Fishing with my buddies

A steady and cold rain was falling on the Rogue River last Thursday when Jim Powers, Steve Kyle, Les Vadasz and I embarked on drift boats piloted by guides Jim Andras and Dave Teitzel and begin casting for steelhead.|

A steady and cold rain was falling on the Rogue River last Thursday when Jim Powers, Steve Kyle, Les Vadasz and I embarked on drift boats piloted by guides Jim Andras and Dave Teitzel and begin casting for steelhead.

Fluffy puffs of mist drifted through the streamside trees, muting their brilliant fall colors.

The water was clear but with a slight green hue, indicating the rain was adding some color. It was a good time to be on the Rogue again with good friends.

For reasons that have a lot more to do with luck than skill, Jim and I fishing with Jim Andras had the hot boat. The trout and steelhead liked what we were offering.

The rain continued to fall and the cold dampness of the air seemed to seep through our waders and parkas, yet the action kept our focus on fishing.

By the end of the afternoon, Jim and I had combined to catch and release seven large steelhead, one coho salmon, and a countless number of sea-run cutthroat trout and rainbows. By any measure, it was an exceptional day.

Meanwhile, Les landed two big steelhead, while Steve fished and enjoyed the scenery.

The next day also started cold and damp but became clear by mid-morning. It was more comfortable for us, but the overnight rain had changed both the color and temperature of the water, slowing the fishing.

Les and Steve, fishing with Jim Andras, caught lots of small trout, while Jim and I fished with Dave and had a slow morning.

By lunch, none of us had landed a steelhead.

Then my luck changed. We were drifting through a deep run when my line tightened and I set the hook. It felt like I had snagged the bottom, until the bottom began to move across the river.

It turned out to be an eight-pound native steelhead that took me 15 minutes to bring to the net.

A little while later, something big and strong grabbed Jim’s nymph and headed east like a runaway 1957 Buick. The fish kept taking line and running back upstream while Dave had to row against the heavy current to keep it from breaking the line. For a while it was hit and miss whether the fish or Dave would wear out first.

After more than 20 minutes, Jim managed to get the steelhead close enough for Dave to net. It was a very heavy and fit male that was well over 10 pounds.

Steve and Les caught lots more small trout.

As fishing buddies are prone to do, over dinner at one of Ashland’s many fine restaurants we debated the level of skill exhibited by Jim and me that led to our vastly superior performance during those two days.

Winter steelhead action will continue to be good on the Rogue and a trip there is made even more enjoyable with a stay in Ashland. Call Rachel Andras at Andras Outfitters to book a trip, 530-722-7992.

Weather permitting, fishing closer to Sonoma will be good for rock and lingcod off Bodega Bay. Call Rick Powers at Bodega Bay Sportsfishing at 875-3344. Inside the bay, striped bass fishing is still good. Call Keith Fraser at 415-456-0321 for the latest information and to book a party boat.

A steady and cold rain was falling on the Rogue River last Thursday when Jim Powers, Steve Kyle, Les Vadasz and I embarked on drift boats piloted by guides Jim Andras and Dave Teitzel and begin casting for steelhead.

Fluffy puffs of mist drifted through the streamside trees, muting their brilliant fall colors.

The water was clear but with a slight green hue, indicating the rain was adding some color. It was a good time to be on the Rogue again with good friends.

For reasons that have a lot more to do with luck than skill, Jim and I fishing with Jim Andras had the hot boat. The trout and steelhead liked what we were offering.

The rain continued to fall and the cold dampness of the air seemed to seep through our waders and parkas, yet the action kept our focus on fishing.

By the end of the afternoon, Jim and I had combined to catch and release seven large steelhead, one coho salmon, and a countless number of sea-run cutthroat trout and rainbows. By any measure, it was an exceptional day.

Meanwhile, Les landed two big steelhead, while Steve fished and enjoyed the scenery.

The next day also started cold and damp but became clear by mid-morning. It was more comfortable for us, but the overnight rain had changed both the color and temperature of the water, slowing the fishing.

Les and Steve, fishing with Jim Andras, caught lots of small trout, while Jim and I fished with Dave and had a slow morning.

By lunch, none of us had landed a steelhead.

Then my luck changed. We were drifting through a deep run when my line tightened and I set the hook. It felt like I had snagged the bottom, until the bottom began to move across the river.

It turned out to be an eight-pound native steelhead that took me 15 minutes to bring to the net.

A little while later, something big and strong grabbed Jim's nymph and headed east like a runaway 1957 Buick. The fish kept taking line and running back upstream while Dave had to row against the heavy current to keep it from breaking the line. For a while it was hit and miss whether the fish or Dave would wear out first.

After more than 20 minutes, Jim managed to get the steelhead close enough for Dave to net. It was a very heavy and fit male that was well over 10 pounds.

Steve and Les caught lots more small trout.

As fishing buddies are prone to do, over dinner at one of Ashland's many fine restaurants we debated the level of skill exhibited by Jim and me that led to our vastly superior performance during those two days.

Winter steelhead action will continue to be good on the Rogue and a trip there is made even more enjoyable with a stay in Ashland. Call Rachel Andras at Andras Outfitters to book a trip, 530-722-7992.

Weather permitting, fishing closer to Sonoma will be good for rock and lingcod off Bodega Bay. Call Rick Powers at Bodega Bay Sportsfishing at 875-3344. Inside the bay, striped bass fishing is still good. Call Keith Fraser at 415-456-0321 for the latest information and to book a party boat.

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