Methow Valley Steelhead Fishing

Last week, October 18th I spent the day on the Methow River with my friend from the Lake Wenatchee area Jim Passage.  I had only been Steelhead fishing a couple of times and still had not caught a fish.  The night before we stayed at the Rand home near the town of Methow which was an experience in itself.  It was a beautiful lodge style home filled with elk, deer, moose and several other mounts.  The bedroom I stayed in had 5 massive elk racks in it alone.  The Rand's were great hosts and we had a great breakfast before we started our early morning trek up the river to set the boat/raft into the water.  Aaron from Brazda's Guide Service was our guide for the day.  We set in just below the town of Carlton at the Gold Creek access where we spent some time swinging flies and getting into the groove of Spey Casting.

Jim Passage first thing in the morning gearing up at Gold Creek 

 It took me quite a while to relearn some of the techniques but Aaron was a great patient instructor.

Jim Setting up a Spey Cast below me

 After a period of time we got in the raft and headed down the river nymph fishing with eggs.  I caught my first Steelhead down the river some.  It was not huge but it was my first of the day and I was pretty excited!!!

HippieD's First Steelhead!!!

 We continued our drift and Aaron saw that I was struggling with my spey cast to my right so he asked if I would like to try "Pinning" and I looked at him like what the hell is "Pinning".  Well we got another rod from the raft out and it was a 13 foot, very flexible rod with a clear torpedo like indicator and a couple of egg set up's on it.  After a few examples of how to cast the rod Aaron turned the weapon over to me.  Here is the deal, this is a long rod for sure and along with the rod comes a reel that is a direct drive, free wheeling, fly reel like looking set up.  You use your fingers to slow the cast down and then once you get a fish you use the palm of your hand as a drag.  Yes, there is no drag on this set up.  One lesson learn real quick is that when you get a fish in be careful on getting your fingers around the handles of this reel because they are rotating very fast as the fish strips line off and you will get some bruised knuckles really fast.  Well after some casting Aaron works with me on some places to fish and very quickly the indicator goes down and I set.  All Hell breaks loose and the fish shakes the rod with angry motions and then it breaks the water several times while I palm the reel to put some pressure on the set up.  I finally get the fish in and whew!!!  That was an amazing fight.  It is a great native fish of which I caught several during the day.

Our Guide Aaron with a beautiful Native Steelhead...  amazing color...

Aaron holding one of the Hatchery fish which came home with us

We continued the drift and I also continued to work on my Pin Casting.  Found that I did pretty well overhead casting if I wanted to get out just a bit further and then I would underhand or even side cast to do shorter throws.  I had my share of tangle ups but the braided line was pretty forgiving and Aaron, watching me was able to coach me on what I was doing wrong.  Jim Passage tried the pin fishing but was more comfortable single hand nymph fishing and caught several fish as well.  The Chinook were up in the river nesting and as we drifted over the reds we seemed to pick up some great fish.  We were anchored in one hole and I was casting out when the indicator went under.  I set the hook and fish on.  It was an interesting fight more of a small fish shake and then it seemed to just come in on me.  As it got closer to shore and the boat it took off like a bullet.... up out of the water came this huge black shape with a red stripe down it's side.  It shook wildly and the line went limp as it long distance released (LDR) on me.  I still wake up thinking about this huge fish which may have been a Coho....  Would have loved to have brought it in and taken a picture.
We continued our float and I learned to catch fish from the boat and also from the shore.  I had a great day and it was filled with grins and smiles.  As my brother Dale would say I had a "Good" day....

Jim shot this great picture of me fighting a great fish on the pin rod...

We worked the Methow from morning dark to early evening dark.  It was a glorious day with sun, little wind and just amazing conditions.  I was fulfilled learning two more fishing techniques and catching some great fish.  We were just about at the end of the float and we were still one fish down in terms of hatchery so I did a final pin cast and down the indicator went...set... and the fight was on.  This was a great fish just sensing the dramatic tugging that was going on.  We worked the fish gently in and put her in the net.... a very nice hatchery hen and our day was complete.

Thanks Jim for the invite to play on the river for the day.  Thanks to Brazda's Fly Fishing and Aaron for the great guiding, education and help on the river.  This was clearly one of my greatest fishing days and as Aaron would say "Epic" just Epic....