Replies

That is a beauty/native steelhead!

Looks like a Spey Fly Rod behind the fisher! If I fished those waters, my 7 weight Spey rod would be left at home. Only my 10 and 9/10 rods would be with me.

Five years ago there was an incredible steelhead run on the American River in early January. The water was very high and where they were, we could not cast a fly rod. So I went up with my Steelhead Spinning Rod and cast hardware. I had the best day of my life. I caught and released 12 native steelheads from 8 to just under 12 pounds. I had at least 10 fish break off and just shred 12 pound test line.

I went back up two days later and one about the size in your picture struck and ran. I set the hook and just about lost my rod. My right should was so sore from the previous fishing, I had to pass my rod to the guy next to me. I would have lost the rod.

Hopefully this rain will send this year's fish back up but not until after Christmas.