Lateral Line Media

The Columbia River winds it way from Canada throught the State of Washington and eventually reaches the Pacific Ocean in Oregon. The many rivers flow into this massive body of water often get runs of Salmon and Steelhead in the fall. Anglers lucky enough to visit these fisheries can have amazing experiences one of which can be catching Steelhead on Skated Dry Flies. Well….my father and I did not get to see a skated dry but we did share a great experience with Jeff Brazda on an Upper Columbia Tributary. This was my fathers first Steelhead trip out west and I figured what better way to introduce him to the area than with “The Braz.” I met Jeff a few Steelhead seasons ago and since then have fished with him in Central Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula and even in Montana. He is one of if not the best guides/fly fishermen I have ever fished with and I highly recommend him to anyone.

So here I am picking my father up at SEATAC airport gettting ready to drive 4 hours to our destination. After about three laps in the terminal I realize that trusty old Continental Airlines is late. I drove to angle lake and practiced my cast until I got the call. “I’m here”

Eager to get there and bust out the new spey rod we raced through the city, into the mountains, over passes, into grocery stores, tackle shops and eventually to the lodge. Damn not enought light left to fish.

The water was low…real low. Lower than last time I was there but what did I know I had only spent a week there last year so it is still all green to me. We met Jeff at his camp site and made a plan over a few Rainers. Of course when we woke up the mercury had dropped into the 20’s and there was a sudden change in plans. After dropping the boat in and doing wind sprints on the river bank to warm up we started swing a run about 100 yards above the launch. My dad had a good tug in some heavy water but I think his frozen southern blood could react.

we hopped in the new green bus which we collectively named the “ECO bus” and made our way down river. There were Steelhead hooked but not landed for the first few miles. We did manage a few beautiful Cutthroat Trout. But those dam Steelhead were biting like a trout on a size 32 midge.

At the end of day one I managed to hook and land a Native Steelheaad at the launch which came in like a wet towel. I think that poor bastard must have been caught half a dozen times before I showed up. But overall a killer day on the river. it felt good to be back fishing for Steelhead.
The Next day we did more of the same swung some bugs early in the morning with no tugs but we F’d them up on the float. It was actually kinda dirty. Between the three of us we netted about a dozen Steelies most of which were KONKERS so we filled the smoker. Outstanding for less than ideal conditions. Day three was more of the same except I got a fish on the swing and lost another. It is so cool feeling that tug. I was so happy I shouted and gave Braz a hgih five.. My dad had the hot stick that day and caught a bunch of wild fish. No Blood in the boat that day. It was a great trip, My dad learned how to spey cast and swing a fly which I think was frusturating for him at first but then he enjoyed the hell out of it. I got some tugs and landed a one on the “spray pole” and collectively we put a hurt on them with the nymph sticks. Thanks for the great trip boys I’ll see ya on the coast.