solopaddler Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 I received an invite from my buddy Dave who's family owns an amazing waterfront cottage right in the heart of steelhead country up north to come up fish for a couple days. Joining us was our mutual friend Joe, one of my companions on the Alaskan trip. Saturday far exceeded my expectations. The conditions were perfect: high, but very clear water. Normally on this river you're restricted to fishing the deeper holes as most of the river is just too skinny, but we hit fish everywhere on Saturday. The added water depth allowed the fish some measure of security and we found them in fast water pockets behind boulders, riffles, and tailouts that are normally rock gardens. The uber clear water called for fluorocarbon tippets, but we had to run at least 6lb test or run the risk of losing fish. Small micro roe bags tied in white were the ticket, although Dave shocked at least one fish into smashing his pink plastic worm . There's definitely something to be said for wild steelhead, their power is just unreal. So hard and muscular they're incredibly hard to hold with every muscle twitching and quivering. They just never give up! These fish were all pure chrome and absolutely electric. If they had hair it would've been standing on end . Saturday evening we enjoyed our apres fish at Dave's place right on the water. What an incredible spot! The money shot Couldn't have been a more perfect day! Sunday we fished a different river for just the morning. I hit one brute of a fish that just smoked me, snapping my tippet like thread...and that was it. Around 10:30 we decided to cut our losses and head home to our families earlier than expected. (Brownie points in the bank for next weekend ). The next couple of weeks are shaping up to be very prime if you're a steelhead fisherman. Get out and enjoy boys while it lasts! Cheers, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dobee Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 very nice as usual. and what a great view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenhawk Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 GORGEOUS.....jus GORGEOUS.....stellar day on the river!! were those lake superior tribs? lemme know, you don't have to tell me which river tho....i jus wanna maybe stop at a couple superior tribs on my way north this coming may....once again GREAT DAY out there! Hawk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Mike, Sounds like you had a great time! Looks like I missed it by a day on the Saugeen. My buddy hooked into 12 on the Sat, we hooked into 2 on the friday Ah well, atleast it's raining in Barrie today, The Notty should be prime soon enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted November 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Mike, Sounds like you had a great time! Looks like I missed it by a day on the Saugeen. My buddy hooked into 12 on the Sat, we hooked into 2 on the friday Ah well, atleast it's raining in Barrie today, The Notty should be prime soon enough. Good stuff Bill. We contemplated the Saugeen for Sunday, wish we would have tried it. You're bang on about the Notty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvette1 Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 awesome trip you sure got into the steel congrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccmtcanada Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Again and again and again and again!! Simply amazing stuff Mike...can always count on your reports to give me the push to head out and give it another try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highdrifter Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 MEH.. Not bad.. Thanks for the offer to join ya. Had no time for myself this weekend... but I did sneak out for a little sesh on Friday. ch-ch-check it out. Well done brah. HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bly Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 I think that about covers it Thanks Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limeyangler Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Nice one solopaddler...great pics, great fish ...as per usual..lol. I like the bit about points in the bank....know exactly where your coming from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troutologist Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Another beauty day Mike. Good work. Man am I getting primed up for the trip in a few weeks. Keep it up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 When you said up North... well not quite where I thought ! LOL Great stuff Mike ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyb Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Simply amazing It's great that you take the time out to get some quality photos of fish. Those wild fish sure look mean and lean, big difference to those 'other' fish that are in greater abundance south of the border Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kemper Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 amazing as usual! Im getting my ars kicked by chrome so far this season, can wait to get into some quality ones like that! and you can always tell the difference between a wild fish and a stocker, they are just pure muscle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallacio Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 A great weekend for sure Mike...I'm glad that you and Joe were able to make it up for a weekend at the cottage. It's obviously a special place for me an my family, where we've made life-long friendships and spend as much time up there as possible. The fact that it's so close to many fantastic rivers which see runs of wild Steelhead is just icing on the cake. Too bad they didn't cooperate for us on Sunday but Saturday more than made up for things. Looking forward to the next trip...with the girls still in Florida I'll be out again this weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted November 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 A great weekend for sure Mike...I'm glad that you and Joe were able to make it up for a weekend at the cottage. It's obviously a special place for me an my family, where we've made life-long friendships and spend as much time up there as possible. The fact that it's so close to many fantastic rivers which see runs of wild Steelhead is just icing on the cake. Too bad they didn't cooperate for us on Sunday but Saturday more than made up for things. Looking forward to the next trip...with the girls still in Florida I'll be out again this weekend! A special place is an understatement bud, I feel fortunate for the invite! Next 2-3 weeks are going to be fun indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbayboy Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Another beautiful report Mike, thanks for sharing and reminding us that the hard water season is still a while off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douG Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Thanks for sharing your trip, Mike. Great photos too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pikeie Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 wow!! amazing. those wild steelies are sumthin else forsure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strakey Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Unreal man you have to write a book or something spawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehg Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Those wild steelhead are more 'chromey' and full bodied looking. Great set of pictures! ehg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snag Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 GET A HOTEL!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneFly Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Outstanding Once again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJL Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Unbelievable reportage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sconceptor Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Would that have been the Sauble river? I've been moving and working too much to enjoy any fishing this fall......let's hope December on the Saugeen is sweet!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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