I got smoked today by two steelhead on the Upper Rogue. I ran out this morning at dawn in search of a grab. The river was kinda busy for a Wednesday. When I arrived at the ramp this morning there were already 5 jetboats and one driftboat on the water. I met a guy launching his boat and his comment was "hmm, I wonder why it's so busy this morning? Must be some fish around, ey?" I took that as a good sign.

I fished a full floater through the head of this nice run only to find a mega willy grab. After getting back from a trip into the woods, I switched up to a medium sink 10" versa leader because the light was getting on the water. I tied on a version of a Green Butt Skunk. I fished it for a hundred yards and the willies wouldn't touch it. I was losing confidence in the fly. I wanted to change it. I gave it one more cast and midway through the swing it came tight. I medium sized hot steely peeled off some line, did a couple jumps, and then ran to the nearest snag. I reeled in a nice stick.

 

A little further down river I hooked another steelie. It pulled off about 20 feet of line and popped off. Same fly.

 

Saw Gary Anderson and Al Perriman on the river. Gary reported that he hooked one.

 

No fish pics. Maybe next time.