Well, I just got back from my first official steelhead trip. What a blast. I was told this was a better than average year for these silver bullets. I hooked 13 steelies in three days and only landed 3. I was surrounded by a wealth of knowledge and experience which included my buddy's Jay, Mike and Nori. It appears you must be crazy or nuts to enjoy this sport. First, you get up at 0 dark thirty after enjoying a few libations to get out on the water. The mission was to secure a spot on the water so we could be the first ones to fish or have the chance to fish the best holes. This means wading across large rivers, in the dark when its freezing cold - not knowing if the next step is going to drown you. Like I said, you have to be nuts to cross water in pitch black when it's freezing cold - not smart! Also, this is done in the middle of winter when the average temperatures are well below 30 degrees. Generally, the worse the weather, the better the fishing! In the end, I liked it and must consider myself insane! As long as you have good company and a chance to catch these fish of a life time that God put here, it's worth it. When I landed my first fish, I just about broke down and cried. It was a small fish running about 24 inches and weighed about 6 - 8 lbs. What really amazed me was the fish I lost. It seams, you almost always get to see the fish you hook. When you hook these guys, they literally explode from the depths and launch themselves out of the water 4 to 5 feet. There is no doubt what you're hooked into and you get to see it. The funny thing is, as they are passing you by at eye level, they smile and literally laugh at you just prior to spitting the hook or breaking your 14 lb test. If you don't believe me, just try it once. They actually laugh or that is how I will always remember my first trip. The other very cool thing is I have something new to teach my son and I can't wait!

Matt = 3 / Steelhead = 13. Jay, Mike and Nori....TU!