This is my first season steelheading and I've been out at it with no luck every weekend and the occassional weekday since November. Wednesday I finally got my first fish and it was a beaut.

We were out with guide Rod Bush floating the Sauk from high bridge down to the Skagit. We were about halfway through our first hole backbouncing tadpollys when my rod doubled over. I grabbed it and got the hook set good when he started back for the ocean. We got him turned and rowed over to a gravel bar where I jumped out and worked him in. The guide estimated him to be about 19lbs. An amazing looking fish. Still very bright and full of piss. We got some pics and sent him on his way.

Later I got a 13lb hen that was chrome bright and put up a hell of a fight with several jumps and good runs. Every time we got her into shallow water she'd turn and bolt back out. More pics and she was gone.

The water was a little milky when we started but was clear on the edges. By the time we drove back up to the putin, it was looking perfect. Today should be fantastic up there.

Those two fish may cost me a bundle. I'm thinking I really need a boat.

B. Gray

[This message has been edited by B. Gray (edited 03-18-99).]