Elusive & don’t come easy. Be well prepared to accept the challenge.

They’re in! What are you waiting for? Stoke up your confidence and accept the challenge of a lifetime. Tie on a favorite fly and go catch a steelhead. Experience a staggering surface eruption from an illuminated profile inhaling a skating dry. Feel the power of an arm wrenching wet fly grab that surges straight into the core of your backing. Enjoy the eye- level high coiled aerial displays and electrifying bursts of power that ignites the high pitch of a screaming reel throttling into overdrive. Out of breathe out of control. Oh yeah!!!

At the blink of an eye the 1X departs and line goes limp. Oh Shit! Heart throbbing hands shaking and a sudden haunting silence; you manage to put it together and closely inspect knots and tippit. Disappointment sets in. You discover equipment failure. Last year’s tippit simply didn’t cut it. To lose a fish out of control is one thing but to fall victim to last year’s old tippit material, well there is just no excuse for Dumb-Ass.

Early steelhead of this size/ quality are simply a holy terrier & ass kicker. Just ask Bob Jones.

When steelheading you always need to bring you’re A-game. Opportunities are far and few between and there is little room to falter. Ask any veteran steelheader, a major attribute of a steelhead’s mystical world is if there is anything that can go wrong it will and more times than not to your benefit. So how does one maintain the positive edge and keep the odds in their favor? No better way to begin than to invest the time and effort and follow through with an annual preseason inventory and maintenance punch list.

Wade Gear/Software
Waders—Check for leaks and make repairs. No cure for soggy drawers-popsicle toes.
Wading Boots—Check laces, felts/studs. Replace for positive traction. Get a grip! (Rubber soles may be fine standing in a drift boat or wading meadow/still-waters—but don’t cut it on western steelhead rivers).
Wade Belts—adjust for proper fitting for all waders/clothing—especially if not used in a while.
Rain gear—Check for leaks and waterproofing, comfort/dryness enhances confidence.
Vests-Satchels-Chest packs—Make sure waterproof, lube zippers, check buckles, snaps, velcro pockets for tears/holes/wear, organize and always maintain/keep handy current fish licenses/tags, pen.
Gear-Bag/Boat bag— misc. items for single/multi-outings; hats, gloves, sunglasses, wind-cutter, extra fleece, camera, pen, flashlight, knife, snacks, h20, duct tape, wader patch, sun block, insect repel, band-aids/advil, backup tackle/gear, plastic bags etc…If you think you may need it, at some point you will.
Rod Tubes/Scabbards—lube zippers, inventory back up rods, reels. Write (with permanent marker) your name/contact no. on all tubes— Can’t return ‘em if there is no contact number.
Landing hand—great net option that easily stores in vest/satchel or gear/boat bag. You’re third hand!
Wading Staff—Check durability for dependability, lube fold staffs, and inspect all cords, clips, holsters.

Rods/Reels/Lines
Fly Rods—Check wraps, closely inspect tip- tops/ stripping guides for wear, reel seats for loose foot screws, positive grip, wax all ferrules, tape loose ferrules (especially switch/spey rods).
Reels—Check chassis, reel mounts, drag systems, spools, and all working components (lube when necessary—especially non-sealed disk drags)). Smooth rotation with zero hesitation.
Fly lines— Closely inspect for wear/cracks (especially tied/welded loop ends). When in doubt replace ’em. Floating lines dress with high quality line dressing (Russ peak/Aquel) every other time out. Multi-tip lines check inventories & storage wallets for line selections/ conditions, unspool ¼ backing on all reels/spools to ensure no binding/tangles, annually( or whenever needed) replace all butt sections and re-tie all knots to backing, leader up all lines, backup lines and tips with fresh new leaders/tippits.

Flies/Terminal Tackle
Flies—inventory and stock in multi sizes/weights (dries/skaters, wets, nymphs, streamers,), organize/label/categorize in appropriate fly boxes (Trinity River-Klamath R.-Umpqua R. etc). You never have too many flies to compliment a variety of techniques water conditions and rivers. Buy or tie Quality flies on quality irons—they don’t come back!
Misc. terminal tackle—Inventory and replace (out with the old) tippit,butt section material/leaders (buy new and quality) nippers, zingers, hook hone, hemos/pliers/scissors, thermometer, tape measure (de-liar), lead-shot, needle tube/bobbin, floatants, reel lube, line dressings..

All this may sound a bit tedious or labor intensive but remember your gear/tackle is the major link to you and your quarry not to mention a vital key to success. Take care of it NOW so it will take care of you later. Sure this punch list isn’t the ultimate answer for steelheading success. However following through with a thorough preseason tune up and being well prepared is sure to keep you further away from licking your wounds and hanging on to loose ends. Get with it & Get Out there!!!

Trinity Fly Shop is filled to the gills for your needs – Open seven days a week. Your Local Source

In solid! – Ooh feel the power!

Some of my most enjoyable and memorable guided fishing trips is with children and the younger generation. There is nothing quite like observing their wide-eye fascination of the great outdoors while teaching them how to cast and fish. Their high energy free spirit and willingness to learn are all the desirable traits that jazz a fishing guide or instructor. The entire experience can only be highlighted by the fortune of good luck and witnessing their first catch. Some Youngblood’s are gifted and natural born anglers. Remarkably at an early age they develop skills and talent that rapidly blossom into consistent success. We have witnessed many fall victims to a lifelong passion and addiction. This past spring-summer both Kit and I were fortunate to guide and fish with the following young lineup I personally feel, in one way or another, you will be hearing about them sometime in the near future.

NAME: Conner Laursen
AGE: 17
RESIDENCE: Auburn, Ca.
FAVORITE WATERS/FISH: Mexico-Ca. (Trinity River-Lewiston Lk.) Dorado-Steelhead-Trout.
AMBITION: Engineering/welding

Conner Laursen terrorizing Lewiston trout.

Conner is well traveled and by the age of 15 he has fished more exotic fresh and salt water destinations than most anglers in a lifetime. (Mexico-South America-Africa-Montana-Idaho). Because of his background and exposure to both fresh and salt water fisheries Conner has a solid power stroke fully loaded by an enhanced double haul that will rival most. He is a small giant. His delivery is generally point blank (often casting too far) and knows how to back it up. Always positive and determined Conner maintains a strong not if but when attitude searching favorite waters for steelhead and trout. I have guided Conner for the past three years and learned to not under estimate his quiet and casual demeanor—More times than not he cashes in on screaming dividends.

NAME: Tristan Mihan
AGE: 15
RESIDENCE: Cottage Grove, Or.
FAVORITE WATERS/FISH: Trinity-Lewiston-Trinity Lks. Steelhead-Salmon-Trout-Bass
AMBITION: Pro baseball pitcher

Tristan Mihan & fresh run Chinook slab.

I have watched Tristan grow and develop since he was a baby. He is Kit Kreick’s nephew so that explains a lot. At a very early age Tristan was exposed to both fishing and hunting thanks to Uncle Kit. Natural progression led him to take up fly fishing. A south paw, Tristan delivers a more relaxed forward stroke resembling a true “west coast steelheader’s windup.” He currently is a freshman baseball pitcher playing varsity ball and that may very well influence his casting style. Even though Tristan is currently living in Oregon, a state of many fishing options, he has always maintained a passion for his home waters—the Trinity. He knows them well. Whether it is target hunting for selective feeding trout or dissecting waters for steelhead, Tristan always maintains patience which is so vital to success. His approach can best be summed up like a Tim Lincecum—fast ball, slider and on full count have the balls to throw a change-up. Tristan is never afraid to step out of bounds to be successful.

NAME: Kaii Burton
AGE: 12
RESIDENCE: West Palm Beach, Fl.
FAVORITE WATERS/FISH: Florida-Ca. (Trinity River-Lewiston Lk.) Tarpon-Snook-Kingfish-Redfish-Peacock Bass-Salmon-Trout.
AMBITION: Professional fishing Guide

Kaii Burton in natural rhythm.

Not until this past summer had I seen Kaii Burton in full action. Some anglers are good, whether it be skill, luck, mojo or whatever you call it. Kaii has it and knows how to use it. Living right on the water Kaii was exposed to Florida fresh and saltwater fishing at an early age by his father Paul and Grandfather Mark. Currently he targets just about anything that swims anytime he can. This summer he visited us for two weeks and continuously out fished anyone willing to wet a line with him. His conventional skills are off the charts. We exposed him to fly fishing and first time out he terrorized Lewiston trout up to 4 lbs… He is a natural born caster with unique ability to read and effectively fish promising waters. His mind is like a sponge, absorbing all the advice offered and asks the right questions. His favorite rod is a classic slow-medium Powell “West Branch” 5 Wt… He vowed to follow through with the long stick in Florida—Flats anglers beware.

NAME: Mason Sayre
AGE: 6
RESIDENCE: Vacaville, Ca.
FAVORITE WATERS/FISH: Anywhere and whatever is biting.
AMBITION: At the moment-Pro baseball player

Mason Sayre puts the pressure to ‘em!

At the ripe age of 6 Mason Sayre sheds some outstanding prospects for becoming a very talented angler.
Sure I’m biased -Mason is our grandson. After devoting 29 years of commercial guiding I have seen what it takes. If you’ve got it you’ve got it. Not a coincidence or fluke, time and time again Mason has demonstrated he has the best of both, skill and luck. Just ask anyone who has fished with him especially his father, Chad, who he often out fishes. Addicted to the grab, it makes no difference what or where he fishes. Mason simply enjoys being outdoors. Starting out with a 6’ Cortland GRF1000 fly rod Mason learned a basic 30 ft. cast. This summer he has progressed to a 9’ Echo 5wt. yep, 9’ and even tried a clear- camo sinking line with success. Mason has a long way to go. If he continues to focus and peruse fishing he is sure to become an all-star angler.

It is encouraging and comforting to see new young anglers in the line ups. They represent the next shift not to mention the future of our resources is in the hands of the younger generations. Opportunity, encouragement, support and humor fuels the stoke. Let’s keep’em out there!