet above the tree and let my line float as close to the tree as possible without getting hung up on the tree. Just past the center point of the drift, my balloon indicator twitched. I applied a downstream hook-set and the line ripped out from under the tree, upstream and into shallow water. I maintained downstream pressure on the fish. The fish then turned its head and made a blistering run down river. At this point, I knew this was a big steelhead. I held my ground and fought the fish trying to apply ample pressure but not too much pressure. Just as quickly as the steelhead had shot downstream, it shot back upstream. I reeled my line in quickly but could not keep up with the speed of the fish. All of the slack in my line led me to believe that my steelhead of a lifetime had eluded me once again. Then just as quickly as I thought he was gone I realized he was still hooked. The fish had displayed and used its speed tactics and now reverted to strength. The fish used all its strength and bulldogged downstream. I tried my best to maintain consistent pressure and gain line with every opportunity as the fish and I worked downstream together. Then we came to a crossroads where victory and defeat would be decided. The slower water that I had been fishing was about to merge with huge white water. If the fish were to get much further below me, he would be victorious. I had to hold my ground and it was land him here or never. We patiently fought a battle of inches and I won. It felt good to win, because I have been beat many times. To date, this is my best steelhead ever. I spent time reviving and admiring this fish and released him to the water where he belongs.

11 Comments

  1. wrh on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Joey,

    Congradulations on the sweet fish. This gets me doubly psyched for tommorrow as I will be going after steel!!!

  2. Keith on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Killer Joey!! Sweet fish, glad the gods were on your side for that one. Just what I needed to see today. Weather is crap here in Maine. Hoping to head west for some steel sometime soon. Stick few more for me.
    Keith

  3. rolcast on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Wow! Great story. Someday I’ll make it out there to test my skill. But until then I’ll learn as much as possible by reading your stories. Is this the best season?October-March?Is that because the crowds are down due to hunting?The weather must also have a lot to do with it.Anyway beautiful fish!

  4. joe-m on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    What a fish ! If anyone can trick and land big steel it’s you. You deserve it. From the time you were a little boy I knew you would become the great fisherman you are !!! I only wish I was there to share this moment with you. Keep following your dream. I’m very proud of you.
    Dad adk joe-m

  5. Paul24 on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Nice fish Joe….Paul

  6. Fisherboy on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    What a fish! Joey….a trip of a lifetime! That is truely BIG STEEL!!!! I could only imagine hooking a fish like that, the thing must have torn!!!! Beautiful fish joey glad you started the steel season off with a BANG!!!!

    Austin

  7. waterwhippa on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Joey, You have paid your dues. Put in a great deal of time on the water, braved the elements, walked endless miles, cleared frozen rod guides. It all came together and you were victorious. What a great memory to have and look back on…….”glass”

  8. jeremy on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Joey,

    Great job man … across the board that is not an easy task. Finding the steel in high water can be challenging .. then tricking the steel with flies has its challenges and then landing the fish in tight spots with high water is sometimes boarderline impossible. Congratulations on coming out victorious .. For all of the reasons mentioned above, victory could so easily have been lost. As always, releasing the fish to swim another day is the true sign of a modern day steelhead fly fisherman. A digital picture is much better than a mount and much better for our steelhead fisheries … and .. ya can’t e-mail a mounted fish .. So many “fish of a lifetime” end up on walls … I’m glad this one didn’t, as I am sure you are as well.

  9. laurenslegend on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Joey,
    Nice fish. Now give up the details, what stretch, what fly, etc. I’m glad you released the fish because Robin and Shaq probably caught it today. If not, I’ll get it next week.
    Good decision to hold your ground under that flow.Nice job.

  10. hedrush999 on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Nice going Joey. Those steelhead are not easy. So tough in fact that my past couple trips up there have beaten me up both physically and emotionally. Great looking fish, but better yet, that bottom pic is one of the best steelie pics that I have ever seen.

  11. Luke on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Joey… Just amazing. Congratulations on an epic battle with a giant fish. you’ll never forget it. Victory is far from a guarantee as we all know. I wish I could have witnessed it myself. again congratulations.