Fishing in the Northwest

by Steve Egner 21 Replies latest social physical

  • Steve Egner
    Steve Egner

    I knew there were some anglers lurking around here.

    Odrade : Do pick it up again! It's easy to forget how fortunate we are to have recreation choices like these so close by.

    Xena : There's nothing wrong with beer fishing. Or fishing in beer. Or fishing becuase of beer. Just as long as you're fishing.

    exjdub : I'm glad the story inspired you. Now, off to Montana with you! You know, if you go just a little farther, you'll be here.

    Codeblue : When I first moved here, I called scenes like those pictured above, "Calendar Scenes", because I'd only seen their like on pictoral calendars. We're very lucky to live here, with restful places like that easily within our reach.

    Ozzie : Thanks for the glowing report card! I apologize for omitting the statistics on beer consumption. In the future, it should be a given, that if BigRed is fishing, ample quantities of beer are being consumed. But only good beer.

    Mulan : Thank you! you'll have copies of all photos, and soon.

    truthseeker1 : This guy was yummie, too. He was covered and stuffed with onion and lemon slices, and barbequed.

    Makena1 : I am humbled by the conparison... I believe that "A River Runs Through It" is one of the richest stories ever put to film. I am certain, however, that like Norman MacLean's little brother, I'd have gone in after the fish if necessary. I've never been able to manage a fly line like that maestro on the poster, though.

    Steve

  • frenchbabyface
  • Gretchen956
    Gretchen956

    I've been wanting to camp up in that area ever since I've been here but don't know the good spots (27' camp trailer)... My partner was salivating over that fish you caught, she is an avid fisherwoman, takes a couple guided tours a year, last year in Alaska. She got a fly pole for Christmas a couple years ago and really wants to learn how to use it but so far she's been fishing for steelhead and salmon using other gear (don't ask me, I don't fish too much).

    I'm from Montana, and yes the fishing is great over there. I used to fish more when I was younger. Believe it or not I'm the one that has to clean the things if Kim lands one. She is so funny, with the trout we caught in Canada last year she wouldn't just let the fish stay on the stringer and die a slow death, she said she wanted to make it quick so they wouldn't suffer. So she beat their head on the side of the boat! Then she made me clean them, and later she could barely bring herself to eat them because she felt so bad for killing them.

    Thanks for the pictures, I would love to go camping there. We're headed out this weekend for a spot between Randle and Packwood (near Mt. Rainier for those of you not in this area) we have a friend with 5 acres up there who is letting us park there over the weekend.

    Sherry

  • Steve Egner
    Steve Egner

    Ahhhh.... more fisherpeople.

    frenchbabyface : Sorry, I'm not yet fluent in emoticon. Does that one mean you enjoyed the thread?

    Gretchen956 : Hey Sherry, I haven't yet camped around Ranier, but I think the areas are similar. BigRed and Mulan would be good ones to ask about accessible sites for your camper trailer, since they too are trailer people. I don't know if a big rig could navigate this particular site; Dave and Marilyn would know, though. Has your partner ever gone Steelheading on the Cowlitz river? It's quite a mecca for Washington Steelheaders. My mom's second husband taught me to flyfish there. He is one of those artist/craftsman flyfishermen, his creel half full of fish by the time we'd waded to the site. The meat casters typically crowd the banks of Blue Creek, just below the hatchery, where the fish are hardwired to return. The river also has a resident Rainbow population, and a nice run of Cutthroats in October. I've flyfished in a quiet little eddy directly across the bank from the baitcasting steelheaders many times, serenely landing cutthroat one after another, while they tangle each other up over a chance to hook a Steelhead.

    So, that was you two banging your fish on the boat, eh? We all thought you'd found some odd new trout attracting method. Seriously, just nip your fish with a knife behind one gill after you attach it to the stringer. The fish will quickly bleed out, it can't possibly be as traumatic as "boat banging", and some believe that it improves the taste of the fish.

    Good Luck!

    Steve

  • Double Edge
    Double Edge

    Great post and fabulous pictures.... I feel like I've been on a vacation. THANKS!

  • Valis
    Valis

    *LOL* CSG feels sorry for hooking and killing them, but if you ever want to get eviscerated ala....cut your gullet, the gut you, take the cut gullet part and ram the thumb down the throat...then pull the guts out...clear the blood vein and then bend the head back...peel the head back straight down and peel the skin/fins/etc off...leave the tail for flavor...viola! Just ask...sheesh...*LOL* Great pics Steve and I'll let you know soon.

    Sincerely,

    District Overbeer

  • Steve Egner
    Steve Egner

    Double Edge : I'm glad you enjoyed the trip!

    Valis : That description of fish gutting had me squirming. I think I feel sorry for your fish... Did you bang 'em real hard on the side of the boat first?

    Steve

  • Xena
    Xena
    Did you bang 'em real hard on the side of the boat first?

    Geez that sounds perverted even for Valis

  • Gretchen956
    Gretchen956
    Has your partner ever gone Steelheading on the Cowlitz river? It's quite a mecca for Washington Steelheaders.

    ah yea, that is our home away from home. Kim took a guide trip last month and caught two salmon and a steelhead there. Her aunt and uncle have a place at Ethel Wa, just about 20 miles east of I-5 on Hwy 12, so its only a couple miles from Blue Creek and from the Dam. We are down there about twice a month at least sometimes more, in the winter a bit less. Its one area we have seriously considered buying some property (are you familiar with Mayfield Lake?) just haven't found the perfect piece yet.

    Thanks for the tip on the fish, I'll pass it on.

    Fish on----

    Sherry

  • Steve Egner
    Steve Egner
    Has your partner ever gone Steelheading on the Cowlitz river? It's quite a mecca for Washington Steelheaders.

    ah yea, that is our home away from home. Kim took a guide trip last month and caught two salmon and a steelhead there

    Gretchen956 : Hey Sherry, your partner has had way more success on that river with the Salmon and Steelhead than I have. I've been bumped in the legs by huge King Salmon while I fished there for trout, but never hooked into one. I've known a few old timers in the area who walk down to the bank, just upstream from the hatchery boat launch, land their two Silvers, and go home. Like clockwork. "Been doin' it fer years," they tell me, "Nuthin' to it." Aaaaayyyup.

    Mom's current beau, (I'll just call him number four) just bought a really slick 24' jet sled, just the ticket on that river. I haven't had a chance to go with him yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The boats really have the edge on fishing that river.

    I've fished Mayfield, a beautiful area. Mom owns a real estate brokerage, Winlock Realty, that handles property all over that area. She might be able to help you, I know they've always got informal "pocket" listings that may never reach the multiple listing service. Be sure to tell them (Gail or Jim) that I referred you, so I can shake her down for a referral fee. Then I can afford to fish!

    Steve

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