#3 on the spey.

[wfocharlie]

My third to hand and got it with my new rod.
If steelhead are the fish of a thousand casts then they are the fish of a million casts with spey rod.

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae116/wfocharlie/003-10.jpg

[Chedster]

Dang Charlie you're killing me here, what a chromer!

[Eastcostborn]

I gotta go spey fishing with you....I cant get one on the swing...

[Waco:]

That for sure is a definition of beauty!!! Nice job and in the swing ha?

[wfocharlie]

I gotta go spey fishing with you....I cant get one on the swing...

I'll bet I'm averaging 1 fish per 100 hours of swinging, so they don't come easy for me. I'm retired and fish a lot. Its just many many hours but I really enjoy casting so its a labor of love.

[spactrukn]

Not only is that a really nice fish Charlie but you are the master of the self pic as well. Tripod out in the water? great job and great post.

[Waco:]

Are you taking the pics by your self? Nobody behind that camera?

[lastcast]

I'll bet I'm averaging 1 fish per 100 hours of swinging, so they don't come easy for me. I'm retired and fish a lot. Its just many many hours but I really enjoy casting so its a labor of love.

wow, thanks for sharing the details. Makes the few that I get fall right in line with that. I don't get so many hrs out a month, maybe 16 so I know its maybe that and not my skills as much.

[wfocharlie]

I take most of my pics solo on the 10 sec timer, that one included. Thats why most of those "self portraits" are hatchery fish. Nearly impossible to get a photo like that with a fish that has to be released. By the way that is a $79 Kodak waterproof sport camera. It does a decent job.

I'm sure better spey fisherman don't need so many hours to find a fish but I think over time my fish per hours rate will go up.

[hamfish]

Very Nice fish Charlie! Your getting the hang of that thing!

[steelhead_stalkers]

I'll bet I'm averaging 1 fish per 100 hours of swinging, so they don't come easy for me. I'm retired and fish a lot. Its just many many hours but I really enjoy casting so its a labor of love.

They don't come easy because its not a very good way to catch them! :D Presentation is everything with steelhead as you know and nothing that a steelhead eats in a river is swinging across the river. :D Good job getting them on the swing though as its rare and takes a lot of patience.

[imfishing]

Greetings All.

Nice Fish Charlie. Keep It Up.

[Arctic]

Nice switch of feathers in that things grill Charlie! I dig! Sour fish man. Good work!
Your catch rates will go up once you start finding that productive water, and skip the mystery water. Theres a lot of that. Water that should hold giant, wild fish, but all you get is a trout, or skunk out of the drift! Hahahaha!


They don't come easy because its not a very good way to catch them! :D Presentation is everything with steelhead as you know and nothing that a steelhead eats in a river is swinging across the river. :D Good job getting them on the swing though as its rare and takes a lot of patience.

HA!
This is true. Swingin giant silhouettes is pretty much targeting a fish with a specific attitude. But the one's that do climb on are never dower. Partially because its on the two hand fur flinger, but mostly because of sheer "ruddy-ness" of said fish that eat a piece of fur blazin across the tailout! This is why you gotta love the anadromous Rainbows.

[wfocharlie]

I enjoy your posts Ian. I always get a smile out of them and I think everything you said is true. I fished with a spey guide today and I kept saying, "man that water looks good over there" and he would say, "it sure does but I never get any fish out of there". That must be that mystery water you are talking about.

[Arctic]

Thanks Charlie! I thoroughly enjoy yours too! Always inspiring, or informative sir. Always!

There is way too much of that type of water! 'Specially on the Sandy, Clack and a few coastal criks!

[Eastcostborn]

I'll bet I'm averaging 1 fish per 100 hours of swinging, so they don't come easy for me. I'm retired and fish a lot. Its just many many hours but I really enjoy casting so its a labor of love.

Well that's better than I've done. I have never got one and I am well over 500 hours.....at least......

[Arctic]

There are definetly other methods to weilding a two hand rod that will produce fish in the areas where you cant swing a bug, proper. Indicator rigs work well in almost every medium paced drift. Especially if you like to cast big lead eye leeches, or intruders. But after that many hours, somethings gotta give, or the simple fact is... The fish arent where you are casting. I have drifts like that. Where a fish should jump out from in front of that rock and absolutely cram my intruders! But... They dont! I hate that! Hahahaha! But give a guide a try if you ever find yourself with some extra cash... Otherwise give Rob @ Water Time Guide Service a call. He can at least give you the rundown of what works where, and how to get it to the fish.

[Gabe]

Charlie, keep sharing. I enjoy your stories/pictures and posts.

[wfocharlie]

Gabe I had one hit a black and blue leech today that I was swinging into a seam behind a rock and that thing got pounded so hard it rattled my teeth. It literally scared me. The fun only lasted 5 secs with giant head shakes and 13 ft rod corked. I wish I could have seen that fish. Its so dissappointing to loose a fish on a spey rod because they are so rare. When I loose one drifting I just figure I'll go get another one. Shortly after loosing that fish I fell into the water up to my neck and put a half gallon into my waders so it was time to go home.

[fisherman]

I am not going to argue that swinging flies is as productive as chucking gear but I think the statement that catching fish on the swing is rare is a bit off. I know some guys that get a fish or two every day on the water. They not only know where to be and when but they know how to fish the fly. If you get it dialed it is not rare. Yet yes if you want numbers and a easier time at it then grab a gear rod.

[Chedster]

I am not going to argue that swinging flies is as productive as chucking gear but I think the statement that catching fish on the swing is rare is a bit off. I know some guys that get a fish or two every day on the water. They not only know where to be and when but they know how to fish the fly. If you get it dialed it is not rare. Yet yes if you want numbers and a easier time at it then grab a gear rod.

I wouldn't take that comment to serious seeing it came from a gear chucker ;)

Charlie, how was fishing on Tuesday?

[hamfish]

Shortly after loosing that fish I fell into the water up to my neck and put a half gallon into my waders so it was time to go home.


You be careful out there young man!

[wfocharlie]

I am not going to argue that swinging flies is as productive as chucking gear but I think the statement that catching fish on the swing is rare is a bit off. I know some guys that get a fish or two every day on the water. They not only know where to be and when but they know how to fish the fly. If you get it dialed it is not rare. Yet yes if you want numbers and a easier time at it then grab a gear rod.

I guess what I should have said is rare for ME. Hopefully my success rate will improve over time and I can be surprised when I don't get a fish instead of surprised when I get one.

[wfocharlie]

You be careful out there young man!

Thank Ray. The water was only waist deep but I managed to get it up to my neck anyway when I fell.

[hamfish]

I've been there done that. I always carry extra dry clothes in my truck when I go to the coast. It is a long drive home.

[Eastcostborn]

I am not going to argue that swinging flies is as productive as chucking gear but I think the statement that catching fish on the swing is rare is a bit off. I know some guys that get a fish or two every day on the water. They not only know where to be and when but they know how to fish the fly. If you get it dialed it is not rare. Yet yes if you want numbers and a easier time at it then grab a gear rod.

can you put me in contact with some of these guys. I would like to talk to them.