Christmas on the Eel

[Rick J]

Took off around 10 AM Christmas morning and drove to the South Fork of the Eel and met Bruce - fished some great runs but no fish - water was in good shape all the way down to the forks. Stayed with Bruce that night and headed out around 7 AM

Walking in
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/DSCN3380-1.jpg

Early morning casting
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/DSCN3370.jpg

Bruce performing a circle cast
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/th_DSCN3373.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/?action=view&current=DSCN3373.flv)

A few casts later Bruce hooked up to a nice wild fish

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/DSCN3375.jpg

clip of Bruce fighting the fish

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/th_DSCN3374.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/?action=view&current=DSCN3374.flv)

Fish to hand
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/DSCN3376.jpg

The Intruder that was so tempting!!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/DSCN3378.jpg

Fished the rest of the day moving up river but no other fish. A number of our favorite runs have really blown out this year with too much silt filling in the site and covering the rocks - sad!! More exploring needed.

Finally here is Bruce performing a river left back handed perry poke

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/th_DSCN3381.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/RickJ/?action=view&current=DSCN3381.flv)

[Fats]

I'm going to have to get together with you sometime and talk about the Eel... it's on my radar now. I hope to have something to write about latter on tomorrow night.

Looks like a great trip!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

That's great Rick & Bruce.

You guys deserve to hook those fish.

[Bruce Slightom]

Thanks Bill. I think it was the hat that did the trick.

[okisutch]

Nice pics. Thanks for posting them!

[Rick J]

what pissed me off is I went through that run first!!!!

[Fats]

what pissed me off is I went through that run first!!!!

That sucks! I hate it when that happens...

I've done it once or twice to a guide... but its a rare thing.

[aaron]

Rick, the second person always gets the fish in that run :p

[Jasonh]

Aaron,

That ones below the belt. I would feel bad but I think that was the last steelhead you hooked so I'll let it go seeing it was 2 years ago!

Rick and Bruce,

That's a nice chromer! Well done. There is something about getting your pocket picked in that run. As Aaron mentioned, he did it to me in there 2 years ago.

JH