All the soreness left my back, and legs as I posed with
my fish. I felt very grateful that the fishing gods blessed
us with rain and high stained water that day!
All this just to release the fish back into the river to
continue its migration up river to spawn. Letting the
fish go is a fitting end to the pursuit.
After a long day of fishing, it’s tough to pull off your
boots, waders, and various layers of clothes. The
cuts on your frozen fingers burn, and when your feet
defrost, it doesn’t tickle. Next, it’s off to get some dinner
and either to sleep at one of the many area hotels, or
in the car to go home. Either way the thought of the
days fishing and the excitement of the next time, take
over the conversation. Anthony usually always gives
his famous “I love seelheading” at this point. Four and
a half hours later or more, I finally am home. I usually
28
get mobbed by my two young sons, and I always think
about when they will be able to come with me.
When I tell people what goes into steelheading, they
all think that it’s insane, and that we are crazy fishing
for the mighty steelhead. I never disagree, and I tell
them
“This
is
what
steelheaders do!”
die
hard
Frank DeGrazio’s website:
www.hendricksonspinnerflyfishing.com
He runs guided trips to the Salmon River for salmon
and steelhead.
Photos courtesy of Nick Boehme