Blog

 So I was heading home and my truck just decided it should go the long way and next thing I knew I was with my three and a half year old and DRO guide, Matt Carter, on the North Umpqua.  What a shock!  Now I love the Deschutes, don't get me wrong, but the North Ump has to be one of the most beautiful places on planet earth.  It holds a special place in my soul, no doubt.  So special I proposed to my wife there.  

If you know or have heard anything about this fabled water, it is also considered to be the finishing school for swinging summer steelhead.  This is one tough river. Tough wading, long technical casts, total Phd steelheading. I love it, but it doesn't cough up fish super easily.  


Well I knew with my little buddy in tow I was not going to be up before first light with a head lamp claiming any runs like the "Station".  I was getting up when we got up. Normally I spend more time playing pirate and building forts than fishing on a good day with Jack while trying to chase steel.  Expectations for total domination were low for me to say the least.

Matt's plan was to hit it early. Normal steelheading procedure. I told him to swing by camp at around 7:30 or 8, we MIGHT be ready roll. You can't push a toddler, cranky Jack would not be good for anyone.

We rolled out at the crack of 9:30. When I saw Matt's truck still there I smirked. I figured the late night beer infused story telling session got the best of him. While Jack and I greeted the day with powdered donuts and chocalate milk, Matt wandered back with rod in hand. He did make it up, came back and strolled up the trail to fish a run waiting for us.


Short story long, we hit the water at 10. Luckily I had a hunch on a run or two that held shade late, so off we went.  Matt took the tough wade out to a mid river rock pile to swing this great tail out ( not a Jack approved run). We took the easy one upriver. Jack found a stick that looked like the perfect bow and arrow for some heavy duty dragon slaying.  Dad flipped out his second long bomb of a cast ( a booming 20 footer or so).  Right then and there the steelhead gods tapped me on the shoulder and a beauty of a wild fish climbed on and climbed on with reckless abandon. The look on Matt's face as I hooped and hollered was priceless.  Early bird gets the worm my eye.  Sorry no photo.  She was a gorgeous wild fish, fat and sassy and everything right in this world. Honestly I thought I was going to wear white stripes that day and didn't think leaving toddler snacks in the truck in lieu of a camera was worth it.  Thanks steelhead gods. I'll take lucky over good every time.