RickB

After an unexpected free day, kids gone, wife at work, I had this sudden urge to wet a line. Tide was on the drop, the weather was overcast, bit of rain, bit of wind but nothing out of the ordinary for the Charlottes, a perfect day to head out. Now, before I carry on I have to come clean as this has been the longest time frame I have ever gone without wetting a line; here comes the confession. FISH Gods please forgive me as I have sinned, It had been three weeks since I have wet a line and three and half months before that!

Now that I gotten that out of the way....I just got a new line (325gr Skagit) for my Meiser 5/6 wt that I have had for 1.5 years and have never caste it.(embarrassed) It was time to take her for a spin. I went to the Tlell River hoping for a Steelhead but knowing the chances were slim and next to none. So, settling for some cutthroat, Dolly Varden and a few Grilse would cure the long over due withdrawal!

After a 30 minute drive down HWY 16, I'm on the river. Not a soul around except a crew of kingfishers, a hungry otter and the sound of eagles and eavens talking, nice and quiet. Time to assess the situation, as I grab a seat on the bank of the river, enjoying the moment while scoping the water for any indication of rising trout or moving minnows. After a relaxing 15 minute view of mother nature's IMAX, I was ready to do some angling.

I walked up to this little point, above what looked like the start of a deeper hole before the tailout of the run. While I was enjoying my relaxing moment, I noticed some small trout or coho smolts surfacing in that area, so it seemed like as good place as any to start. After playing around with the new line, cursing form lack practice and not knowing the rod I finally get my line out there, wasn't pretty but I was fishing. There wasn't much of a swing due to the lack of current at the top, so I started stripping in the line, long and slow strips. As luck would have it, first cast, first strip I hook a fish. Nice little cutty around 12 inches, land to hand, take a picture and back she goes. Now I was happy, with a big smile on my face, I was thinking, "I could go the rest of the day without seeing another fish and be happy," as my day was complete!!

Of course I wasn't done. I carried on fishing through the run for a good hour hooking cutty after cutty, it was very fun and I even got a couple small dollies, but no Grilse this time. It was nice to get out once again and I am now thinking about the next time I will be out, this weekend, Deena River, spring Steelhead. Can't wait!