Got this chrome cookie cutter hen today. After fishing one of my favorite holes (which has not been producing like past years) for an hour and a half or so i decided to move. The river is so low you can almost bank fish from anywhere now, and there is a spot downriver where i see boats hook fish all of the time. I know steelhead like broken water for protection when the water is low, and rapids are a good bet. Waded out onto a little grass island and on about the 5th cast hooked her in the rapids on just a corkie drift fishing, my favorite! I had yarn but took it OFF for a smaller presentation, like Brandon says "ahh corkies, the original bead". I hate to say it but i get bored watching the bobber float all day, drift fishing feels so much more connected and you are much more in tune with the bite and just the fishing experience altogether (in my opinion).
Anyway, hooked her and realized i was 10 feet from the bank with branches and bushes behind me and no net. It was quite a fight, and probably hilarious to see me try to land her. After seeing i had a great hookset and she was a hatchery, i figured i'd tire her out and tail her which i have had success with before. This fish wanted none of that, every time i tried she shot OFF again, plus i had no gloves so it is even harder. Eventually she tired out enough that i got her close and just grabbed her by the gill. Was very pleased to see her eggs tight in the skiens, and the meat was a beautiful orange color. Never know with those winter hens. A great experience today!