Cold Chrome

[Drifterat]

So instead of being smart and going to work to earn some extra spending money I decided to go drift the tub today. I rounded up a couple of the usual suspects and headed to the crick in search of some cold water chrome. We arrived at the put in before light and made the boat ready. That's when I first felt it. The Cold. Not your ordinary January cold, but the kind of cold the seeps into your bones. But we were there and committed to the drift so we started the float. As luck, or as I like to think, divine intervention, would have it this was the first day that I have ever had an heater in my boat. With the anticipation of hooking some fresh steelhead the heater remained un-lit for a time.

After just a short time up front Suspect #1 sets the hook on his G Loomis 1141S and says with a note of satisfaction "There's one!" It's on, the first fish of the day! But our excitement was quickly cooled as we realized it was just a scrub. Upon landing the fish we were treated to one of the fattest SRC's I've ever seen. He was quickly released unharmed after I snapped a quick shot.



This was about the time the ice rain started. Slowly at first, but ever increasing in intensity. We braved the Cold for as long as possible until it was time. Time to light what very well may have save all three of our sorry souls. The heater, just a regular one burner jobby sitting on top of 20lb tank of liquid heaven. But at this time and place it was God. No not The God, but still something to be worshipped none the less. This was when I saw it, the great folly of the driftboat heater. The reason why any "real" fisherman would never let one of these things soil the interior of thier boat. Heaters are to front seaters as crack is to a junky. Once lit they keep coming back for more. And more. And more. But I can't fault the Suspects too much, as we were dealing with The Cold.

We were just past halfway on the drift when we came to a good stretch. God was forgotton for the moment as we all focused on the task at hand. Boat was manuvered, lines were cast and the wait began. Suspect #1 snags and breaks off leaving only Suspect #2's boondogg rig running in the sweet drift. I spied a perfect break in the cover  and spring into action. Grabbing my Shakestar  I toss my sandshrimp tail into the zone. The 3 shot slink lazily taking it close to the bottom. Gliding along I feel the sweet familiar bite of a steelhead. Setting the hook hard I'm rewarded with the sharp headshakes we all love. Fish on! As it breaks the surface off to the side of the boat we see it's a nice bright fish. I quickly shove the rod to Suspect #1 in the front, as he's soon leaving the area for good and I wanted him to land one more before he left. Not being one to accept a "pity pole" normally it took some quick prodding to get him into it. But when it was done we landed a beautiful unclipped hen. A photo was snapped and she swam off strong.



The rest of the drift finished off uneventful but cold. An increasing wind really brought the chill down. But we did work over the rest of the drift hard. This day won't be remember for the fish that were caught, but instead for the day spent with good friends in The Cold...

[dardevle]

Nice story Shane!  Pure fish there!  I was out today and I forgot my gloves and stocking hat.  I too noticed it was a sneaky cold.  I would have taken an artic blast to this funky chill. I told bmac that I've never been so cold fishing.

[Andrew]

Great post, DR. 

See, you don't have to tell me where you fishing. 

[Phil]

Great post and beautiful fish.  thanks.

[CoastalFisher]

  Great post,also Great job on the water im hungry

[FireFish]

Nice fish Shane, and a great story. Sorry to hear the Man is shipping back to Germany, but what a great send off. I can only imagine how cold it was. I was here at work out on the drill ground, flowin water, gettin wet, and feelin the cold. Don't get me wrong I would have much rather felt the cold you where experiencing.
Nice job....

FireFish...

[Sage1]

  nice fish

[Brian]

Great post Shane, I enjoyed hearing that someone elso was out freeezing their rear off, like I was. The thermometer said 34 but it felt like 17! Nice fish!

[Fish]

Wow what a beautiful Fish Shane, you just keep hooking those Chrome beauties and posting it really keeps the fire's burning.
I agree with the heater thing I hate to light it because once you do, it's over you need it all day long.

[Drifterat]

See, you don't have to tell me where you fishing. 

 

I'm curious about this statement. Am I supposed to include the location in the post? Because I won't , never really have. I firmly believe in the statement "always how, never where". I for one will not post rivers I fish, no not because they are zippers, but becuase there are somethings that you just shouldn't post on the web.  The drift we floated today had one other driftboat on it, and they were friends that were floating with us. I'm sure that had to do with weather and water conditions, but it was nice. But I havn't seen a peep on the web about this river in a while, so I know that had something to do with the lack of pressure. I've seen a couple "hot internet" reports that doubled the pressure on a river overnight.

I feel it's better to build a network of friends, using the web as a starting point, and share locations and reports via email or phone conversations.

[Brian]

Well said Shane, even though many times I have posted about trips on the local rivers, everyone already knows thats where I've been fishing. I have seen increased pressure because of this, however I expect that kind of pressure on suburban rivers. I do not usually mention the other rivers I fish when I make a roadtrip because of  the things you mentioned. The power of the internet is under rated. There are a few rivers, or sections of rivers that I will NEVER tell anyone about. I make take a few trusted friends to these spots, but that is usually because they have shared their streams with me. All that being said, I don't believe Andrew meant anything by that comment.

[Drifterat]

The power of the internet is under rated.

That is an under statement. 

I'm not bent, just wanted my position clear. PM or call me and I'll tell you more than I should...  Maybe. 

[FJ]

Talk about COLD!

Thanks again DR for letting me be suspect #2.

[Drifterat]

 

Any time my friend...

 

[Fish]

Shane I see by your Avitar that you got one of those Extreme make overs, and man I really would like to hook up with you now