Oregon Steelhead

**Discount Tire** · 10-27-2009, 04:24 PM

This last weekend, my wife flew her and I up to Oregon to try our hand at some steelhead fishing with my old man (for my 28th birthday gift - she is awesome!). From what everyone says these fish are some of the hardest fighting and trickiest fish to catch. On the walk out at dawn saturday morning, I saw good fish rise so I quickly got down to the river and took a cast. Not more than a few cranks of the reel into it and my line was hammered. It fought hard but turned out it wasn't a steelhead. We're not sure exactly what it was so i've attached a photo. If anyone knows what it is let me know. I emailed Oregon fish and game to see if they know.

We fished all day Saturday, I caught over a dozen fish, I caught a few small Bulltrout, some Rainbow trout and a few Redside trout. Mid day everything had slowed so we took a break and ate some sandwiches. As the sun broke early afternoon we started making our way back up 3.5 miles of river we had walked down. We hit a few key holes in hopes of a big steely. About an hour before sundown I saw another big fish roll. I made my way to it quietly and took a cast, WHAM, my pole slammed down and my drag started peeling. The fish instantly darted up out of the water. I had a big steelhead on and it wasn't about to be caught. I worked the fish for a good 3-4 minutes in and out, every time I thought I was gaining on it, it would strip line out again. I whistled for my pops to let him know i was hooked up, but before he could get their the fish threw my hook. I was dumbfounded, mad and excited all at once.

I knew the light was right and I knew we had about 1.5 miles more river before we would hit the truck so I started to work my way back up through the next few holes.

About 1/2 hour later WHAM, I was hit again. This time I was determined to get this fish in. Up out of the water three times she jumped. The line kept peeling out and I coaxed her back in. At one point she buried her head deep in some river weeds but I managed to slowly pull her out. Once I got her closer to the bank we tossed her up onto shore and put her in the bag. Here's a few pictures. At home she measured 22 1/2". She wasn't huge but a tasty steelhead none the less.

I need to do this more often.

ridemaker · 10-27-2009, 05:02 PM

Nice fish!!!

The steelie and salmon have been running on the east coast few a few weeks now. I was up in N.Y. and caught a bunch of salmon over 20lbs. The one in the pic was my biggest @25 plus lbs. Didn't have much luck with any steelhead like you, dog da% I'm jealous. Again nice fish!! what were you using for gear? Fly rods, spinners, worms??

contenderv07 · 10-27-2009, 05:05 PM

WOW, awesome rainbow, nice work!!

**Discount Tire** · 10-27-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridemaker

Nice fish!!!

The steelie and salmon have been running on the east coast few a few weeks now. I was up in N.Y. and caught a bunch of salmon over 20lbs. The one in the pic was my biggest @25 plus lbs. Didn't have much luck with any steelhead like you, dog da% I'm jealous. Again nice fish!! what were you using for gear? Fly rods, spinners, worms??

I was casting a spinner all day (blue fox). I may try flipping some flies next time but I need some more practice at it first.

I just got an email back from the Oregon fish and wildlife department and they think the first fish was a spawning chinook. They think it was either a late spring or an early fall.

I would have loved to hook into even one fish near the 20lbs range. What were you using? Nice salmon, I bet you had a fight on your hands with that one. Thanks for sharing the picture.

Quote:

Originally Posted by contenderv07

WOW, awesome rainbow, nice work!!

Thanks.

contenderv07 · 10-27-2009, 05:39 PM

When I was learning how to flyfish, I set out 4 or 5 frisbees and tried to hit those. I wouldn't worry too much about how far, it's how accurate. Anyway, great catches

**Discount Tire** · 10-27-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by contenderv07

When I was learning how to flyfish, I set out 4 or 5 frisbees and tried to hit those. I wouldn't worry too much about how far, it's how accurate. Anyway, great catches

I have fly fished quite a bit in the past but I haven't done it much in the last 10 years. My fail safe is spin fishing. I taught myself in my parents front yard but instead of frisbees I tied a piece of yarn to the end of the line and fished for my sisters cat.

ridemaker · 10-27-2009, 06:18 PM

All my fish are caught on fly rod, including the salmon in the pic (10wt) Unless I have a stiff wind in my face on the coast I'll bust out the spinner rod or bait caster for the Stripers and Bluefish. I like to tie flies as well, gives me something to do in the dead of winter. Below is a pic of me and my buddies and the Titan of course!! In Greenville Maine flyfishing for trout and salmon.

**Discount Tire** · 10-28-2009, 08:39 AM

Looks like a good crew. After this weekend I'm itching to go out again. I hope I can make it out in the next few weekends. Unfortunately, I don't think any salmon or steelhead make it up into Arizona.

tywinter · 11-06-2009, 05:17 AM

My guess for the mystery fish is a Pink Salmon (female, no hump). Let me know what the game comission tells you.

Do you know if it had a black tongue?

**Discount Tire** · 11-06-2009, 08:25 AM

The Oregon Fish and Game replied that they thought it was a late spring/early fall Chinook. One guy noted "Jack" due to the small size.

tywinter · 11-06-2009, 08:40 AM

That makes sense...I didn't consider it being a Jack.

Looks like you had a good trip either way.

**Discount Tire** · 11-06-2009, 10:47 AM

It was a great trip but far to short!

chargedTitan · 11-07-2009, 11:17 AM

Looks like the Deschutes River at Dry Creek maybe, I recognize the line of poplar trees across river. I spent the last week of October fishing from Dry Creek and Mecca. The Deschutes had a great run of chinook this year, that's what your fish looks like. Although the tail markings make me think pink salmon, but I have NEVER heard of pink salmon in the Deschutes. I heard about someone catching a silver years ago, but that was an anomaly.

**Discount Tire** · 11-09-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chargedTitan

Looks like the Deschutes River at Dry Creek maybe, I recognize the line of poplar trees across river. I spent the last week of October fishing from Dry Creek and Mecca. The Deschutes had a great run of chinook this year, that's what your fish looks like. Although the tail markings make me think pink salmon, but I have NEVER heard of pink salmon in the Deschutes. I heard about someone catching a silver years ago, but that was an anomaly.

Good eye you got there. I don't know the exact name of the spot but its on the warm springs reservation. Your the second that has thought of a pink. Tywinter sent me a nice picture of one that his brother caught and there are some similarities. I haven't head of a pink in the Deschutes either.

chargedTitan · 11-09-2009, 12:42 PM

After looking at your fish again I noticed the mandible(upper lip) extends past the eye of the fish. This indicates a male fish. If it were a male pink it would have a huge hump. I'm guessing the ODFW guy was right in saying it's a chinook. . I used to live near Bend and have been fishing that stretch of river since 1997. That line of poplar trees is very recognizable. Here are a couple of fish I landed down there, I fished the 26th-29th of October.