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Yesterday, I caught the best steelhead of my life. There was an overhanging tree on the far side of the river. Some of its branches were in the water creating a strainer effect. I cast 10 feet above the tree and let my line float as close to the tree as possible without getting hung up on the tree. Just past the center point of the drift, my balloon indicator twitched. I applied a downstream hook-set and the line ripped out from under the tree, upstream and into shallow water. I maintained downstream pressure on the fish. The fish then turned its head and made a blistering run down river. At this point, I knew this was a big steelhead. I held my ground and fought the fish trying to apply ample pressure but not too much pressure. Just as quickly as the steelhead had shot downstream, it shot back upstream. I reeled my line in quickly but could not keep up with the speed of the fish. All of the slack in my line led me to believe that my steelhead of a lifetime had eluded me once again. Then just as quickly as I thought he was gone I realized he was still hooked. The fish had displayed and used its speed tactics and now reverted to strength. The fish used all its strength and bulldogged downstream. I tried my best to maintain consistent pressure and gain line with every opportunity as the fish and I worked downstream together. Then we came to a crossroads where victory and

defeat would be decided. The slower water that I had been fishing was about to merge with huge white water. If the fish were to get much further below me, he would be victorious. I had to hold my ground and it was land him here or never. We patiently fought a battle of inches and I won. It felt good to win, because I have been beat many times. To date, this is my best steelhead ever. I spent time reviving and admiring this fish and released him to the water where he belongs.