1993 Snoqualmie at confluence to Tolt. I had been trying for years without a hit. It was clear and cold and of course my guides freeze up. I just casted when the reel birdsnested due to the frozen guides. The cast must have gone about 10 yards at the most and I just left the line in the water while I untangled the birdsnest. Next thing I know, I get this hard pull on the rod, I say, WTF? My friend 5 yards downriver says, "Fish On"!

I successfully bring it in and figured out that it wasn't a casting contest out there, the fish were lying in a slot 5 yards in front of me. I ended up getting two more fish and lost one that month and they weren't accidents but actually skill. I finally figured out how to catch a steelhead. The most amazing part was I caught all those fish with one rig, a red/yellow cheater with the same slinky!