Today was the first day since mid October or so that I have banked it at all. Deer and Elk took up my entire fall and I'm just now getting back into the "swing" of things. The work day was a long one today as I nervously watched the USGS site for a drop. On my lunch break the decision was made to make a high speed burn up to the river after work.

I got up to my spot only to find a few rigs there. Cursing to myself as I suited up I was hoping they weren't in any of my holes. As luck would have it my main meat hole was packed with f uck heads so I pressed on up river to get away from the combat and seek out what I came for...Steelhead and peace.

Well, I found both of those things. The water couldn't have been any more perfect. I've actually rarely seen the river look this good. to put it in perspective it had a Hoh like color to it...ya, it was that dialed in.

I pounded one of my spoon holes with every spoon finish in the box to no avail. Then ran some jigs through it just to make sure. After about an hour I made it down to a hole I've always wanted to hook a fish in. Basically this hole is a wide flat spot in the river full of good sized boulders and the spoons thump sooooo good in there. I ran a jig through it a few times and then grabbed the spoon rod. A few swings in and I was dialed in. You know when everything just clicks and you can feel and see that spoon thumping away through your rod tip, and you just know that you're about to hook a fish? I hooked a chrome hen about mid swing through the hole and the fight was on. It was mostly a typical hatchery winter run fight but she did surprise me with a long hard run right off the bat and a couple jumps.

As I was playing the fish I took some time to look at my surroundings and fully take in the beauty or where I was. It was nice not having to yell "FISH ON" as I was all alone and was able to quietly play the fish and fully absorb the quality moment. Over the past year or so I've enjoyed solo trips to the river more and more. Sure I like fishing with buddies but sometimes I just need some me time up there.

On with the pics.

1/2 ounce Rvrfshr did the trick.


Did I say she was chrome?


I love this!


Tweaker insurance...A tribute to BigStick.

Nice! Good job beating the crowd.

F uck heads! How dare they be fishing your meat hole.

Very nice, Drew!

Fish on...

Todd

Thanks. At the risk of sounding full of myself, a well fished spoon tends to beat the crowds.

Most of my favorite moments have come on solo trips. There is nothing like the peace of swinging an offering through some chewy looking water, taking it all in, and then having all hell break loose. YEAH! Nice fish, caught in one of the most satisfying ways.

But man, you don't have to shoot 'em! A little wood shampoo will suffice.

I think I know where he parked, and I probably would have had my piece too

Well done on the getting a last shot at the river before it closes, and a perfect chromer to bring home

A well fished spoon will beat the crowds, but you can't beat a well fished spoon in solitude.

Nice report and sounds like the best of days!

I love the solo fishing at times as well,

Nice!

Paint the protection pink.

Nice!!!! Very well written and the pictures were well done.

A 2-thumber for sure.

It's nice to see the posts that include the joy of solitude and appreciation for the quiet sport. Very nice!

That would certainly be more BigStick status. forgot to put the knife in the pic too.

Nice fish!
Is that the 40s&w xdm3.8 ?
that's also my daily carry, love it.
Thanks for sharing,


Tyler

Yes. It's the Springfield XDM .40 compact. 3.8" barrel. I always carry with the 16 round extended mag too cause it just screams confidence. Haha. I use a black hawk shoulder holster for fishing and I just picked up a bladetech in the waist band holster the other day.

haha. I've hooked a few this year on spoons where the hook went through the roof of the mouth and out the eye. with jigs the hook tends to be planted right through the snout.

Drew,

When you wrote that you were cursing to yourself at finding all those f heads in your meat hole, I laughed and thought that those f heads were probably muttering to themselves, "what's this f head doing coming into my meat hole?" It's easy to forget that the river belongs to all the f heads, who collectively obstruct the peace and tranquility that all the other f heads come in search of.

Sg

If you want peace and quiet, the advertising won't help your cause.

Nice late-season fish though.

Aaron,

I know this. notice there's no background in the pics nor any mention of where I was. There's a number of streams that I fish that are a short drive from work. Also, the forums have been pretty dry of porn for a while...and now that is changed.

lol