Thought I would go out and try for some late returning winter steelhead hoping there would be some since there werent many regular returning fish this year I Went to a popular spot and fished with a few guys early in the morning and none of us saw a fish or hooked any either. I then moved to another spot where I had lost a big buck a week or so ago. I watched from above to see if I could spot the hen I saw before and sure enough she was still in the same area. I walked down river very quietly but ended up spooking her. I thought to myself where would a fish run to mid day and I looked below were the fish was holding about 20 yards to a nice big log sticking out into the water. I made a pass through and nothing, then the second pass down the float went and as I pulled up I saw a big steelhead rolling in the back of the hole!! It rolled and splashed and went down a good size rapid, I ended up getting it this time, took its measurements and let it go back to the hatchery. This fish was thick 35 inches long and weighed 15 lbs!! I went back up to the same spot and made another pass and bobber down again, but I missed. Made sure my line was ok, made another pass and bobber down and fish on! This nice little hen ran right out of the hole and down the rapid. She was a nice native hen, must of been the big hatchery bucks girlfriend . I saw Daniel on my way out and he said that he saw a bright hen jump back at the hole I hit in the morning. I went back and first cast, smolt on! Second cast, smolt on. Third cast, I think smolt on until it jumps two feet in the air!! Man this was a HOT fish I wish someone was there to video it because it was a great fight, lots of jumping and cartwheeling under water.



I was experimenting with some new UV materials and tied up this ugly jig as Daniel called it I caught three cutthroat trout, three smolts and this bright hen on it so maybe there is something to it



A nice end to the day!!

Nicely done, I knew there were a few fish still in the river. I hooked one last weekend on one of your purple micros but had a knot failure about a minute into the fight. Went again the day before you I believe but did not hook-up. With all that clear water they were easily spooked. I saw a few dark fish swimming around but they must have seen me as I could not get a bite. This weekend I had to move so no fishing for me. Seems as if the winter season is winding down but plan to fish for summers as much as I can.

Good to hear you hooked one on the purple-black jig Its been good to me this year!! They will work very good for summers too.

Nicely done Chad!!! Beaty of a fish. 15#.......WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!! Gotta love it Buddy. That is one fine looking jig my friend, no wonder they liked it so much