First steelhead report - Addiction Overload

[erhetta]

So over the past couple of months, some of you have read about my many hookups with 0 fish landed. For my birthday, I finally bought myself a net, set up a magnetic release, etc... On Wed, Scott V and I ditched work early and headed to the "secret spot" for another outing.

We rigged up as normal, he took his place in his favorite cut, and I worked downstream of the riffle. I decided to tie on a stimulator up top and one of my poopah's about 3' below. After about an hour of working the area and moving down, I finally saw my stimulator take a dive. I gave a sturdy pull on the rod and was rewarded with a hefty pull back on the end of my line...FISH ON!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/erhetta/Fishing%20Pics/FishOn.jpg

This fish had some fight in him, so I had all this advice from the boards rolling through my head as I was saying to myself, "don't snap off...don't snap off..."

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/erhetta/Fishing%20Pics/Fighting.jpg

Every time I got him in close, he ran off again, almost taking me to my backing. I would get him close, trying to get my new net to him....zzzzziiing...

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/erhetta/Fishing%20Pics/Tryingtoland.jpg

zzzzziiiingggg.....

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/erhetta/Fishing%20Pics/Yetanotherrun.jpg

Finally, after almost 10 mins of cat and mouse, I get my net to him....but he kicked out.....again, I patiently worked him back in net range.....SCORE!!!!!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/erhetta/Fishing%20Pics/Gotem.jpg

Did I really catch one???

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/erhetta/Fishing%20Pics/Ireallygotem.jpg

Wow....My first steelhead....to the hand....(note the tear in my eyes....as my gf pointed out when she looked at the pics)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/erhetta/Fishing%20Pics/Trophyshot.jpg

I must give mad props to Scott V for capturing my first American River steelhead with some great pics. Scott suffered a casualty when we were trying to get the hook out of the fishes mouth. He took a step back and ended up neck deep, waders filling, arms flailing, in the chilly water. His phone took one for the team as it was not fond of being dunked.

I will never forget this fish, the fight, the feeling of friendship having a good friend documenting the experience, and sharing in the celebration. There is nothing like it.....

An hour later...guess what......

My second fish on.....A smaller one, nice fight, to the net....whoops, he wants to fight his way behind me, bypassing the net. So here is this 290 lb guy in gear doing pirouettes in the lower A, trying to land his second ever fish. Eventually, dizzily, I landed my second of the day....

Those pics are on my camera and not available, but will post up when I get home.

[Matt Frey]

Congrats ... that is awesome

[Hairstacker]

Congratulations! Your report did an excellent job of conveying your excitement. 8) 8) 8)

[charles]

Good report Eric. Great pictures Scott!

Hey, did you guys get any more action after I left yesterday?

By the way, thanks for the lesson yesterday, just seeing you guys have fish on gives me confidence that my first halfpounder will come to hand soon.

[roostersgt]

Wow! Best looking fish I've seen in many weeks. Did you get many aerial leaps out of him? I fished upstream of your secret spot today and only landed two small smolts. Missed another three or four takes on a small #20 BWO. I noticed some spent winged bugs floating down and tried my best to match them, as I had no takers on the tried and true #16-#18 EHC. They seemed to like the smallish BWO. Nymphs produced nothing for me today.

[Adam Grace]

Erhetta, congratulations on your first American Steelie! That's awesome, I'm very happy for you :D

[Mik]

Good stuff! Those fish are hot. That will keep you coming back for more.

[Digger0038]

Awesome fish and great photo's.

[STEELIES/26c3]

That's awesome...

Very gorgeous little hen and great that you got the moment recorded.

Of course the REAL record is in your soul and in your blood.

Nice 'essence of the moment' report.

M

[jlmelend]

Was that an 7 or eight weight? I like the bend that fish put in your cane. A classic battle! He shoots and scores! Nice bright, fresh fish! Congrats!
Joe

[erhetta]

That rod is a 10' 7wt Reddington that Kiene's hooked me up with.

Thanks to all for the congrat's....

[jlmelend]

I hate to use a hockey metaphor, "but there is no better feeling than putting a bend in the stick". :roll: That's an impressive pull by that steelie on your 7 weight in those pics! It takes skill to bring those big guys in especially on a fine tippet. I'm sure the fish was thinking the same thing! :lol:
Nice job and nice pics E!
Joe

[BigBill]

nice fish. looks like you're having a blast. i like your new net too. the fish will appreciate it.

[wjorg]

Great Job Eric!!

[Scott V]

nice fish. looks like you're having a blast. i like your new net too. the fish will appreciate it.

Until then he didn't need a net. :lol:

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

This is one of my favorite posts...........it's so cool.

We are lucky to have the American River right here in town.