Two Handers on the Klickitat August 9th

A re-post from the Dirty Water Blog on regarding the 2nd annual 2 Hander Day August 9th on the Klickitat------

This free gathering is for those who would like to learn not only how to cast the two hander better and further, but also how to fish it!

11AM - 12PM CHECK IN at Leidl Access on the Klickitat - Directions to Leidl - After crossing the bridge...Leidl campground is on both sides of the highway... Take a left to enter the west side campground and follow the sign down river...

Class topics to most likely include but not limited to...

-> Demystifying the variety of two hand lines
-> Beginner two hand casting
-> Intermediate/advanced two hand casting
-> Getting more distance
-> Fishing the fly, hooking and fighting fish
-> Single hand spey casting
-> Up against the trees
-> Combining casts to optimize efficiency
-> Long Belly Casting vs Underhand Casting
-> Overhead Casting with the Two Hander

Schedule of Events

-> 12-4:30 PM free classes and free riverside barbecue
-> 4:30 - 6:30 Open time
-> 6:30 - 8:30 Free Barbecue and Catch Mag viewing at The Steelhead Ranch
-> At Dark at The Steelhead Ranch - A Special Outside and Under the Stars Presentation of and by Catch Magazine.

Product lines represented by Echo, Redington, Sage, Rio, Airflo, Hardy/Greys, Vision and more to come.

Speakers; Brian Chou, Brian Styskal, Eric Neufeld, Ben Dow, Jack Mitchell, Steelie Mike, Trey Combs. Jeff Cottrell.

Steelhead Staredown...

Nothing like landing a fish with Labs putting their two cents in.

But really, we wouldn't have it any other way

Pate Williams survey's the hatchery buck that has since found it's way into the brine, destined  for the smoker.

#swingstepbonk

Oh Crap, I Caught One...

Maybe it would have been better to not catch one so darn early this year.  Setting the expectation of catching a white unicorn from here on out is going to be rough.

The Clearwater has done this to me before.  I went 5 days between action the last time I caught a fish so early.

Bye bye trout gear, see you in the spring.  I've had a great time with the tiny bugs but it's time to dive into that time of year.   Dryline time on the big river is as special as it gets.

While not the biggest steelhead ever, she was as perfect of a wild specimen as I've seen and gave a pretty nice battle for a fish it's size.

As she swam away, the guys I was fishing with looked at me and in unison, asked how that felt?

"Awesome"

It's the best way to describe the first steelhead of the 2013 season

Photo credit to the guy who puts out this awesome online mag for swanging flies.

Big River Swing Ups...

Today was a gift.  A winter day solo mission to The Big River.  By myself.  

Tired and happy.  That's what I am now.  Expect a full write up soon.  

As a bit of foreshadowing, let's just say there's hatchery fish marinating for dinner tomorrow.

If You Swing, It Will Tug...

A big congratulations to Fly Fishing Degenerate Council Member BJ on his recent success on The Big Water.    A hell of a way to get on the board with your first swung fish, on a fly he tied himself. 

BJ is a hell of an angler, but fall pulls him in multiple directions with hunting and dock dogs, where one of his retrievers is nationally ranked.  Finally he was able to uncase his spey rod and chuck some bugs.

Not bad at all, not bad at all.