It finally happend on the American... kinda

[WinterrunRon]

Spent another 3 1/2 hours at Sailor's Bar and finally notated the "caught and released native steelhead" section of my report card. :thumbsup: However, it was a halfpounder. :? Took 12 separate days and 25 hours swinging a fly. Tomorrow is my last chance to hook an adult, otherwise it's the first time ever to be skunked in January. :confused:

[Bryan Morgan]

Ron I feel your pain. It has been a tough run. I had better luck this last Fall on some pretty good size halfpounders around Watt.

[wjorg]

What a bunch of crap this "epic year" prediction turned out to be down here.

[timmosazz]

I am in the same boat no chrome in January, hoping that February is better.

[WinterrunRon]

Put in anohter 2/5 hours. Results for January: 13 separate outings, just under 30 hours of casting... one dink halfpounder to show for it on day 12. :( I saw 3 fish hooked from the guys on the hatchery side. Always seems to be 8-15 guys or so over there. Guess I better get started on February since there's only 28 days!

[caniretireyet?]

My hat is officially off to all of you regarding January on the American. As one who fishes mainly trout, but also stripers and lmb, when I hear the committment made and the enthusiasm for going at it fresh in Feb, I am in awe. My disposition doesn't have this. I blame it on high school, way back in the stone age. I spent two years trying to hook the prom queen, and she wouldn't as much as look at my fly. Ruined me as a steelheader.


Keep trying!

Steve

[WinterrunRon]

Okay... got the first native half-pounder of February landed on the second day of the month and hooked a salmon WAYYYYY to big for my light steelhead gear. Broke the hook off in a matter of seconds trying to hold him from heading down in the swift current. Got a good look at him. Probably 15-20lbs. It was fun while it lasted. Just back from a couple of days on the Trinity so I'll be back on the American still looking for my first adult of the year from this stinkin' river! :nod:

Cmon, Steve, where's your sense of adventure!

[flyguy1]

I happened for me today, twice. Landed a half pounder approximately 15 inches and fat (wildfish). Hard grab and pretty much hooked him self. Went to another location, small grab, small grab, let loop go fish took it. set. Jumped twice, ran at me, slack and you know what happened, gone. Oh well, good 10 seconds of action.

It feels good to feet the tug. It been awhile

[WinterrunRon]

Not only the tug, but thos buggers fight like a shad! Hard pullers and they don't give up easily. Both of mine took a couple of runs from landing water back into the heavy current zipping off line. I found myself having to crank down the drag and force the things in so they didn't die from exhaustion. Can't wait for 'em to grow up and revisit in a couple of years or so! ;)