Hey JEB,

It's great to hear someone mention the Clearwater again, spectacular country, big fish, your a lucky man!! Went to school in Moscow during the late 80's so was fortunate to be able to spend some Clearwater time. You know I used to do very well with the white jig (deer hair) and bobber combo, never did get anywhere near a 20 pounder tho, 16 was about the best. I am surprised to hear you say that 20's are not a bit more common in that country, perhaps many of the stories I heard were just that. Take Care.

jed

Back in the 80's the FIRST DAY they required us to return natives I got a limit of hatchery fish on the puyallup, a 20# and an 18#. my biggest limit ever. I also caught a clipped fin 21# summer run near the white bluffs below vernita bridge about 6 years ago. Its on my wall as I write this!

Was on my way home from fishing the Upper Quinalt when I decided to check out the Hump. While scoping out Stevens Creek from the bridge, I spotted a large shape move into the pool right below. Went back to my car for the rod. My first cast with a teardrop spoon got slammed. The fish ripped up the pool and headed downstream. It was quite funny I was wearing sweatpants, socks and Nike shower slippers. I eventually ditched the slippers and chased the bad boy down the creek and got soaked. Didn't actually weigh the big buck, but it taped out at 39" - I consider it a conservative 18 pounder.

Riverman,

I do feel fortunate, for this is indeed spectacular country. I get ribbed a good deal by guys I grew up and went to college with about living in "the backwoods," but they're the same individuals who invariably are looking to visit for a weekend of fishing and/or hunting.

So far as "big" fish around here, the fact there aren't an excess of 20-pounders isn't so surprising when you consider the journey these fish have to make. In negotiating the 400-some miles and the eight dams between Lewiston and the Pacific, steelhead will lose up to one-third of their body mass -- at least that's what a local fish biologist tells me. Since the average B-run fish ranges between 12 and 16 pounds, a fair amount of them were 20-pounders when they entered the Columbia.

So, yeah, the hatchery fish -- or any fish, for that matter -- that gets to the Clearwater still packing 20 pounds is something of a rarity.

You sound as if those days flinging a white jig on the Clearwater are but a fond memory. Granted, Pendleton isn't as close as Moscow, but take heart -- you're still only a couple hours away.

Jeb and others-
My biggest were both on the Clearwater the same weekend in 91 (I think 91). A 20 and a 22. The fish were 41 and 42 inches respectively and were weighed on a reliable scale. Jeb, my dad was at nearly 450 hooked and 380 landed that winter alone. He has since passed but I would be very interested in the names of those highly productive fishermen you know as I may also know them. I know that my dad considered his partner Verle the finest fisherman in that valley. I plan to pull the boat over there a few more times this winter, perhaps we could swap stories on my boat while knockin' em dead at potlatch or my favorite Ahsahka.

Hey 45cal, that catch record is totally amazing!!! How were most of those fish hooked if you don't mind me asking? Did he take the Great Snake Lake Derby? Happy Holidays.

jed

The Kalama last year I had a great day caught a 18lb and 16lb hatchery brutes what a thrill.

Glad I wore my hip boots

I have caught 2 large fish of hatchery origin due to the mutated dorsal fins both were bucks 1 was 43 inches long 27lbs in 1977 on the Cowlitz weighed in at Andys and a summer run out of the Kalama that was in May 1983 42 inches long 19 lbs 11oz. on the scale at Mahaffeys.

I wish this were BS as it would not make me look so bad in comparison to my pop. To my knowledge all of those fish were hooked on plugs. I have not had access to all of his fishing diaries yet but when I do I will gladly post all pertinent info regarding all fish hooked and/or landed by him. Namely time, date, water temp, depth, line length, plug, weather and on and on. Being semi retired he had both time and inclination to keep copious notes. From the writings I now have I do know that the most productive plug for him was a standard wiggle wart in metallic yellow and black stripe.(three weeks ago that was the only plug to take a fish at ahsahka over two days of fishing) Nearly 2 to 1 catch rate by his records. He also had research and conclusions on size of plug as it relates to the time of year.(go to mag warts after Dec. 1 I think) He spent much time doing research for mfrs. on tactics and design. He was, by far, the finest fisherman I have ever known and was well known in the Lewiston area. His boat was a yellow 12 ft glass jon boat with a kicker. His name was Don Alway and his last season was 94. We put his remains in the clearwater just above potlatch a few years back.

He also believed that sleds in excess of 16 ft. should be banned from the clearwater which may explain the luck I've had in my 20 footer.

Dec 88 Fished the Cow at Blue creek on a guide boat with bro/in/law. He hit a 19.5 buck 42in. and a 17 hen. Was his first steelhead trip. Without a doubt he is one of the luckiest and most unconcious fishermen I have ever fished with. I take him with when I feel like watching and not catching as I can't catch anything with him in boat so must settle for running the net.

Hey Thanks 45cal,

It sounds as if your dad was quite a man, I wish I would have been fortunate enough to spend a day on the river with him. Funny thing is that your dad and I probably crossed paths many times without me knowing it, damn!! Have always thought that I have had some good catch years, my best is 57, and many others in the 40's, but to hear a yearly catch like that is incredible!! Thank you for sharing the info 45cal, enjoyed it.

jed