On a recent visit back east I got a funny feeling from being so far from Northwest steelhead water. Let’s just call it “Spey Withdrawal” for now, but you all know what I mean when it’s been too long since swinging through your favorite run (we need a better name for it though, I’m open to any suggestions). Anyway, to temporarily relieve the symptoms of Spey Withdrawal I decided to visit a fly shop in of all places on Fifth Avenue in Downtown Manhattan. The Urban Angler is a superb shop with a great staff; I highly recommend it to anyone in the area. Upon exiting the elevator right onto the shop floor, the very first thing I saw was a “Save Bristol Bay” cap. “Red Gold” was all over the shop and the guys working there were well educated with what’s going on in southwest Alaska. I went in just to quench my thirst for fly-fishing and I left impressed at the fact that a shop in New York was so involved and knowledgeable with regards to saving Bristol Bay. It’s great to see what a widespread effect all of the conservation efforts have on something as important as this.

With that said, it amazes me that a few (but certainly not all) of the people right here in Seattle who desperately depend on this resource know very little about the subject. In light of Kevin Davis and Steelhead Diners’ campaign to get local restaurants actively participating in conserving the Bristol Bay fishery we thought about trying to get more of the Seattle food community aware and involved. EWA has been visiting local fishmarkets and have had some great responses from places like Seattle Fish Company in West Seattle (now advertising “Bristol Bay Sockeye” and educating their customers about the Pebble Mine) and Wild Salmon in the Fisherman’s Terminal. Hopefully we’ll have more markets and vendors on board shorltly and with their help maybe even the entire Seattle seafood industry doing more and actively participating in the fight for Bristol Bay. Thanks to those who are doing their share and spreading the word.

Written by: Ted McDermott

A week or so ago Dylan and I headed down to the big D looking for some steel and we found what we were in search of.  It is particularly noteworthy that all the fish we caught were of the native variety (huge bonus points).  Yes, of course we got our photos and we got our video and the fish hit like freight trains and that is all well and good, but the highlight of the trip in my mind involved a fish that was not on the end of our lines.

This guy was hanging out at the top of a very hopeful run and captivated both of us for at least thirty minutes.  We put the rods down and just watched him swim back and forth over a small redd, he was the only fish in sight.  The experience was reminiscent of watching a tailing bonefish on some remote flat with that tail doing its thing, but without that adrenaline pumping “Okay it’s game time” mentality that sets in when you spot a bone.  When you sweep, swing and step down time doesn’t quite stop, but it passes in a different way.  Time just seemed to hold still for us and this gorgeous specimen of the river.

Written by: Ted McDermott

Dave can talk all he wants about his epic Ronde adventure, but in other news the John Day this fall was nothing short of impressive.  You have to love the fact that it’s the only river in the lower 48 with an ALL WILD run of steelhead.  And I caught a bass.  In November.  Booyeah.

Being the second longest free-flowing river in the lower 48, and in the midst of a spell with little rainfall outside Condon, we were forced to fish some VERY slow water.  In fact, Deschutes guide Brian Silvey refuses to call the Day a river and only refers to it as the “John Day Lake.”  We had some swings that lasted long enough to read a book in between casts.  I probably would have tried doing that too, but I can’t read.  Maybe Marty will teach me next year.

Fishing this water honestly made me think about places where steelhead will hold in an entirely different way.  You have to in order to find these fish.  We ended up fishing in many places that coming from Washington you wouldn’t choose right away as obvious steelhead water and in doing so I think it made all of us better steelhead fishermen.  Thanks to our hosts Marty and Mia Sheppard as well as our guide Brian Silvey for an excellent weekend.  Can’t wait ’till next year!

Fishin’ Tune of the week:  ”My Girls” by Animal Collective

Check it out, it has to be one of the best songs of 2009 and its a must have for your next drive to the water.

Written by: Ted McDermott

What do you listen to on the way to the water? Here in Washington it is very often a long haul to our favorite steelhead run and some good tunes to go with that coffee are essential in building the confidence you need to work the water well. I would say good fishing music is important on all trips but is absolutely integral and most crucial on all steelhead missions, particularly those that occur during the winter months. Here are my top five artists in no particular order:

Townes Van Zandt
Drive-By Truckers
Led Zeppelin (specifically Physical Graffiti)
The Boss
Gillian Welch

This is a start, but let’s get into more detail with this. We need a list of top ten artists and top ten songs. I know Shannon’s got some input for this one. The man can’t get enough of that lovely Ace of Base. Let me hear from anyone who has a favorite album or song that we can add to the list because great fishing music is hard to come by.

Written by: Ted McDermott

I’d say if there is any time of year to get in the truck and haul over to the Yakima this is it. Fishing well on top and gorgeous weather….October should cool down and bring out more baetis and some really fun fishing. Not to mention, the cooler weather gets rid of most tubers as well as some fisherman. Solace and good fishing on the Yakima does exist and it happens in the spring and fall Monday through Friday. Now is the time if you can get nice drifts and hit your spots on the bank.

For more localized trout hunters the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie is still fishing well but it is not quite what it was a few weeks ago. There are certainly nice fish to be had but the key is finding them. These guys are still pretty mad on Elk-hairs and Stimulators on top and honestly nymphing produces more suckers than you want to deal with. Cover water well, but swiftly and don’t play around too much with flies; just get killer drifts in the BEST water. Basically, the MFS needs a little rain and we should have a few more weeks of nice fishing on the rocky Middle Fork. And watch out for the road closure about 5 miles up Middle Fork Road if you haven’t seen it yet. It should be closed until December in order to repair the Taylor River bridge.

A note on Oakley, since they have gotten some press here: the Polarized Amber lens should be included in every Northwest fishermans boat bag or fly box. Perfect for low or medium light….and how often are you going to be fishing in the early morning, late evening or on cloudy days over the next nine months? Yeah, I’d pick up two pairs if I were you.

Written by: Ted McDermott