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Well, my personal slump for steeelhead continues, but at least one person in our group got a fish today. We hit Blue Creek and started fishing by 8am. Today's plan was to drift from BC down to Mission Bar. Nate and myslef in my pontoon, Gringo Pescador in his, and our shorebound shuttle guy was Dave (djw0414). I will admit, I was questioning my sanity at the park and ride as the wind blew hard and steady around us. It was the same at Blue Creek, and as expected the water was up. 10,000 cfs, which is mucher higher than the 7,500 we fished the last time out there. I will say, the water color and clarity was great - good 2-3 ft visability, nice green hue.

We had a plan, which was to put in and drift just a little ways, beach the toons and fish the upper hole from shore. A good plan actually, and Dave reported in with the first fish in short order, and a couple other bankies had success as well. So we fished our spot for about an hour or so, and having no luck, decied to drift down a bit and do the same thing. Unfortunately, the spot I had in mind proved to be too fast to anchor in and we ended up shotting past it as we headed toward the old Blue Creek hole. We fished one nice take out which proved to be too difficult to get a nice drfit at, and then moved to the main attraction.

Last time we were out we fished on the island across from the old Blue Creek hole that I have seen so many fish caught over the years. And last time I hooked one only to lose it. This time, the island was almost entirely under water except for the end of it. That said, it was still very fishable and very good looking water. Plus, the bankies couldn't reach the spot D/T the high water. In short, I thought we had the perfect situation - a prime piece of very fishy water with proven success, all to our selves!

Nate, Gringo, and I spent the next two hours pounding the water with a variety of gear and approaches. Between the three of us I know we have enough experience to be able to say we know what we're doing! Well, no fish. It was painful. By around 11:30 we'd felt like we hit it hard enough to move on.

In retrospect, I wish we had fished it another two hours because the rest of the drift to the take out was difficult, if not impossible for the pontoon operators to fish. I pretty much left my toon on track to give Nate a shot at getting a fish, but it was not to be. The river was moving way too fast to feel very confident with our presentations, and by now the wind was getting pretty uncomfortable with the rain coming down heavier. In short, it was miserable, even for steelheading. To top it off my right leg was soaked from a leaking wader, ugh. On a side note, since we got done early I stopped by Cabelas on the way home and bought new waders. It's hard to be motivated with cold water in your wading boots!

So one fish for all of us. Report from Dave was about a half dozen fish for the bankies and one guide that caught about the same. I guide that we met at the takeout was skunked with his clients. I'd say the B-run is there, not red-hot but fish to be had if you work at it. So good luck if you head down there and may the weather gods be with you!

BTW, please be careful if you do fish the old Blue Creek hole. There is a big fir at the top of the hill that looks like it could come down anytime.

Gringo Pescador

3/13/2012 7:23:00 AM

Now don't get me wrong, I wasn't at work, I was fishing. Plus I was fishing with friends, so I had a great day - that is a given. But you know the carnival ride where you sit in those big tea cups and you have the wheel in the middle to spin yourself while the whole thing goes in circles? Imagine you are in one of those.. in pouring rain.. now add to that image tieing leaders, baiting hooks, casting, mending lines and rowing away from banks & sweeper trees... my shoulders are so sore this morning I could hardly put my coat on..

bob johansen

3/13/2012 7:36:00 AM

These kind of steelhead fishing trips sounded like fun to me 20 years ago - but alas, bass fishing on a calm, 70 degree day sounds much better now. I must be getting old.

Mike Carey

3/13/2012 9:01:00 AM

That's why I'm getting these trips done now. :-) Mark, that was a very good analogy. Once we left the island it just felt like there were no really easily fished, defined areas.

djw0414

3/13/2012 10:06:00 AM

I drew the lucky straw by being the designated bank fisherman. When the worst of the weather came in I sat in Mike's truck and warmed up until I could hit it again. Not an option in a pontoon. Great day for me and even better catching up with Gringo Pescador who I worked with in my previous life. And it was nice meeting NateTreat who had some great local knowledge and fishing stories. Hope to do it again soon.

MotoBoat

3/13/2012 2:08:00 PM

Gringo, it is unfortunate that the soreness your feeling, isn't from catching a bunch of B run. On the bright side, djw got a fish, and Mike caught a new pair of waders! That's something.

Gringo Pescador

3/13/2012 3:07:00 PM

Yeah, and I learned something else NOT to do (Cowlitz at 10,000 cfs and 40 mph winds - don't do it)... If we can't get Mike on a steelhead soon I am going to start up a collection to take him to a U-fish pond just to get his confidence back. ;)

OFFDAAHOOK

3/13/2012 7:41:00 PM

damm sounds like a ruff day cant dog you guys for tryen...hope next time it will be on fire for you guys and thanks for the report

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