By Tracey John Hittel

The moon is full and the Easter bunny is just around the corner and our first client of the season Fred Baldwin is after his very first Steelhead on the fly.  We decide to walk in to a private pool called the "Cardiac Pool", for good reason.  Once we arrive at the lower canyon the water is in fine shape and a nice slow pool is formed from the large boulder structures above.  I waste no time in directing Fred into the prime spot.  We know the pool has been untouched for days which is so important as we are targeting these fine Steelhead with a fly.

Fred pulls out his first weapon of choice - an Egg Sucking Leech he tied himself the nite before.  He makes a cast, swings his fly, fish on! Wow it looks like a strong fish, we bring it to shore and a pink spotted Dolly Varden says hello and goodbye.  We look each other in the eye and smile, as the first hook up is sweet.  Its funny how we target Steelhead and a good pull from a large Dolly can get you excited as if it's the real deal.

The water temperature is 41F the ice is still hanging from overlying branches still shaded from the early morning.  The morning is silent and we are alone, except for a large bald eagle perched above. Fred makes his way down the run and at the top of the tail out he is rewarded with a strong pull, "it's a Steelhead, he yells", it does not take a lot to recognize the difference from a Steelhead tug to others.  Fred's reel screams as the fish heads down towards the rapids, "I am running out of line, what should I do?" I curse under my breath, as I know that Fred has little backing on his Orvis reel and Rio fly line.  Fred starts walking downstream toward the fast water, his first mistake.  Fred, I suggest you walk upstream with that Steelhead, if he gets into the fast water your finished.  He looks back at me and nods his head.  He makes a few steps up, then another few.  "Ok I think he is coming upstream," he says.  The battle is lasting 20 minutes, "I am not in control of this at all he states," and this fish is tough. Finally he gets it close to shore and the dorsal fin and tail has surfaced, what a fish! Fred cannot control his excitement; his adrenaline is flowing like the river.  As the fish comes closer you can see it nose to the bottom of the river trying to dislodge the fly in its mouth.  This Steelhead is tired, so is Fred and we digitize the moment, take measurements and off she goes, a fresh up streamer ready for the spring spawn.  The measure came in as a 35" length and 18" girth, giving it a weight of 15.12lbs, very respectable for a first timer and a gorgeous female, very fresh and clean.

Fred yells out a yahoo that echoes throughout the canyon, we high five and Fred takes a small break on the mossy covered boulders littered along the shoreline, he has succeeded.

Next week our repeat client Bob Budd will be with us at Upper Kalum for some hot action on the Spey rod, stay tuned, tight lines.

Tracey John Hittel
www.steelheadheaven.ca
Kitiimat BC Canada
250 632-9880
250 639-4277

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