Hit Hansen's Bar this morning, late as usual. Was supposed to be there to meet landcruiserwilly at 6:45.
Strolled onto the bar about 7:30.
About ten guys there, all fishing floats. Stepped into the bottom of the hole and after watching the first two guys in line take Chums, and the guy above me hook one I figured it was about time.
Three casts later and I have my new avitar.
My first winter brat of the year, I hope this is a good sign of the run to come.
Notes of support can be sent to landcruiserwilly as this is his 3rd year fishing here and still hasn't caught a steelhead. I've shown him first hand now, but there is only so much you can do for a fellow.

Congrats!

landcruiserwilly:

Thoughts of encouragement from a few famous folks:

"The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't." Henry Ward Beecher

"Perseverance is a great element of success; if you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate you are sure to wake up somebody." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

And my personal favorite:

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Calvin Coolidge

They say the Steelhead is the "fish of a thousand casts". It's true....OK, so the river owes you a few fish!

Mike

o.k. let's set the record straight. if ol' elkaholic showed up at 7:30, i'll lick my bait box..more like 7:50 and while it's painfully true, i've not popped the proverbial metalhead cherry, i've only pursued steelhead a handful of times. though i must admit that was a very pretty brat, and everyone on the bank was eyeballing pretty hard as we were walking back to the trucks thanks for the encouragement, mike. i plan on hitting the rivers pretty hard this winter (wife willing) and some day soon i hope to have my very own avatar!

cheers,
willy