Earlier this week I headed down to SW Washington to meet Keith, know on this board as Stlhdr1 and his buddy James aka Perfect Drift. I planned to work Monday and fish Tuesday with Keith and James on a famed SW Washington river. Know understand that Keith had been telling me that him and his buddy, James, were awesome fisherman and I had better be ready to be outgunned. I thought "hmmmmmm, we'll see about that" as many of you on the board know that I am a skilled steelheader.

Well, James hooked two chrome summers and Keith hooked one in the first hole on three separate passes. I was in shock as it all happened within the first 20 min of fishing. The very next hole I hit a chromer and redeemed myself. As the day went on I played net boy for James and Keith as soon we had hooked over 10 fish and I still was contributing only one fish to the tally. "Uh, oh" I thought as I needed to catch up fast. I did just that hitting three fish back to back. We even called up Keith's sister to come meet us and not only did she meet us in the sled, but she promptly hooked two fish. The total for the day was 17 fish hooked and 13 to the boat of which we kept 2 brats each for the bbque. James and Keith really know their stuff and their bait is about as good as it gets. These guys rock!!!

Pictured below from left to right is me (Kid Sauk), James (Perfect Drift), Kim, and Keith (Stlhdr1).

COWLITZ

hi kid, nice fish, looks like the weather was good also, how ya doin 8ft long time no hear, doug

Nice fish!

Hey Keith, how old is your sister?

They aren't biting like that on the Cowlitz That looks a lot like the ____ River.

[06/29/01 Message Edited by: Kid Sauk]

Yeah, I know she got the looks and I didn't get ***t. I need to get her out there more the problem is when she's in the boat I can't keep the guys out of the trees. Right, justin. Keep your eyes where you should be casting. No it wasn't the cowlitz it was the uhhhhhh columbia yeah that's it we were boondogging the columbia, that's the only place you can catch fish that bright. hehe
Keith

Cool. I see the summer runs have hit the Sauk River Steelhead Ranch!

Don't pay attention to The Kid. He's full of crap.

Saweet! Sauk River, here I come!

Parker

Naaaaaaahse Feeeeeeeeeeeesh!

Definitely naasss feeesh, and great day! Hey Keith, you didn't tell me you had a gorgeous sister. Not that it matters - I'm a happily married guy. But just for the heck of it, tell her I can moonwalk as good as Michael Jackson . But beware the Kid and 'Yall . - Steve

The question is did you look at the fish first or my sister when you saw the photograph, it's amazing if the fish aren't in and my sister's going along for the ride, everyone wants to go! I'll be sure to tell her you can moonwalk like MJ, RT. She'll get a kick out of that. She's the ace in the bag, because anytime there are other's fishing on the river boondogging, bank or anything they lose all thoughts and I slip in and hook all the fish!
Keith

Uhhhh....Are we in trouble if we looked at her first???

Anyway, sweet picture guys...It's good to see pictures to go along with your signature line on here, Kieth.....ANYONE can CLAIM to be the man.....pictures speak louder than words....

Hey Keith, when ya headin' back to that "Columbia" River? I heard the late evening bite is even better..........

Honestly, I started at the left working my way to the right, then I noticed the nice pair.....of fish.... your sister was sporting. :p

I probably won't even make it back out until next week, my girlfriend is giving me hell about fishing too much. So, "if" I get the chance it will be an evening fishery. But, it's killing me knowing all the fish are there. I feel like I lost the winning powerball ticket, just sick to my gut. The feeling just never goes away all year though so many fish to catch, so little time.
Keith

Hey Don't worry about not fishing, I haven't gone in two weeks because of work, Something the kid was supposed to be doing, I guess when I am slammin kings on a local river and he is out maybe working it will all come full circle. But you guys are on my **** list because you don't know how hard it is to get him to work more than two consecutive days in a row Believe me I have heard everyone in the book and don't care to hear anymore.
So don't expect any preferential treatment from Me.
Peace Superfly

Uh oh Justin. Looks like you won't be heading down this direction until about what, December? Pray like hell the winter-runs come back like the summers. Ha Ha!!

Went back out today with another buddy of mine (he's currently not a member of this board) who had two sets of clients. We managed to hit 17 again. Landed only 10 this time. But, not bad considering it was Saturday, a $#%@-load of boats on the river, and the second group of clients were from Boston who didn't even know what a steelhead was (I say ''was'', cuz they do now). We also had two youngsters, ages 8 and 10, along for the trip.

I guess the only downfall of the day was me blowing up my IMX 1141 while setting the hook on a fish. One of the 3 pieces, yes THREE, came back and nailed me right in the friggin' cheek. Lemme tell ya, it wasn't fun spending the next 20 minutes pulling graphite splinters out of my head!! You would've had a good laugh. By the way Justin, weren't you the one who told me I set the hook too hard?? All I can say, is "Yeah, somethin' like that..."

James

Great day, james, just wish I could have been out. Columbia is doing well. You need to settle down on the hooksets, remember what I said justin, if you can break the rod on the hookset you're doing it right. Let them have it with all you got! RT, I "may" and stress may be able to get out for a 1/2 day, on wednesday. I'm trying to get a plane ticket for my girlfriend to get her out of town, so we can get out and slay them.
Let you know soon, though...
Keith

Hey James,

Just go with the ol' "I don't know my own strength" thing....... Just try not to impale yourself next time!

Sounds like you'se guys are putting a whoopin' on them........Keith, sounds like you need to look a little harder for that airline ticket! I can hear the fish now..." Keith, James......we're hungry, come and catch us"

Excellent diversionary tactics, too. Keep your sis in the boat, and keep all the looky-Lou's casting in the trees

Keep up the good work down there on the, er, "Columbia".

Right on, Perfect Drift and Stlhdr1. I figured that you'd be putting the hurt on 'em again. I fished the "Ranch" this weekend and got some killer dollies. Both the char variety and the female variety. hehehe

We got some work done up there in between fishing so make sure that all your honey do's and stuff are done for the big bash coming up. The is no setting more beautiful than the place we have set up for the campfire and kegs. There is a view of the mountains and the river is right there. It's hard to be sociable when your a fishing addict like myself. Peace

Justin

Truthfully, it's like we were back out in the boat the other morning. I can't wait to crack open that first cold one. Or better yet,to tap the keg. Very, very beautiful... All will be fun, just let me know in advance.
Keith