Luke and I have been fishing together for a good number of years now. We first met at a local sporting goods store were we both worked part time. He was just getting into fly fishing then, and was asking lots of questions on just about everything. He is now one of the best fly fisherman I know!Rich is also a guy I met at work. He is retired and has been fly fishing pretty much his whole life. He is someone that I go to for info on our local trout streams. Yet another great fly fisherman.Fast forward to April 2nd 2009 – Today we all met at a favorite Lake Ontario tributary. One that has provided some fantastic memories and lots of fish. But, not when we have fished it together. In fact the fishing has stunk when ever we have gotten together. A skunk was following us where ever we fished together – at least that is how we looked at it. We even joked that we should just go by ourselves. That way we would at least get into some fish. And for the most part it was the truth. Until today!Rich and I arrived at the bridge right around 9:30 am. We got our gear together and headed downstream to meet up with Luke, who had already been fishing since daybreak.When we saw him walk around the bend, he was wearing a big smile. I asked if he had a good morning, he replied “It’s been a great morning!” He then showed us some photos of a steelhead and brown that were both close to 10 lbs. He also said he had hooked a few more fish that shook free after a few seconds. This is exactly what we wanted to hear. And the water conditions could not have been better.We walked a little further downstream until we found a good run, and began casting our flies, hoping for a take. We continued to cast and work our way down slowly, covering every bit of water. Then Luke said he saw a fish in a run he was fishing just downstream from us. The fish had come out and followed his fly but didn’t take. He said I should take some drifts through it. Who am I to argue! A couple of drifts later my indicator dipped and I set up on a fish that went crazy! Head shakes, cartwheeling jumps and strong runs was the name of the game. And a few minutes later I slid the net under a super bright hen steelhead of about 9 lbs.Next Rich stepped into the run and started drifting his fly to a few more fish we spotted. He stayed at it for a while with no takers. I was leaving soon, so when he stepped out of the run to pick out a new fly, I gave it one last shot. I made drift after drift until I got a fish to take. But, this fish didn’t fight like the first fish I had caught. It fought down and dirty. This fish stayed in the run and did not want to be moved. Soon I realized it was a big brown of at least 10 lbs. I worked the fish into the shallows where I tried to put a net under it, but as I was sliding the fish in, the hook popped out and he or she swam downstream. Oh well….that’s the way it goes.It was time for me to go so I shook their hands, said goodbye and left them to hook into some more trout. Rich worked his way back into the run and as I was walking around the bend, he hooked up with his first lake Ontario tributary steelhead. The fly he picked out worked! He carefully played his first steelhead perfectly and soon Luke happily put the net under a beautiful 7 lb. hen.This is what we were waiting for, a day where we could all enjoy “catching” fish together. It may have taken a while for everything to come together, but it was worth it! We were truly blessed today. And we got rid of that horrible skunk!
Right On!!! Lot’s of guys say, “It’s not all about catching.” or “That’s why they call it fishing and not catching.” and all those kinds of cliche’ statements. I don’t know much, but I do know that moral can and usually does take a BIG nosedive the during long stretches of no hook ups and no caught fish. So, though I agree and its pretty obvious that “its not all about catching,” I also realize that “catching” tends to result in a lot of fun and great memories. After all, if it weren’t about “catching” we could save ourselves a lot of aggrevation and time and money and just become bird watchers or hikers or something of that nature. So, with that said .. Awesome work guys! You all paid your dues together and for some reason or another the fish gods did not want to give you any “luck” when you were all together. And, on one hand, all of those “skunk” trips together must have sucked; big time. But, when it finally all came together for you on this trip – it must have felt so awesome! And, as a crew, you guys all got it done and finally everything aligned for you .. and that, in my opinion, is what makes for great fly fishing buddies, legendary fly fishing trips and life long memories. I can think of many friends with whom I have fished together with for many years and for the first couple trips it seemed that every card was stacked against us and we couldn’t buy a single hook-up or a single fish. But, almost as if it was meant to be, when we finally got “our day” .. it was epic and all of the skunks and disapointments of trips gone by were alleviated in one epic trip. And, nothing feels better than “success” when you and your crew feel as though its been earned! Congrats to you and everyone in your crew! Great fish tale!
Congrats on breaking the skunk juju. Great looking fish.
Sweet! I guess it’s time to travel. I haven’t been out there in 2 years, your story motivated me. Keep the coffee hot!
Right on!! I have never made a Lakes trip but I think based on your article and the stories of a few friends of mine it just might be the time. Tight lines and screaming reels. doesn’t get much better.
Sweet fish tale B! The skunk has followed me on my last two outings to the ontario tribs this year… it makes my day to see you caught some fish! If I am REALLY lucky, I might get to hit the Ontario tribs one more time this spring (If I can get the wife to sign my permission slip) Congrats on such a nice outting!!!
Thanks everyone for the comments. It certainly is nice to share “fish tales” with other fly fisherman. It was a great day for sure! I look forward to reading some of your spring steelhead tales! I hope you all can get out soon.
Great story, glad to be in your crew.. The new season is quickly approaching!