I had the fun of fishing with Superfly (Joe) and SAUKit2em (Justin) today on the upper Wynoochee River. Why'nooch? Because it came up to around 1000 cfs with some overdue rain finally. The river was still almost gin clear though because the drought dryed ground sponged up much of the run-off. Got Joe's driftboat bottom nice and scuffed up for the next batch of "Coat-it". We had hoped that the freshet would bring a bunch of big nates and late bright brats (why aren't hatchery fish refered to as hats?) on up the river. Nada on the nates up there. There were a few nice brats still around though. We hooked 5 and landed 3 of them. Justin and I kept our first brat each; mint bright bucks well pretty darn bright actually well OK, they looked fairly bright and in good condition with great fights, and after we landed them they were kinda bright - well at least I wouldn't call them darkies. Aaaaah, fine, Justin's was blacker than coal, but after he shook the eyes out of it he bonked it anyway and asked for his pic to be taken (Parker - get ready to post the incriminating evidence ); nah, they were in fairly good looking shape. After a couple hours though they started turning 'grey belly' on us. In fact, I think the fish got a little excited looking up from the fishbox at Joe's backside above them, or something? I landed a second brat buck, this one with a little crisom color on it's sides, and released it unharmed; except for the mental trama of having to look at us guys up close. We lost another fish around a branch snag and another just shook out a marginal hookup. Of all the bank anglers we talked to only a couple fish were reported, and one other driftboat apparently hadn't caught any. Fun day, but not a load of fish up there. When the springer fishing starts to heat up as it has it's always a tough decision whether to fish those or C&R big nates this time of year. I'm about ready to get after it with springers I think. How has the Columbia been this week so far? Thanks. - RT

Christ, now I know why no local stores carries any Vision Hooks. Damn sales reps are always out fishing!

Must be nice not having a *real* job, huh?

Parker


[This message has been edited by parker because some of you obviously missed the HUMOR in this post. VISION Hooks is doing a great job at keeping stores stocked and providing a quality yet cheap fishing hook.(edited 03-29-2001).]

[This message has been edited by parker (edited 03-29-2001).]