A couple other WA Laker's and I decided to hit Reiter for one last time before it closes. We arrived at the Highway side before sunrise and fished our favorite hole.

After a couple of hours, I decided to work my way slowly down towards the rapids. I casted into a slow ripple and bobber down! I fought a small steelhead for a couple of minutes. I got it up near the bank and realized it was fairly small. Perhaps 20". It "self-released" when I tried to maneuver it around a submerged branch. I thought to myself... oh well, at least I caught something. It was dime bright, but probably deserved to come back next year.

I moved downstream about 100 yards above the rapids and cast into a soft seam when bobber down! This was definetly no midget. It boiled to the surface, shaking its head violently, where I got a look at it. It was a monster steelhead, by far the biggest one ever on the end of my line. It decided to make a run downstream for the rapids. My drag on my Curado was giving up line in large quantities, so I tightened it down several clicks. That didn't even slow this beast down. I panicked when I realized it was spooling me out, so I thumbed it down. Thankfully it came to a rest and I was able to turn it back towards me. I worked it in about 30 yards, when it boiled to the surface again. This monster shook and rolled again on the surface, allowing me a bit of time to get a look. A touch of color, but easily the biggest steelhead I have seen in person. At this point, my forearm and wrist are starting to feel the strength of this fish, but I had adrenaline on my side. I worked it for several more minutes, walked downstream in its direction and generally held on. The fish apparently had enough of this and made another huge run downstream. This time, it peeled off about 20 yards and bee-lined for a rock. It must have nicked my 30lb. Power Pro on a rock. Snap! fish gone!

I wish I could have landed this beast. My guess is that it was a Native. I've landed several of the hatchery brats and they just didn't fight like this. The fight in this fish was impressive and something I'll hopefully never forget. I wish I could somehow share my mental pictures of this experience. What a day!

As for the other WA Laker's - they both landed their fish.

blurock

2/12/2011 7:01:00 PM

Awesome report! And even though you didn't get the beast, the fight is the best part anyway, and you got to enjoy it for what sounds like a good chunk of time! Congrats!

kzoo

2/12/2011 7:06:00 PM

Sounds like your still jacked up from this morning!

Gringo Pescador

2/12/2011 8:29:00 PM

You we're still shaking when I got down to ya. You've put in your time, you deserved a good fight.

mav186

2/12/2011 9:27:00 PM

Great story Woody...some stories stay with us forever, as others blend together... I have a feeling this one will be sticking around!

MotoBoat

2/13/2011 8:58:00 AM

What an adrenaline rush !! Even thought this is the " one that got away" the battle that ensued was exciting to read. As disappointing as it may have been to not land that fish. Sometimes a battle like that......is the prize. I would definitely rather walk away with a story like that than a hatchery brat. Thanks for sharing Woody. Looks like a couple of WaLaker brothers were near by to witness your epic battle. What would you estimate the weight of the fish? From what I recall, during a visit many years ago, reiter is a boulder field under water. No telling how many your line came in contact with, but a very good chance it was far more than one. As for "wishing you could share the mental pictures"........... you just did!

MotoBoat

2/13/2011 9:00:00 AM

What an adrenaline rush !! Even thought this is the " one that got away" the battle that ensued was exciting to read. As disappointing as it may have been to not land that fish. Sometimes a battle like that......is the prize. I would definitely rather walk away with a story like that than a hatchery brat. Thanks for sharing Woody. Looks like a couple of WaLaker brothers were near by to witness your epic battle. What would you estimate the weight of the fish? From what I recall, during a visit many years ago, reiter is a boulder field under water. No telling how many your line came in contact with, but a very good chance it was far more than one. As for "wishing you could share the mental pictures"........... you just did!

MotoBoat

2/13/2011 9:03:00 AM

Had to try what Lewis said about refreshing after typing a comment. That does cause a copy of the comment to post. I feel as though I am repeating myself! Ha

Wood

2/13/2011 9:27:00 AM

Moto Boat: I've only been steelheading for a year, so I'm not good at guessing weights. The biggest steelhead I've seen was caught by others and they were around 13lbs. From 20-30 yards away, this fish appeared to be as thick as those, but longer. My guess: 15lbs +

yesler

2/13/2011 11:13:00 AM

Wow thanks for the story. I could feel the excitement and it felt like I was there with you.I believe your estimates of size. What really matters is what you believe.
Thanks again for sharing.

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