Good afternoon and happy fishing to all of you.
Each year I plan a trip called the FFT (Friends Fly-fishing Together), pick a destination and a species to fish for and send out the invite to all who are willing to leave their wives, kids, and work for a perfect escape. One individual, and one of my closest friends has made most of the trips, in fact learned the art of fly-fishing from me. (Or at least that’s what I tell myself)
This is where the story begins.
In early November, both John and I, along with two other fishing companions set out in search of steelhead. We picked a river that none of us had fished, understanding that it would take a day to learn the river and all that it has to offer. The weather was to be over cast, rainy and a chance of snow, but not to cold. We all thought “perfect steelheading weather”
After a large breakfast and lots of coffee to warm the blood, we set out in search of fish. We were knee deep in the river at 6:45am, casting our 7 weights and watching our indicator rigs attentively. Both John and I had not said a word, totally focused, and waiting for the twitch of the yarn. As I watched John’s arm rise and at the same time, saying “you got him” I set the hook. His fish charged up stream, mine headed down stream. John waded under my raised arm and stayed focused and calm on his fish. (I need to mention, that I have been with John every time he has hooked a large fish, and most times he gets so excited with anticipation that he tends to freak out) After what seemed like an eternity John’s fish was landed then mine. We did not measure the fish. We removed the egg patterns, took a quick picture and released both of them back to the river.
Fishing with friends is the ultimate experience. When you experience a double, with one of your closest friends, with some of the largest browns you have ever seen, how do you beat that?
Throughout the day we searched for steelhead, only sticking two, for a few moments. We did however manage to land a few more browns throughout the weekend.
The river you ask? One of the many fine tributaries of Lake Michigan along the Wisconsin shore.
Sincerely,
Rich Youngberg (the one with the smaller brown)
Have a great day.
