F
FishFinger
0
Got the opportunity to join Osmosis for a summer steelhead run on the Columbia yesterday. With 8,000+ summers going over Bonneville daily, who could pass on an offer like that?
And "OFF" we went........
We went 6 for 7 to the boat w/ two keepers by days end.
We got on the water at around 8:00 am and opted to try a little side drifting to begin the adventure, as Osmo marked large pods of fish below us. The east wind hampered the SD action, but thankfully, as the day wore on; the wind became our air conditioning....
Over all it was a fantastic day. The bites came with fair regularity and often in the forms of quite violent hits. When on anchor I was given the choice of what gear to swim. My initial choice was a sharp looking clamshell I was sure would draw blood. Osmo went with a spin & glow dressed with a beautifully cured cooner. The first fish went to Osmo in the form of a super bright native weighing in around 12 lbs. Playin’ my Gilligan role I did not fail to correctly net the brute...
After the fight, the fish was exhausted and I got to witness Osmo's skill and patience in the revival process. I was amazed to listen and learn his understanding of the effects the stress of the fight to the fish and the visual cues when you know what to look for. The eye position is a "dead" give away of the potential "brain damage" I watched in utter amazement as it recovered while closely observing it eyes return to their functional positions prior to it bolting off. For The balance of the day, I felt more aware of trying to limit the damage I would do during the fight; as we were hooking natives 2 to 1.
After changing up my gear to that of Osmos.. The action on both rods improved. Almost as scripted, the hits alternatated from one rod to the next.
The third fish as our first hatchery fin clip @ about 8 lbs.
The next hit was so out of control it was hard to believe what we were seeing. The strike buried the rod tip to the water and instantly the reel was spooled of over 100 yards of line. After the second of shock Osmo proclaimed, "you got a pig on..." Yeah it was either a pig, or sturgeon of even a log.. Or something unusual.
Osmo and I reached the rod holder at the same time. As I took it in hand he managed to pull enough slack to allow the spool to grab and take up the line. As fast as the reel emptied, I found myself screaming to take up the line as this "creature" turned and headed back towards us. My heart was racing at the notion of attempting to land a Hog on fairly light gear for the task. I even though about handing off before things got out of control. Almost as suddenly as it stated the action became that of a "standard" native steelhead fight. Sure enough, the monster had been merely a 12 lb summer hell bent on returning to the ocean. No the drag was not loose in case anyone was thinkin'... It was just another first for me. Seeing a steelhead spool a reel in nothing flat.
It really didn’t mater what spin & glow we used, the Ted Bundy, the Jeffery Dalhmer, the Diane Downs, the John Wayne Gacey with hemorrhoids, it made no difference… they all felling to one group; Uni bomber… Cause at some point they all exploded…
Thank you Osmosis for a day, it was a blast, and it was great to shake the bad juju that had followed me on your boat all spring.
I am proud to announce.. Smell my finger… It again smells like fish.. Not skunk….
And "OFF" we went........
We went 6 for 7 to the boat w/ two keepers by days end.
We got on the water at around 8:00 am and opted to try a little side drifting to begin the adventure, as Osmo marked large pods of fish below us. The east wind hampered the SD action, but thankfully, as the day wore on; the wind became our air conditioning....
Over all it was a fantastic day. The bites came with fair regularity and often in the forms of quite violent hits. When on anchor I was given the choice of what gear to swim. My initial choice was a sharp looking clamshell I was sure would draw blood. Osmo went with a spin & glow dressed with a beautifully cured cooner. The first fish went to Osmo in the form of a super bright native weighing in around 12 lbs. Playin’ my Gilligan role I did not fail to correctly net the brute...
After the fight, the fish was exhausted and I got to witness Osmo's skill and patience in the revival process. I was amazed to listen and learn his understanding of the effects the stress of the fight to the fish and the visual cues when you know what to look for. The eye position is a "dead" give away of the potential "brain damage" I watched in utter amazement as it recovered while closely observing it eyes return to their functional positions prior to it bolting off. For The balance of the day, I felt more aware of trying to limit the damage I would do during the fight; as we were hooking natives 2 to 1.
After changing up my gear to that of Osmos.. The action on both rods improved. Almost as scripted, the hits alternatated from one rod to the next.
The third fish as our first hatchery fin clip @ about 8 lbs.
The next hit was so out of control it was hard to believe what we were seeing. The strike buried the rod tip to the water and instantly the reel was spooled of over 100 yards of line. After the second of shock Osmo proclaimed, "you got a pig on..." Yeah it was either a pig, or sturgeon of even a log.. Or something unusual.
Osmo and I reached the rod holder at the same time. As I took it in hand he managed to pull enough slack to allow the spool to grab and take up the line. As fast as the reel emptied, I found myself screaming to take up the line as this "creature" turned and headed back towards us. My heart was racing at the notion of attempting to land a Hog on fairly light gear for the task. I even though about handing off before things got out of control. Almost as suddenly as it stated the action became that of a "standard" native steelhead fight. Sure enough, the monster had been merely a 12 lb summer hell bent on returning to the ocean. No the drag was not loose in case anyone was thinkin'... It was just another first for me. Seeing a steelhead spool a reel in nothing flat.
It really didn’t mater what spin & glow we used, the Ted Bundy, the Jeffery Dalhmer, the Diane Downs, the John Wayne Gacey with hemorrhoids, it made no difference… they all felling to one group; Uni bomber… Cause at some point they all exploded…
Thank you Osmosis for a day, it was a blast, and it was great to shake the bad juju that had followed me on your boat all spring.
I am proud to announce.. Smell my finger… It again smells like fish.. Not skunk….
Last edited:
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:think:
That's the third time 
ray:
