My first steelhead was caught on th Duckabush River on Hood Canal back in the early 60's. I was just a little kid and my dad was wiring a house for some retired family friends on the Canal. The house was located near Jorsted Creek. I would go up with him on the weekends and he would drop me off on the Duckabush just up from 101 and he would go back to work on the house and then come back and pick me up in the early afternoon. I went a few times with nothing but I did hook a couple and not set the hook because I couldn't recognize the bite. One Saturday , I hiked up the river to a small pool and landed and 8 lb. and a 5 lb. for my two fish limit. My first steelhead(s). I hiked back down tho where my dad would pick me up and had to wait for a while. I was the happiest kid ever. When my dad came I had the fish laying on the ground and he saw them as he drove up. I think he was more excited than I was.I have been hooked on steelhead ever since. Enjoyed many trips with my dad as I got older. Great memories. Back in those day almost all the rivers and small streams were planted with steelhead
Used a Shakespeare 2062 NL-2 spinning reel (Still have the reel) with a old 8 ft. Wright McGill "steelie" spinning rod. Eggs and a piece of orange or red yarn. 10 lb line and 8 lb leader. Later we fished with Okie Drifters especially the "nail polish" color. I sure miis those days. Memories forever.