Great stories all. My first two steelhead were caught in late 1963 on the North Fork of the Stillaguamish at the upper end of what was Steelhead Haven while fishing with three high school friends who were old enough to drive. One of them, Ron Wilson, went on to guide for a number of years. Choice was spinning gear including a Mitchell 300 and hammered brass spoons (Ace as I recall). I can still recall the looks on their faces when they turned around and saw a fish in each of my hands - only fish of the day for the group. That spot is now covered by the landslide but the memory is still fresh after a bunch of years.

Edit: Another member of that foursome was Phil Lund who seems to still be actively guiding with emphasis on the fly guys on the Methow.