Just returned from a fairly succeful summer steelhead trip, hooking twelve fish and landing five, including a thirteen pound buck that fought like it was twenty. Not a bad first three days of the summer season, but it was not the fish that I hooked that will make this trip so memorable. I had the great honor of witnessing a teenage boy fight and land his first steelhead. He was fishing with his father and they worked their way down the river to where I was fishing, politely said good morning, and moved to the hole below me. I had already worked this hole without a bite, but watched as the boy cast into the head of the drift. My attention turned back to my float just in time to see it dissappear. This was a scrappy fish around six pounds which I ended up landing down where the boy and his father were fishing. They pulled their gear out of the drift so I could land the fish, and then resumed fishing. I couldn't help but notice the boys eyes focusing in on my fish as I headed back upstream. The anticipation of his first encounter with a steelhead was quite obvious. I wished him well and went back to fishing. Moments later I heard a splash below me and turned just in time to see the fish come out of the water a second time. The boy was into a hot fish! I stood their watching the father coach his son as he played the fish. This brought back many memories of fishing for trout with my father on family camping trips. Watching this wonderful moment unfold gave me the chance to reflect on all the reasons that I love fishing for Steelhead today. It's not the number of fish that I catch, but rather just the time spent outdoors, forgetting about work and all of lifes problems that is important. I thank my father for taking the time to introduce me to fishing, and wish he was here with me to see the excitment of this boys first steelhead. After a few tense moments the boy landed his fish. He and his father celebrated his catch and filled out his punchcard for the first time. Although this fish was just an average six pound hatchery steelhead, I'm sure this boy will never forget it. I soon realized it was time to go. Today is my Fathers 71st birthday and I needed to call him and wish him a happy birthday,......... and to thank him for taking me fishing!

That was a very good story and had to be a fun day of fishing. There is just something special about fishing that brings dads' and sons' together. My dad is a great guy and he goes as often as possible. Do you mind if I ask what river?

Congrats,
Chris

Great post! You just gave me a great idea. See my new post to the list.

------------------
Just because I look big, dumb, and ugly, doesn't mean I am. It means I can stomp you for calling me it!

B Mac
Great story. My Dad fished For Steelhead back in the 60's and 70's on the Northern Oregon Coast when I was a kid, but pretty much hung up his pole when I got into my teen years. He is retired now and hasn't fished for years. I'm taking him Summer Steelhead fishing next week on the same river that he used to fish 35 years ago. I can't think of a better Father's Day present.
Good Fishing
Mark