Lake Huron Steelhead tend to average around 6lbs, but that estimate seems modest in light of this year's fall / winter run, and the fish I landed and released today provide evidence to the aforementioned observation. My first fish of the day was hooked in a chalky, emerald green chute; a blast of rain coupled with a rapid snowmelt caused area tributaries to swell to dangerous levels early last week, and they are only beginning to drop and clear. At some point during the frenetic struggle with a platinum hued fish, I lost one of the handles on my J.W. Young Bob James Y2080, which provided an interesting handicap for the remainder of the day, and served as testimony to the greatness of these wild fish. Throughout the morning, I walked great distances, and fished a good variety of runs and pools in my travels; given the surprisingly few hookups I had either experienced or witnessed, I concluded that fish were probably taking advantage of warm, high water conditions ~ as I have previously stated, huge, turbulent flows allow fish to travel great distances with unimpeded ease and safety. I ended the day fishing a modest sized river located due North of Goderich, and as the sun squinted narrow on the horizon, I hooked a thick shouldered male winter Rainbow that wagered an epic fight; it was quite amazing to see him flash scarlet silver in the rust tinted tannic water. A gentle twist of my haemostats was all that was required to free the tiny hook from that fish, and it flipped off into the cool, darkness of the Lucknow. I searched Westward, over the majestic unforgiveness that is Lake Huron, and looked forward to my next adventure. Featured Photos:
Darkness Falls
Toward dusk
I may have to start calling you the Fish Whisperer the way your subjects sit pretty for your photo ops. I'm usually left with a blurred picture of a fish's tail as it rockets back to the depths, and a wet, muddy face whenever I try that.
ReplyDeleteWhen are you going to come down here and experience some of the big, bad L. Ontario Steel?
LOL!
ReplyDeleteThat second photo was sheer luck, after a good tug of war, that fish simply swam into the shallows, and rested on it's side. I never removed it from the water, I just plunked the rod & reel down, and took three photos, the "best' of which is shown.
If I could whisper for fish, I would do so, though I am more of an "oustide voices" type fellow, and I would yell for them.
See you on the river,
Joe