JUST PLAIN LUCK

From the title I am sure many of you are thinking that the luck was with the fishing. While that always seems to hold true at times, I am referring to the opportunity I had recently to accept a trip. It was one of those last minute, unplanned outings that I sometimes fear only because I know what goes into the preparation. For some reason I felt like I had to accept this offering. The day started in that typical fashion, waiting for light, are the fish gonna be there and did I forget something! But then I met Tim my client. As he began to tell me about himself I suddenly realized why I was suppose to be on this trip. Without going into details, Tim shared with me some private issues that have come about in his life. I looked at this man who stood before me and realized that I was put in this position for a reason, not just to be a guide today but to be a student. It was time for me to listen and learn about life in its simplest meaning and most complex all balled up into one chance meeting. And wonder you may what I learned on this day....................................

Slow down, open your eyes and Breathe!

I also learned that eventually you have to
pay back the fish gods!

Tim with his first steelhead on a fly!

A fresh hen that destroyed a Bob's Minnow pattern

Thank you Tim for sharing this day with me. I wish you the best and truly look forward to future endeavors with you. With Easter soon upon us, I would like to wish all of our followers and staff members a Happy Easter! Enjoy your time together with family and friends and remember not to stand behind them while they are casting! LOL

Until Next Time.................................

Tim Hess

Fly Fishing Specialist

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

I am always amazed by the reverence one can find while spending a day on the water. Solitude in your mind is literally an eye shot away. Clear skies, fresh air and desire reveal a world that we often take for granted. I see more than just fish in a river, shear cliffs, shale beds or endless piles of river rock.  I often get to witness a moment in time when all of the elements blend together and create an almost magical pause. A pause, I wonder, if others see or feel when my eyes view them at the helm of the beautiful landscape before them. Smiles often tell the story well beyond what a mere fish in hand can say. I was here and life it seems paused today! To Meredith and Chester.............. Thank You!

Meredith and Chester taking advantage of a photo op!

24 degrees and sun still = ice!

This one had Chet moving down river in a race to the lake

One happy angler

Meredith with his Warrior Buck taken on the swing with one of Senyo's Gansta Minnows

And the release...

There is still time to get out on the water and take advantage of the spring run before it comes to a close. Keep in mind that smallmouth fishing opportunities will be upon us soon so give us a call!

Until next time............
Tim Hess
Flyfishing guide/Landowner liaison
Steelhead Alley Outfitters

A Love Of Chrome!

There is a progression that happens in the life of every steelheader. First you dream of that first Steelhead gracing the creases of your weathered hands that have braved the elements time and again. You cast and cast longing for that hook-up that seems nearly impossible, but haunts you. You find that nice run and the stars align. The indicator drops, the line comes tight, and it's on. The fight takes you down stream, close to the wood, but not too close. The fish runs to you and you struggle to keep pace, but with luck you stay on top. After a few minutes of heart pumping adrenaline and a lot of hoping, it happens...the fish comes to the net. Upon bringing that first prize to hand the celebration and joy is had that no angler will soon forget. It is a photo no camera needs to take, for the image is forever imprinted in your mind. It is a special moment in the life of any fly angler!

Not long after getting it figured out so to speak, the tendency shifts for the angler and many an angler get bit by what seems to be Steelhead gluttony. We need more and more fish and eventually our ability to put numerous fish to hand becomes a sign of status. The proud chest swells and often times we believe we have reached the top...you know, we have arrived. As anglers we believe for a moment that we are the best stick around.

However, as an angler spends more and more time on the water and have caught more than their fair share of fish, a new shift in the dream, the hope, the expectation, begins to form. The cycle is nearing its maturity... a real appreciation, a full appreciation is about to be born. It is the longing not for a first fish, or a lot of fish, or even a huge fish......it is the longing for the purest form of fish. You know, that unadulterated, unmolested, every scale in place, no real signs of wear and tear kind of fish. It's the palpable craving for "chrome," the "white hot steel,".......the real fish of dreams for me these days.

Every time I hit the water with clients, I try to do so looking for these kind of fish, because it is in the these fish that I, and many of my clients now find the joy in steelheading! Fortunately for me, yesterday was a good day.

Thomas celebrates his first Steelhead of his short fly

fishing career and shares the moment with friend Patti!

Not long after Thomas' first fish, I decided to

graduate him to swinging for some of the fresher

fish, and he made me proud with this guy!

Gotta love sexy flies and fresh fish!

Patti with a nice steel topped freshie!

We have many guides on the water and each is finding fish in many locations and in different ways. Here are just a couple more photos from the past day...

How is this for a slab of buck?

Way to go Brad!!! Nice fish any day of the week!

We are on the water every day and will post more every chance we get. Until then, get out and get them while the getting is good!

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

It's Nice To Be Fishing!

What little rain we got last night and today is going to help us out in the long run. Looks like the air temperatures are going to drop over the next couple of days, and it might just actually feel like we are fishing in March! Here are a few trip photos from Patrick Robinson, John Miller, and John Fabian. We hope you enjoy!

We'll have more for you later!