The steelhead had hatched in the pool, just about the time I bought my first spey rod. He headed for the lake and I was out in the yard practicing. Hours at the vise were spent theorizing, experimenting, and thinking. He wandered the shipping lanes in search of prey. I read books, copied flies and made loops on sinking tips of various sizes. Will it be enough? Was it too much? Where is he now? This summer, in some high water event, under the cover of darkness, he entered the estuary and made his way up river. I headed down the thruway at 4 am. He sits, waiting for the fall rains, the winter freeze and the spring spawn. The King and The Silver join him in his pool. He traveled hundreds of miles, I have too.
The cast landed softly, just as I had been practicing. The fly headed down, into the zone, flickered, twitched and teased. The line curved into the swing, and headed across the pool. Another cast, and a step downstream. The fly teased him. Another cast, a step closer. The sky darkened and the drizzle started. The fly was so close this time; he could no longer take it. He turned, bristled and pounced.
My wife watched over my shoulder during the section when the camera is sitting on the bank and you wheel that steelie in front of it…”What a monster”…was the phrase she used I think….great video shaq. What river/area were you on?
Jim
shaq – great vid .. great fish-tale .. enjoyed the perspective and approach you took with the writing … validates the hard work that you put into learning about all the flies, tactics and all that stuff .. but also equates that level of hard work to the same level of hard work that the steelhead endures from birth throughout its life .. and i think that is the reason that the steelhead is, worldwide, such a treasured fish …. there is a certain level of natural connectivity between the work the angler must go through to pursue a fish that endures a laundry list of trials and tribulations just to survive ….. thanks for the well articulated approach to capturing the labors of both steelhead and angler … enjoyed it.
Wow! Great Poetry! I love this post.
Shaq,
Once again great video, editing work and music selection. There’s nothing like putting it all together and having positive results. The satisfaction of figuring it out, tying ones own flies, for me is the most satisfying aspect of fly fishing. It’s funny how a video or pictures don’t capture all of the hard work and built up experience on the water, long hours that goes into succesfull trip. Can’t wait till the next trip.
Great video especially for those of us that have yet to take Steel on our Spey rods. I’d say you did extremely well for a guy that just bought a Spey rod. I used my 14 footer yesterday in hopes of hooking an Atlantic Salmon, but no cigar. enjoy, Greg
Drool… What a great day that must have been. I would love to try a spey one of these days. All I need is more rods. 🙂
Shaq, Awesome video….you make it look too easy. Loved you leading the steel to the camera while I was entranced by Floyd.
Shaq,
I love the way you described converging paths in your story. Your development and preperation as a spey fisher and the life cycle of the trout. Both of you drawn by the irresistable force to the same pool on the same river at the same time.
Great thought provoking read.
The video isn’t bad either 😉
Fantastic all the way around…..through your story and video you can truly see the entire circle of angler and quarry….it is clearly all interelated. You have paid your dues and have been rewarded honorably.
Way to put it all together. The story, writing and video all came together to make it a very worthwhile break from the bore of my computer at work. I enjoyed seeing you position the camera for the landing perfectly.
Good work, you have a talent for not only fishing but creatively executing.
Great vid! Looks like you had a blast!