Pacific Northwest Steelhead Fly Fishing: Winter Run by Todd Moen

Road Trip: The Methow

I hit the road on Friday and drove for awhile along the Columbia to the mouth of the Methow.

I headed up the Methow. I had to pass by a few good spots that already had fishermen in them. But I knew about this spot, and it was deserted.

In January 2011 I had come up here exploring one frigid day as a cure for cabin fever. This is what I found then.

And this is what I found on Friday.

It was a gorgeous day. The river was perfect. I worked over the same rocky run several times with different flies. Prototypes One and Two got a shot. So did some small, dark stoneflies, and a pretty little black and white streamer. It was great fishing.

I finished up looking upstream and wondering what was around that bend...

And then looking downstream and wondering the same thing.

The day had everything except fish. But that may come. I'll certainly be back to try again.

River Report: Prototype One

I finally broke away and got to the river for a few hours. It feels like I made it through a narrow window. It was in the 40's today, but another cold snap is expected over the weekend.

There was snow on the ground, but the melt was on, and I was never uncomfortably cold. Just uncomfortable about climbing down those snowy rocks with felt wading boots on.

But I made it. And there I was. Fishing in the river. It has been a long time.

I swung the new articulated fly, what I shall call Prototype One. It swam well, and I gave it a good workout.

I was fishing deep. I often felt the fly bumping over the bottom cobble, and it got hung up more than once. So I was surprised when, after three quick bumps, one of those rocks took off with my fly.

I knew right away it wasn't a steelhead. I wasn't feeling those heavy tugs and pulls that you get with a good steelhead. Best this fish could do was jerk on the fly. I let it go for a few jerks before setting the hook, but I missed it.

Might have been a trout, but my guess is that it was a little smallmouth.

I turned and set my sights on The Glide, and started the wade upstream.

All along the way there were signs of spring to enjoy. This new feather for my hat came floating down right into my hand.

 There is stark and beautiful evidence everywhere that winter is slowly but surely letting go.

Keeping me company in the bankside bushes and trees were flocks of energetic Cedar Waxwings, and mixed in with them were Robins, the first I've seen and heard this spring. There was a joyous swirl of singing birds overhead the whole way.

I waded up to the head of The Glide and worked it back downstream. The best way to fish it is from the gravel bar on the other side, but the river is just deep enough and fast enough that I didn't risk a crossing. I covered as much water as I could, but nothing came to the fly.

So I waded back down to the bridge. I got in a hurry on the way back, maybe didn't give the river its due, started feeling a little cocky about how well I was wading. So the river, as rivers will do, put me on my knees for it. I repented, and got up, and went more carefully on my way.

I didn't get soaked, but I did get wet, and my left shin got whacked pretty good. I immediately soaked it in ice water, and that helped.

Back at the bridge I fished some more. Maybe I was getting tired, but I let my line get just a little too close to the bridge pylon, and on the retrieve I snagged something that wouldn't move. There are often twisted tangles of sticks and logs wrapped around those pylons, and I had already dredged up a couple of branches when I had fished there earlier. This time I think I had snagged the whole jam.

So I had to break off Prototype One.

I fished another fly for a little while longer, but it finally felt like I had accomplished enough for the day. I hadn't hooked or landed anything. But a fish--and it only takes one--had given my Prototype One its unequivocal stamp of approval.

I climbed back up to the truck feeling validated. And eager to get back to the river again.

Just wait until they see Prototype Two.

Fly Tying: Taking the Leap

Still wanting to get in the river. It's up a little. Might stir things up. I hear some guys are picking up the odd steelhead "here and there."

I'd be happy even with an odd one.

So I'm tying up the odd fly here and there. Mostly smaller--6's and 8's. I've had good fortune with this type fly before.

To wit:

February, 2012 

February, 2011

With those and other former steelhead in mind, I decided to cover all the bases and finally take the leap into big articulated flies. Sometimes a fool notion just comes over you. So this was my first stab at it.

Yeah, I know, it needs some work. I'll get right on it.

In the meantime, no offense, but I'll let the fish be the final judge of this puppy.

Two More For the Magazine Rack

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Designed for men, enjoyed by women. Get it HERE.

Swing the Fly, Issue 3, Winter 2013

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