The day started on another river in another state. A fast rising hydrograph made us question whether this was the place we should be fishing. As you other fishermen of anadromous fish know, once doubt sets it, move to option B.
Conditions were perfect with dropping water levels and consistent water temperature. Game on.
Into the second run, a fish slammed my bug mid swing and gave me a hell of a battle. It was a very, very nice buck that went into the early teens. They're aren't many fish bigger than this one in the whole realm of inland steelhead, so I was more than pleased as it swam away and the flask was passed around in celebration of good fortune.
The day continued with the swing and step routine from run to run and into the closing hour of the last piece of water. That's when OMR pulled the rabbit, or should I say whale out of his top hat.
The dude knows how to fight a fish, and this one kicked his ass. In seeing the initial hook up and watching my dad's face, I knew this was a big, big fish. Most of the time, you can get one of these summer runs in within 5 minutes, but this battle stretched all of 15 minutes and every time the fish wallowed or it's tail came up all we could say were things like
Holy Shit. F----K. Oh. My. God.
After 5-6 big runs and numerous short scraps, the fish of a lifetime came to hand
It was a miracle the fish was landed, the hook on the prom dress just fell out. Fell. Out.
A few pics and the massive buck went back on it's journey. All three of us sat there a bit stunned at what just happened. Bested by the best, with the best fish I have ever had the pleasure to see in person. So very wild and in perfect shape.
OMR reeled up and found a great sitting rock to enjoy the rest of the fading light. No point in casting again on this day, he found his fish of a lifetime.
Nice Millsy
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