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I arrived at the Hatchery a little before 5am like normal. My heart dropped when I seen a sled tied down right on my hole. I stood there in the cold for about 2 minutes staring at this boat in my honey hole, I almost turned around and went home. "I don't know how to fish with bobber and jig" I said in silence. I had every intention of drifting eggs, shrimp, using a plethora of spoons and spinners. The load in my backpack grew heavy when I decided to tough it out and fish with the masses.

I got in the mix right around daylight and my patience was thin with anglers casting on top of me, over me, tangling with me. Nah, this isn't for me today.

I decided to head a little downriver to get some freedom. I switched up a little bit and downsized my jig and used a smaller float. I really don't have much experience fishing this way so when my bobber went down, I just thought it was being dragged under by something other than a fish. I totally missed a fish! I recast and focused on my float. I was in disbelief watching my bobber being slowly pulled under. I set the hook and fish on! For the first time fishing and catching these fish, I was able to enjoy this fight because deep down I knew this fish wasn't coming off. These fish in my opinion are the best fighting fish I have ever caught.

About 10 minutes later, I cast and in disbelief again, my bobber goes down and another gorgeous chromer gives me a great battle. I was just loving it calling out, "Fish on! Fish on coming down and fish on coming up!" It was awesome. Normally I don't relish the attention, but today I was soaking it up. Woo hoo. I had to refrain the"MIke Iaconelli" in me and acted like I have done this a thousand times.

And to top the morning off, just for stuff and giggles, I threw on a different jig and landed another chromer. "He's got another one!" was called out in the combat line.

I am sure the knowledge that I have gained by reading and talking to other experienced anglers, I am ready for whatever conditions the river will present that day. 3 metalheads in one day....
Until next time....

Mike Carey

1/9/2010 9:50:00 PM

good for you Jens! A day not soon to be forgotten. :-)

Anonymous

1/9/2010 9:54:00 PM

nice.. seems like the lewis is pretty productive i am planning a weekend trip down there soon, if you have any suggestions on where to go shoot me a message. looks like you got a chance to experience success with a method unfamiliar to yourself, great job dude. i too have recently taken on new methods of fishing, but not with the results you got. until next time

deezy38

1/9/2010 10:18:00 PM

very nice sounds like an awsome day on the river congrats bro. Where abouts is the hatchery on the lewis im not familiar with the area in information would be much appreciated. Good luck on any futer ventures and tight lines!!!!

flinginpooh

1/9/2010 10:29:00 PM

Nice way better then my day. We gotta hook up for some hookups soon.

Jacob Tieszen

1/9/2010 10:53:00 PM

u have caughten i think 5 metalheads before i have had a chance to go out and try. How deep was ur jig from your bobber

Big Smooth

1/10/2010 1:18:00 AM

I am bowing to you right now....... I'm also asking and kicking myself for not heading down like I wanted to.


Good job man!

Nelly1

1/10/2010 2:37:00 AM

Nice, thanks for the report. Nothing like seeing your float go under. Like you, I thought I snagged up the first time I saw mine go under, but it was in a chrome bright chums mouth instead. Your stories paint a picture of your whole trip, its great.

Toni

1/10/2010 5:28:00 AM

Excellent report and great fish! It is good when you can change your plans and be rewarded.

afk

1/10/2010 9:00:00 AM

Oh ya, looks like 2010 is off to a great start. Great story of being able to adapt to the conditions given to you. Thanks

goodtimesfishing

1/10/2010 2:51:00 PM

great report-sometimes being forced out of your honey hole can force you to find even better honey holes.

Jay7

1/10/2010 3:27:00 PM

Fantastic!!! Your off and running... Great Job and keep it up. Sure do enjoy the reports!! Thanks....

donman

1/10/2010 4:20:00 PM

You da man Pare! keep it up!

dylanE

1/10/2010 4:29:00 PM

hell yeah buddy i went to the east fork and the wind this weekend and never killed a fish this weekend. im kicking myslf for not taking a trip up to the hatchery cause i knew it was gonna be great im going up next weekend hopefully i meet/see you up there man. congrats and keep up the great year.

mav186

1/10/2010 5:52:00 PM

Jens...you are a perfect example of someone who has gone from rookie status, to experienced in 1 season! You have been an inspiration to many and I always look forward to your reports!

CRANDALL

1/10/2010 6:25:00 PM

Killer day and you have learned the most important part of Steelheading adapting to the conditions and stepping out of the box,good job.........

jens

1/10/2010 7:37:00 PM

Thank you all for the comments, I came oh so close to packing it up and heading home when I seen that boat tied down in my hole. I wanted to tell him how far I drove and how much money I spent just to come down there..lol-
But like "goodtimesfishing" said, it forced me out of my honey hole only to find another!! and using a technique I've been dying to try but didn't have any confidence in using. I do now, it's awesome. Watching that bobber go under is incredible.

DoubleR

1/10/2010 8:22:00 PM

Congratulations! Nice fishies! I know what you mean about the crowd fishing in front of the hatchery - I went down there a coujple weeks ago - just didnt get the result you did when I moved down river. We cedar-plank bbq'ed my first steelhead last week. They taste wonderful - like mild, firm, salmon.

Anonymous

1/11/2010 5:09:00 PM

hey jens do you know if there are restrictions on the lewis as far as night fishing goes??

mikel

1/12/2010 10:25:00 AM

looks like the fishing is pretty good down there, too bad i dont have a truck so i'm stuck fishin the green and puyallup with little luck

goin_postal

1/13/2010 8:47:00 PM

nice fish man let go to the bogy this weekend

howardi211

1/14/2010 1:18:00 PM

Congrats on another great catch jens. I have yet to put in my dues and catch mine. Its always great reading your detailed reports. Since I don't have much time fishing these days, I almost feel like i'm fishing through you.

spliff721

1/21/2010 8:29:00 PM

way to go bud. i gave up the steely hunt a few weeks ago and am focusing on trout. been doing pretty good on flowing lake. but your story here may just be enough to get me back out on the river.

salmonslayer117

1/23/2010 10:12:00 PM

Nicely done jens! Way to show the combat guys how it's really done! I had that happen to me a few times this year where there's a sled parked in my hole. I even lost a beautiful silver in one of the driftnets the indians were runnin on the puyallup. I tried as hard as i could to keep him out of it but he wasn't havin' it. Anyways, nice job bro! Keep it up!

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