The Hold Out...

This week we have been out doing some scouting and looking at the rivers.  The good news is that there is open water to be fished on all of the streams.  The bad news is that the lower water sections on most of the rivers are still holding out for the really warm weather or super high water…whichever comes first.

I was out on Tuesday looking around and snapped some shots from the lower sections of some streams and the following photos were very characteristic of what was to be found.

While poking around the rivers, these little guys reminded me that we were definitely in the spring season.  It is always a welcome sight to see thousands of these little winter stones crawling all over the ice and snow along the river.  As things warm we should see some more bug life that will get us thinking about throwing dries for trout too!  Any way we slice it, I just look forward to some warmer days with fish included.  There are a few out there to be had, but the best is yet to come.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page and we will keep you up to date on the latest conditions and what we may find.

Until then, stay warm, tie some flies, and get out when the windows allow to put a bend in your rod!

Tight lines,

Patrick Robinson
Director of Operations
Steelhead Alley Outiftters

Ice Out Is Here…Let The Fishing Begin

Well, after the coldest and longest winter I can remember, the break has finally shown itself.  The rivers are blown and dropping back and the fishing will begin in ernest this week!  Sure there is still a lot of ice on the banks and sometimes in the flow, but we are free from the grip of winter, so let the celebration begin!

After many weeks of tying flies of all sorts and varieties for all kinds of species, I am more ready than ever to get out and bust some chrome or any fish for that matter.  Here is one of my favorite ties as of late that will eventually get the job done.

A NICE 3/0 SPEY FLY READY TO HIT THE WATER AND DO THE JOB.

And when I'm not busy chasing chrome, I hope to get out and give a shot at sticking some toothy critters too.  That being the case, I decided to tie up some "go big or go home" kind of flies too.  Here is one such fly for Muskie that I hope will be wet in coming weeks!

A FLY TIED UP AND READY FOR A HUNGRY TOOTHY TYPE!

Regardless of what species of fish you are going after, the ice is gone from most rivers and the waters are ready to be worked by those who are willing.

If you are interested in hitting the water this spring for some Steelhead or Smallmouth, give us a shout and let us help you put some fish in the bag!  You can call us at (888) 453-5899 or email us at team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Sincerely,

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson
Director of Operations
Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Anyone Ready for a Spring Fling?

It seems like yesterday that the rivers were looking good and we were fishing the fall run.  Fresh chrome was coming to hand and life was good.  Nothing like getting fish on the swing...nothing like it!  As much as I love catching fish that way, all good things must come to an end right?  Well, come to an end it did...and quickly!  That cold arctic air that we are all familiar with from a long hard winter hit us hard and has had us in its grip ever since.

PRETTY FISH ON PRETTY FLIES...PRETTY COOL!

Making the transition out of a steelhead season that seemed to end too quickly last fall was only softened by the ability to get the boats out for some late season duck hunting.  It definitely helped keep my mind and spare time occupied, but there too it proved difficult to stay ahead of the ever increasing ice that threatened to lock up our favorite haunts be it rivers, ponds or the lake.

A MIXED BAG FROM MY CUSTOM LAYOUT BOAT I COMPLETED DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS

THE WORST MISTAKE THESE TWO DRAKE BUFFLEHEADS EVER MADE

 So, the winter seems to be done and slowly giving way to the spring thaw.  In recent days, the rivers have been blowing...some at epic levels, and the ice is going with it.  That means that fishing is right around the corner and I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a fix...a spring fling...to hear the ring, the zing or whatever you want to call it.

Cabin fever here is your fair warning....I'm over you and we are done for the winter.  If you are with me, I hope to see you on the water and with any luck, a little bit of this kind of pretty to go along with it!

SOLID FISH ON HIGH GREEN FLOWS...NOT MUCH BETTER ON ANY DAY!

CLIENT SMILES FRAMED IN CHROME...HERE'S TO MANY MORE IN 2014!

Well, that's all for now....and thanks to Facebook, who knows when I'll get back here again...but I will try to get back sooner than later.  I hope your year is off to a great start and wish you all the luck in your excursions this spring and all year long!

If we can help get you on the water, give us a shout at 1-888-453-5899 or email us at team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com and we will get you on the books.

Tight lines,

Patrick Robinson
Director of Operations
Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Ice & Snow + Steady Flows = Fish

It is so glad to be in the midst of our winter Steelhead season....(sounds of screeching brakes, crashing sounds, etc)....wait a second, did I say winter?  What I meant to say was spring, but all this snow and ice has me a bit confused these days!

Lately our riverscapes have looked anything but spring like and if it weren't for the presence of the Canada Geese and plethora of other waterfowl on the rivers along with our wonderful stonefly hatches, I would be hard pressed to believe we are actually in the spring season.  Don't get me wrong, we get a little bit of snow each spring, but this has been a straight up deep winter weather pattern.  In the last week or so we have seen as much as 15 inches of snow fall.  Here is this morning out my front door.

 A gorgeous spring morning from my front porch

A winter Stonefly nymph crawls on the snow looking for a partner

Despite the feel of winter in the air, we have been as busy as ever and although the water temps are a bit chilly, fish are hitting the net without fail.  Here are just a few photos from recent days out with those who are either lovers of swinging flies or are just learning the art of spey casting and wanting to try their hand at swinging flies....it's been a lot of fun out there!  But just look at the surroundings....snow, snow, and more snow...with a bit of slush for added affect.

No matter the conditions, steelheaders are out there beating the water.  Yes, we are a rare breed!  Often called crazy or stupid, but we like to call ourselves passionate about what we do.  Freezing rain, snow, sleet, and 32 degree water doesn't keep us from doing what we love when given a chance.  After many flies swung and a lot of downed indicators, fish have been coming to hand for many and here are just a few of the photos from the past week or so....

Any way we look at it....spring or not...we love to do what we do!  Thanks to all of our friends and clients who have entrusted us with their time!  It has been tough on some days and easier on others, but you all have stuck it out and got the job done!  Here's to doing it again and often!

On a different note, if you haven't heard, we have just launched a new website at the same web address we have always had...http://www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com.  If you haven't already seen it go give it a look and let us know what you think of it.

Also, we are starting to think toward our September Alaska trip.  We still have openings available if you are wanting to make this trip with us.  Drop us a line if you have questions or want to make the journey with us this year.  Below is an overview of the trip and you can visit our website to see copious amounts of photos and video by clicking here.....ALASKA 2013

Good luck out on the water!  Hope to see you out there soon!

Tight Lines, 

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide 

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

The New Web Presence

Over the course of the last couple of years some of the SAO boys have been working on a new look for Steelhead Alley Outfitters on the web. A little design here and a little design there and it slowly started to look like a website.  In the last couple of months the activity and need to finish the project reached a fevered pitch and we realized it was now or never.  With a bit of team spirit and a good old pep rally kind of session, we all agreed to push through to the finish as the spring Steelhead season would quickly be in full swing.

Today we are happy to say that the fruits of our labors are finally available for the public to view.  We are happy to have it done and hope that it helps serve our customers well.

There is one aspect of the site that isn't quite finished yet and we are equally as excited about it.  The new "Flies and Gear" page on our site is soon to be a full blown web store.  Here you will be able to pay for everything from guided/hosted trip deposits and balances to purchasing custom tied flies, fly tying supplies, wears, and anything else we can think of over time.

Go check out the new site at http://www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com and be sure to let us know what you think.

Tight Lines,

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson
Head Guide
Steelhead Alley Outfitters

All In The Family

Each year I have the opportunity to take a lot of people fishing and often times get to share with them the experience of a first Steelhead on the fly. That is always a great experience no matter how long you may have known the angler standing alongside you. However, there is one "first time" experience that trumps all others, whether you are a guide or not, and that is when you get to experience it with your own family.

Going back a few years ago to 2009, I had a brief window of opportunity and an 8 year old son who was chomping at the bit to do what Dad does. It just happened to be March 22nd which is my birthday and I thought, "No better way to spend the day than teaching my son to fly fish!" We only had three hours to get done what I hoped to accomplish, so we hit the road. One hour of casting instruction and one hour of fishing is all that we had with travel time, so we crossed our fingers, said a prayer, and hit the water. With numerous hook-ups, many lost fish, and yes, even some tears from a disappointed 8 year old, the final fish came to the net with the splendor and majesty that only a father can understand. The moment the fish hit the net you could hear the shouts and jubilation from a mile away I'm sure, but I didn't care. It was my son, on my birthday, and I had never had a better one!

Patrick's son with his first fish on a fly rod...

and a Steelhead to boot!

He was as proud as they come and so was Dad!

Fast forward a year, and I had a good shot at getting my oldest daughter out. We hit the stream and conditions were right, but our good fortune wasn't as good this time around. With seven hook-ups came seven lessons in what not to do while fighting a Steelhead...we've all been there. Yes, we left the stream that day a bit disappointed, but this was a good day by any definition, because I had my daughter on the stream.

Fast forward one more year to the fall of 2011 and it was back on the stream this time with my oldest son and daughter. It was amazing how well my daughter did this day given the fact that it had been a full year since her last trip. We stepped into the hole and I put her in the sweet spot. It didn't take any time and she was making beautiful casts and picture perfect drifts...then it happened. The indicator stopped, she set the hook up stream (yes I said up stream), the fish surfaced, the head flopped side to side, the hook pulled, and she looked at me. I smiled and said, "what did you do wrong?" And to my amazement she said, I set the hook up stream. I was amazed and excited all at once. My soon to be teenager DOES LISTEN....woohooo....LOL....Oh, back to the story. I couldn't believe she had retained that small piece of information and analyzed her mistake so quickly.

With a bit of pride in my heart, I said, "OK, then just don't do that again!" Two drifts later, she had made a perfect cast, a great mend, and the indicator dropped again. This time she came up with a great hook set in the downstream motion and stuck that fish hard. Immediately the fish raced upstream and I was afraid to look at what she may do with the rod and the line and, and, and, I WAS AMAZED. I don't know what happened, but she acted as if she had caught 1,000 fish, because none of her previous years mistakes ever showed themselves this time around. She set right, cleared the line like a pro, kept her hand off the reel unless she was actually gaining line, and then that second "proud Papa" moment happened. I exclaimed, "raise the rod to turn that head up," and she followed the order with precision. I waited for that head to rise so that I could make a good stick, and stick him I did.

I wondered how enthusiastic her response would be. Would it be like my sons had been? Probably not I thought....she's a girl (reasoning in my mind that she's probably here more for me than her) and....well, I was wrong and extremely happy to be. When I came up with the fish, she let out a hoot that put a smile on everyone's face that day. In fact I'm smiling now just thinking about it!

What a beauty...and the fish isn't half bad either!

Dad thought he would push the envelope to see just

how much of a flygal she would be and said, "You have

to kiss your first fish." I was amazed when she put this

lip-lock on the fish. That's alright with me...but I'll shoot

any guy who tries for the same...LOL

Once again, fast forward about 4 months...it's now March of 2012. I am laying in bed one night when my wife comes straggling to bed extremely late. She was out with friends that night and came rolling in about 3am just as I awoke, needing to make a last minute call to clients before they left Columbus because of some overnight storms. As my wife crawled in bed, she said, "I have spring break next week, what do you think the chances are of you taking me fly fishing?" WHAT? I had to roll over and check to make sure my wife was actually the one in bed with me! "Seriously," I asked. I stumbled in my words totally taken back by the question and quickly realized that the following Thursday was, you bet, my birthday. Good old March 22nd. It had been golden three years earlier with my son...could it happen twice? I didn't know, but was very willing to give it a shot.

The big day came and I got the lunches packed for a picnic with the wife on the river and we headed out the door. My wife enjoys fishing (but had never fly fished), LOVES the sun, and proclaims the same for me. This was definitely a day of Steelheading that appealed to her because it was sunny and 75-80 degrees. I didn't care what the conditions were...it could have been any condition as far as I was concerned! I was just elated to have my wife on the river with me!

It didn't take long to get the rod in her hand and teach her some basics on casting. She was a bit reluctant at times, but I gave her some space to let her work out the kinks and build her confidence and would then come in with some pointers which she took very well. Not long into the day she hooked her first fish and made the common one handed grab of the rod and line together and as always I watched the rod drop sharply and "Ping"....bye, bye fish!

She was really amazed at the power of that fish and immediately questioned her ability to get the job done. I quickly affirmed her ability and told her she didn't need to be anxious, but to just keep the rod up at all times and the line simply "under control"...no need for death grips here. She settled in and within a half hour that glory moment came. The fish ran her around, up and down if went as I shouted out instruction on what to do and what not to do. Soon I was moving in, net in hand, to see if my birthday blessing would happen twice. Within seconds, it was sealed....I may now have one of the best sets of birthday memories a fly fisher could ever ask for!

My wife and the catch of my life, holds her

first Steelhead and her first fish on a fly rod!

I think I could get used to having this one as my

partner on the stream more often!

Needless to say, I am a blessed man. We now number 4 steelheaders in the family and my two youngest are begging every day for their shot at it. Soon, I hope, we will be a steelheading family and my dream collage of pictures for the wall will be complete. I look forward to the day I can hang that frame on the wall. It will most certainly be a trophy of a lifetime!

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Swingers Gone Wild!

When the waters are right, I love to swing flies and thoroughly enjoy working with others to do the same. It seems that the sport of swinging for steelhead is gaining in popularity and with such, you get a variety of folks wanting to work on the game...rank beginners all the way to those with some experience.

J.B. learns the basics of skagit casting in his

pursuit of catching Steelhead on the swung fly.

Well, this week I had both and can say it was a fun week...not to mention a VERY memorable one! What you are about to read is the absolute truth, nothing but the truth...so help me God.

One client who I truly enjoy spending a day on the water with is J.B. He is a go getter, a hard worker, and after our last excursion, definitely not a quitter! J.B. and I met a number of years back when we both attended a fly tying event in Columbus Ohio. Little did we know that we would meet again years later...he as my client, me as his guide. This was the second trip this spring, and I told him a couple of days prior that the conditions were great for swinging flies. At that point he said he had never swung flies, but I convinced him that it was definitely something he would fall in love with. With that, we hit the stream with the rod in hand and began teaching him the basics of spey casting. What is an anchor, the dangle, a white mouse, a D-loop, a dynamic roll cast, a double spey, a circle spey, etc. In short order, I had him working out the kinks on a circle spey cast and he was really starting to get it when the train wreck happened...when the swinger went wild!

He had started to settle in with a cast that was fishable (not pretty just yet, but fishable), when I decided to make a change of sink tip. I felt that a little bit longer tip was necessary to fish the run we were currently in, so I made the change....and oh how I came to regret that decision.

With the very next cast, coming off the dangle, he started into his lift and subsequent circle of the circle spey or "C" spey. This is where the lesson was learned the hard way. Instead of drawing his circle out in front of himself as I had instructed, he did so slightly over his head and the fact that the fly and line will always follow the path of the rod tip was proven very true. All at once, a beautiful custom emerald shiner swung fly came flying directly at him at breakneck speed and railed him right in the hip. Much to J.B.'s chagrin, as he looked down, he found that the hook made penetration, ripped a quarter inch slice in his Simms waders and began it's exit with a secondary puncture! I couldn't believe what I was seeing and felt horrible...the look on his face was one of bewilderment...but what can a guide do? I too had done the same thing years prior, but fortunately the hook didn't grab.

J.B. being the light hearted, fun loving kind of guy he is just laughed it off and said oh well. Disappointed for sure, he tried to refocus on the casting trying to not let it ruin his day. So, what misfortune for the day one might think, right? Well, it gets worse....MUCH WORSE!!!

Now as you can imagine, J.B. was a bit gun shy at this point, just as many a new spey caster has been themselves, but he was pressing through it. As he prepared the line for the next cast, I could sense the anxiety...it was a bit noticeable as he paused trying to build up the nerve to try it again. Being the coach, I took notice of the anxiety and encouraged him to get back in the saddle and give it go...I mean what else can happen at this point, right?

Well, I know lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place, but what about flies? As luck would have it, J.B. made a second attempt, and this time the fly broke the water, entered the air, and instead of heading for his hip, this time it was the area of his head! Yes, his head! Again, at blistering speed, before J.B. could even duck, he hears a crack around the area of his neck...around the area of his sunglasses...around the area of his glass lens Costa's....Yep, you guessed it. The next cast delivered a fatal blow to one of the lenses on his Costa sunglasses shattering them into a spider web.

At this point, I was drowning as my mouth had dropped so low that I was now taking on water! I couldn't believe the luck in this moment. I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry and J.B. figured laughing was the best of the two and gave it a roll. Now, I'll admit, it's not easy getting past a moment like that, but we did...carefully...and only after getting rid of that blasted sink tip that had thrown him into a tail spin of misfortune.

Fortunately for us, his casting would improve immensely in the coming hour...don't believe me, just check out this short video of one cast. Looking GREAT J.B.!!!

J.B. Shows that he can really get it done!

With the improved casting, he also had many pulls and hookups by the days end to look back on. This time around, he didn't get any of the Steelhead to hand, but he did get a Smallmouth and a very interesting rock. I guess you can say that J.B. is the full experience kind of guy....and that is what he got! He has already talked about his return to the Alley to finish the task and I have all confidence that he will do so!

J.B. proudly displays his prized rock swung up on day one!

A nice swung fly Smallmouth became J.B.'s first victim.

I have a feeling that many more are to come!

Following J.B. was a gentlemen by the name of Scott. He had used a two hander before but it had been some time ago and it was time for a refresher. We started out the day with the standard indicator nymphing that many Steelheaders use, but again with the conditions being right, I asked him if he would be interested in swinging flies. He quickly said yes, and the rest of the day we fished on the swing. A few kinks worked out here and there and we were looking really good...and the fish thought so too!

Scott swings up this nice dropback hen to punctuate the day.

A close up of the hen above with a custom tied

emerald shiner pattern by Greg Senyo.

A feisty buck chased us down and connected!

Buck fever of a different variety!

The buck above before being

unhooked from the grasp of a gorgeous fly!

Well, hopefully we will get some rain soon so that the rivers will rise and bring us another push of fresh fish! That is our hope and I'm sure it's yours too.

The fish are still around if you are willing to chase them, so get out and see what you can do with a day. No matter how you do it, I'm sure memories will be made......

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters