My biggest steelhead ever!

Osprey and I went fishing on the Quinault today with Levi Sandstrom today, what a blast.
We started the day off with a nice big cuttie, then a big dolly, both on jigs.

Osprey switched over to a method known informally as Bobber doggin' or Float doggin'. He hooked a nice hen, about 19lbs, then another at about 10lbs, while I was busy trying to tie up a Bobber doggin' rig. Whew, I finally got mine tied up in time to hook a nice little 10lb hen.

We hit a piece of water I thought looked like a great spot for a jig and float. I said, "I think we need something to warm things up a bit", and about 20 seconds later this hit.

It was 39"x23.5", but I still can't believe the weight per Bob's calculator, 26.6lbs. What a hog! (BTW, I am a 200lb guy NOT using the Jim Teeney reach, and we had to boat the fish because the shoreline in the background wouldn't allow for a shore landing)

Here is what it did to my jig.

That is a 1/8th oz jig I poured and tied on a #4 hook. 12# test mainline, 10# leader on my new All Star 1263 and Abu Garcia Torno 3004 HSI reel.

We got one other nice photo today, here is a shot of Osprey with a nice dolly that fell to a bobber doggin' rig.


That bobber doggin' is deadly. Five of the 6 steelhead we caught we on the BD rig, as well as one dolly. Four other fish were caught on the jig pattern in the photo.

It was a great day, with great company, and Levi was a great guide. Levi has good equipment, controls his boat well, is able to adjust to your methods, and has a good sense of humor. I would give him a
for his knowledge and ability. If you need his number, let me know.

Andy

What's up with the hat?

It is a size referrence to the fish, and to the bait. The jig is 1.25" long, the logo is 4" long, so you can double check my measurement on the fish. Bob and Marty run great sites, so no ill intent was meant, and I am sure Bob appreciates the post, photo, and size referrences to the fish.

But, if you were wonder where to get, well.....

It just goes to show that little baits can hook BIG fish.

Nice fish! I was beginging to wonder if big fish hit jigs and your fish and a friend's buckasaurous I saw this weekend answers that. Good job.

Dude,
Your fish is bigger. I came up with ~ 27.8 lbs

Dogfish - We call that Flydoggin'. Superfly put me on to that technique 2 years ago.

Absolutely deadly.

That comes out to a 27.79 pound fish.

Nice toad. What's that white stuff on your jacket? Hey the fish is now 27.7 pounds....27.6 pounds....

The lower part is not even in the reg. Does the Quinault reservation set the rules for that section? Based on Andy's post, it sounds like CNR.

Also the walk-in trips are almost as much as the boats Has anyone ever tried that?

Congrats Andy ... looks like you need some beefier hooks though :p

STIHLHEAD - Yes, the Quinaults set their own regulations on the lower Quinault. No, it's not C&R, unless you choose to let something go. It's more like bonk whatever you feel like. You need a tribal guide to fish that section of water.

The walk-in trips are to the smaller tribal streams like the Salmon and Cook Creek. They are usually in Nov-Jan, and are usually a pretty good day on the river. Double digit days are the norm for walk-in trips. It's a hatchery brat fest for the walk-ins.

Congrats on the fish Andy,you handled him like a pro.
Must have been the great Net job
There was no way we were landing that bruiser on shore.
That little Jig did it's job...
Now you have a Jig to add to the Wall of Fame......Os

Thanks parker.

I bought some jigs from cabela's and they all got chipped after a few use. They also bend so easily. I used the wife's nail polish for touch ups and she got so I bought my own collection of cheap nail polish from Fred Myer She borrowed one of them once and it was my turn to get