Rivers Dropping

[SR paca]

I got a call from a buddy that managed to change around his schedule and we decided to do a last minute trip.......the water was a bit high but really close to being perfect.

Last time I made him sleep in, so I guess its only fair that he got my butt out of bed at 4am.   After a 2 hour drive we were there and it was still dark.  My friend is for the most part worse than a girl getting ready, so I caught a few more winks in the truck.  When it was first light, I threw on my waders and was still waiting......... We were going to hike a bit,  but since someone was still not ready, I told him I was going to catch a fish behind the truck.  Not the most ideal spot, so I wasn't expecting anything.  First cast, I was picking my line up off the water and rolled a fish less than 5 feet in front of me.  That got the heart pumping.

The sun was out and it was just a nice day on the water with a couple of good fishing buddies.  We moved from hole to hole along the road.  Accept for our first spot, there was no doubt we were the second or third group to fish them, but that didn't matter, this was our day.  I watched a hatchery winter run perform numerous aerials, that would put a native to shame.  I also will never make the mistake of being lazy and not switching out a bent hook.  On a previous fish, when using the hemostats to remove the hook, I bent it a bit right below the eye.  I fought another for about 10 min, then he decided to turn the other way and the hook just pulled out.  I'm convinced that bend was the reason I lost the fish - which by the way, since I never got a look at him he must have been big, really big.......

The last pic, though a terrible photo, was the perfect way to end the day........  he was a thick pig!  

In writing this, I realized that I had missed a good photo op.  Half a fillet got dusted with garlic salt and pepper and smoked for dinner last night. Accompanied by some wild rice and a glass of red wine made for a great impromptu trip.

Enjoy

[Bank Bum]

Sweet!!
A few extra winks,First Light,First cast,Fish Rolling..
Please wake me up,I must be Dreaming 
What an awesome day you guys had.I remember something close to that but its been many years ago.
Nice fish & Thanks for Reminding me... I need to get out & Fish.

[CohoKilla]

Awesome write up and great pics! Gotta love them steelhead. Nice work!

[wild rivers]

sweet great job guy's

[jakegreenguideservice]

nice job!

[Fast- eddy]

Sounds like a fun day on the water with good friends.The dinner sounds pretty darn good too!

[fshrmon]

Sounds like it was an awesome day! The impromptu trips somehow almost always manage to be the real memory makers.