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Starting Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Skykomish River
Method of Persuasion: Shrimp, Jig & Egg
Setup: Okuma Celilo 9'6" 4-8lb Rod, Pfluger Trion 30 Reel, 14 Pound Nanofil.

Guiding and angling, two subjects which are not synonymous; Sunday was the first day I've been able to wet a line, moreover, enjoy the art of angling on a personal note. Since the season began, it's been morning after morning of splicing, tying (love it), rigging, landing, instructing, encouraging and punching fish. After a while, seeing such a myriad of Chrome day in and day out simply becomes autonomous. If I fished to fish, I would have quit a long time ago, but thankfully I've reinvented and simply enjoy serving people, watching them grow and rediscover whatever they want to find out on the water. Though I love serving people, it is refreshing to rekindle my personal passion for the art of angling.

The sun was shining, the Highway 2 traffic was inching along, and I was happily bumbling along down to the fishing hole. Funny that my one day of rest should actually fall on a Sunday. DMC float, double bobber stopped and properly weighted with hematite rounds, it was time to select my offerings of choice. The siren song of "this is my rod, there are many like it, but this one is mine" chorused through my head as I wondered what the Chrome Ghosts would be in the market for this surreal afternoon.

Dissatisfied with the idea of floating, I clipped off my setup and spliced on some light drift gear. After rigging up a shrimp tail the diameter of a hot dog, and the length of a .223 round (Jungle's shop in Startup stocks a very worthy supply of Sand Shrimp) I took a swing though the first seam; to my surprise, a breath taking Resident Rainbow took my offering, around 15". After a quick release (these Rainbows make their lake dwelling cousins look like desk jockeys next to a string of Muay Thai fighters) I decided it was time to work the top water column.

Some days, you walk up to a hole and walk out with a fish. Other days, you throw your soul into the river, and walk out with humility; this afternoon felt like the latter. After tossing out my fourth jig pattern to no avail, I started to become discouraged. Finally, I reached down into my box and tied on my least favorite pattern. Laced with the scent of Sand Shrimp long gone, I sent it through the hole. Now when it comes to float fishing, it is rare for me to actually see my float sink; I end up getting so bored that I stare at the Eagle screeching overhead and then wonder "wait, was I floating or drifting this pool?" Today, I watched my float quietly slip underneath the surface, watched the hook set and the subsequent chrome "flash" of a Hatchery Steelhead.

She ripped, she jumped, she roared. Not sure if Steelhead actually "roar," but it sounded cool. This fight was interesting as no long run was taken, more of the sporadic quick 10' sprints followed by the classic series of headshakes. This hen fought valiantly in a half moon circle, making a quick ditch effort to the shore, running behind me into the boulders, through my legs (thank you flexibility and cardiovascular work) and threatened to saw my line off in the boulder field, always an excellent choice. After leading her our into the main current and more open water, I lightened my drag, threw a few "shocks" down the line and prepared for her final run.

Sure enough, she ran lighting fast for the rapids about 15 yards away, but didn't have enough strength for the trek. So off I hopped from my boulder, posted the butt of my rod tip into my right hip, made the swing (you get one shot) and water landed this striking, 6 pound Hatchery Steelhead Hen.

There's nothing quite like the sound of Pflueger Trion singing as line shoots off of the spool, a well bent ultra-light rod, sun shining overhead and an aggressive Steelhead on the other end of the line, especially on your day off. No training weight lifters, holding Muay Thai Pads, nor training anglers.

Ode to you, weekend warriors. The low and clear comes, and I dare you to come prepared to land more Steelhead this summer season than you ever have before. I dare you to procure rock solid angling confidence, so you can enjoy your days off on the water like I do, Reel Priorities style. Whatever it is you seek to find on the river, I will help you find it; never stop casting, and hit those seams hard, fellow anglers.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3XkkoBkuUU

Your success is my focus. Your wellbeing is my objective.

Rock to rock, Cast by cast.

Specializing in the Instruction of Advanced Salmon & Steelheading Techniques and Systematic Bank Fishing Tactics.

Official Digital Anglers Sponsor

ReelPriorities.com

theDrifter

7/1/2014 11:58:00 AM

Thank you for releasing that beautiful fish. Hatchery or not, she migrated to the sea - survived the predictors out there for a couple years, and then you caught her and she fought valiantly. What more could a steelhead fisherman ask for? Kill them just because they are hatchery? We don't have enough fish in the Sky to waste any brood-stock. Again - my compliments!

Reel Priorities

7/1/2014 12:19:00 PM

theDrifter, I receive your accolade. Likewise, I share a congruent mindset, and hold deep reverence for these magnificent creatures; other than the desires my clients may have of taking their first brace (limit of Steelhead), it doesn't strike a positive chord with me if I personally take them home. For me, I find it most gratifying to preserve a life, when having the full ability to take one. With each successive year of angling and guiding, I begin to scratch the surface of what the art of angling means, and how to become a better steward of our environment, right now, being the mighty banks of the Skykomish River. In the future, I look forward to standing toe to toe with you out on the water, my friend; tight lines, sharp hooks theDrifter.

Mike Carey

7/1/2014 1:28:00 PM

cool release shot. :-)

DjButler

7/1/2014 3:28:00 PM

Wow thanks for the video Ryan, that was awesome. I definately need some lessons

mizm05

7/1/2014 4:37:00 PM

If I had the spare money, I'd book with ya bud. I really suck at catching steelhead. LOL...keepin it reel.

Hepker

7/1/2014 7:21:00 PM

nice video! great display of patience. the play on your your rod makes me want to get a lighter setup.

Hendo84

7/1/2014 7:49:00 PM

love your reports, man.

Bank drifter

7/1/2014 8:20:00 PM

Love it bro, try tactics and get the fish. I would have been with the spoon! Great spot to fight a fish, keep em out of the bushes when you get em close-got one there two weeks ago!

oaksmithiii

7/1/2014 10:20:00 PM

Nice report ! Thanks for taking the time to make us part of it. I am going out on a limb here but I would have kept it to gave to my wife to cook. She loves fish more then anything and I want to bring one for her. She even loves pink salmon as long as they are shiny !
See you soon !

Reel Priorities

7/1/2014 11:01:00 PM

Guys, thank you for the positive feedback and support; there is nothing greater I could ask for as a professional guide, angler and writer. You are my inspiration, and I'm thankful that you're able to appreciate the river and share congruency of thought with me. Looking forward to seeing you on the water. Tight lines.

FishingTenor

7/1/2014 11:17:00 PM

Nice work Guru. This hatchery must have been classmates with the Steelies I caught last week. Same escape tactics of jump, run then shallow rock grinding. All to no avail against the mighty techniques and patience of a guru fisherman. I respect your desire to preserve the species. I chose to end the life of those I caught and have had the privilege to share an amazing meal with several others.
See you at the river. FishingTenor

Reel Priorities

7/1/2014 11:54:00 PM

Karr, it was a privilege watching you valiantly fight those Hatchery Steelhead, the Friday prior; these fish were bred for a specific purpose, and you helped fulfill just that. This season, my relationship with Steelhead has simply changed, Hatchery and Wild Steelhead alike. Never stop casting, my friend; I wish you all of the success in the world on the water.

BBlakley

7/3/2014 3:35:00 AM

Really enjoy reading your post for the last few seasons. I often wondered if you were a writer, you gave evidence of that in your latest posting. Don't stop with the wonderful entries. Its nice to see a fisherman conduct themselves so professionally with much respect for the fish. I had an experience where I tagged a steelhead last winter, I bled the fish holding it my hands. It was an emotional event for the fact I came to realize I just took the life of a creature that gives me pure happiness. Its not consumption of fish that I fish, but I truly love the sport, and the challenge and it defines me as a person. Hope to fish with you in the near future. Tight Lines!!!

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