Swing the Fly Issue 3.1 Summer 2015 | Page 106

"Here it is." Chick pointed down. Mike could just see the spot on the ledge where you needed to stand to fish the run. All chalked up from years of standing, swinging and secretly praying for a tug. "The cold is nice." Mike said as he exhaled and pulled out a beat up Wheatley that his grandfather had passed to him. His fingers were still waking up so getting the damn box open without letting it drop into the current kept him focused. Focusing was good, it made him relax.

 

"Hey Chick, what are we fishing today? I got some of the usual suspects from the shop a long time ago. Tourist flies mostly."

"Come on, it’s the Camp Water. Throw a Green Butt Skunk, see if you can't move one around, if you don't, I give you one I tied last night."

"Ok you’re the pro.” Mike said sarcastically. “I’ll follow your lead today."

Fast forward another decade. The movement is shifting again to smaller and lighter. Guides such as Marty Sheppard and Brian Silvey have been preaching 11 foot, 5 weights for steelhead since the “Curse of the Bambino.” For me, a small rod with a narrow profile grip allows me to leverage power and fits better for a smaller person with petite hands. When Gary Anderson gifted our daughter, Tegan, with a

beautiful, sleek and petite rod we dubbed the “Tegan model” 8.8 feet - 5 weight, three years ago, I discovered that even smaller rods were silly fun and still had the power to land a steelhead too. Today, many companies including Gary Anderson Custom Rods, Sage, Winston and Echo are making Spey rods now dubbed “Micro Speys” to accommodate the shifting trend of smaller and lighter. to the exact location of this place is fish hard, but also open your eyes to see the river in its entirety. I know my heart is at its best doing my best in a river that contains even a hint of a chance of hooking a fish. The satisfaction gained by doing something in the purest manner available is unforgettable and those memories capture the soft spots in my heart.

This sport is a life-long pursuit of hope in the form of a fish. We all will continue to search for the Steelhead Eden of our dreams.