Ma-Ma said they’d be days like this….

“There I was Herb, hiding behind streamside vegetation zooming in with my binoculars and dialing in on the surface rises. A crimson colored fall steelhead was ever so gently sipping blue wing olive duns— yeah steelhead actively feeding on dries. On a guided trip the day before Kit had gotten me into two adults, amazingly both on dries; one pressing 7lbs… I will never be the same and now realize there are no boundaries when fishing for steelhead. That is why I was head hunting today and for the past hour and a half quite content watching the rhythmic feeding activity. The hatch phased and so did the feeding session. Time and reference points locked and loaded and I know where I will be tomorrow.

Solitude is rare in today’s busy line-ups— But when you find it!

It was a long night and I dreamed of free rising steelhead. The day arrived and there I was well prepared with my 3 wt., 5X, #18 quill dun, jazzed and in position well ahead of schedule. The hatch began and it didn’t take long the drifting duns inspired my hungry companion. Like a kid in a candy store it was my time to light it up. Just as I was stepping in, bash, boom, clang. Wow a drift boat sounded its way down the shallow riffle around the corner and was soon upon me. The logo signified a commercial boat and I respectfully asked the guide to hold up for just a few so I could deliver a couple casts to the feeding steelhead. As if my request went right over his head or fell upon deaf ears, he mentioned they had a long float and needed to get down river. So I asked if he would walk his boat close to shore as I excitedly pointed out the feeding steelhead. He blurted out that is a jumping salmon and to my disbelief proceeded to drift through the heart of the activity, running over my target and instructed his clients to start fishing directly below me. My feeding companion disappeared, my hopes sank and I was violated by a know-it-all, inconsiderate ass. I felt fortunate I was not in that boat.”

Negative stories and feedback like this get under my skin and prompted this current post. We hear BS like this much too often during periods of heavy angler/boating use. Whether it is blatant disrespect for others, severe case of dumb ass or simply a new kid on the block uncontrollably bouncing down the river in new boat, there is no excuse for disrespect and cutting off fellow anglers. Fortunately this is not the norm on our local waters.

Sweet rewards & worth every amount of effort.

No doubt angling pressure intensifies on the Trinity River throughout peak fall-winter steelhead runs each and every year. Recognizable time periods and conditions such as holidays-weekends, after November 15 (closing general trout season) prime times, as salmon runs expire, extended low flow conditions, low flow closures on coastal rivers and hyped up glowing reports smeared over the net/publications periodically align. Unfortunately when they do the river becomes saturated with an overflow of anglers. Finding productive waters can challenge even the most seasoned veterans.

Sure crowded conditions equate to limited prospects and can suppress expectations. Is it reason for disrespect, flared attitudes or being a hole hog? Sure guides have a responsibility to their clients. But at what sacrifice? Shouldn’t they be leaders of example and preaching the gospel? Sure bank and shore anglers have just as much right on the water as boating anglers. Shouldn’t they also respect boaters and other users? Anglers have a simple choice, when to go fishing or not go fishing; besides if crowded conditions persist there are other west coast steelhead options. So why blow your cool? Want more government regulations and river restrictions? Fall-Winter is the grand finale. The seasons and fishery many have dreamed and eagerly waited for all year. Its steelhead season man!

Common sense and respect goes a long way and can help to make unfavorable conditions more tolerable and enjoyable. Heading into peak steelhead seasons keep in mind, the majority of steelheaders share a common bond for the passion of the sport and love of a coastal legend. Regardless of chosen method steelheaders are probably more alike than not alike. Treat fellow anglers the way you would like to be treated. Who knows you just may find another fishing companion to share costs and stoke. To those who don’t get it I strongly suggest you read and re-read the following until you do. In the event you can’t play by the rules feel free not to attend. In the meantime the 2011-2012 steelhead seasons are well upon us. Feel fortunate there are fish in the system, possibly a few with your name on them. Recent rains have reopened new passages and zip codes for fresh run fish and coastal opportunities. Good chance it will also thin out the bulk and provide some rested waters and breathing room for anglers and fish as well. Solid Grabs!!!

Trinity fly shop & new heavy metal look.

Hey quick shop update. This past summer/early fall many of you stopped by and noticed the Trinity Fly Shop was under construction and some remodeling. Bottom line we needed more space for growth and inventory to better serve you. Finally it has all been completed and just in time for the fall-winter steelhead seasons.

While the economy has been in the reverse mode we felt no better time than now to use this time in a positive way, besides I was tired of getting razzed by my construction friends for pushing a 20 yr. comp roof 26 years. We finally dug deep and went heavy metal. The Trinity Fly Shop’s 8X12 pitch is now supporting a new metal roof that is fire resistant, reflects heat and carries a lighter snow load not to mention should last a lifetime. The 8X12 pitch supports a great walk through storage for inventory and misc. goods, freeing up office space and providing a bit more breathing room. Change is good however no more excuses for those lost notes, phone numbers, invoices and close quarters b/o.

Change is good-soft wears/lids remodel.

We removed the old classic upright wood burning stove and went electric. Yep the old burner served its purpose for 26 years, granted the dry heat often blew us all out of the shop and provided quick relief coming in from the wet and cold, and retirement was long overdue. The emissions were terrible not only to the environment but shop as well. Surprisingly we found out the old potbelly was actually illegal for resale so off to the recycle center. The entire corner has been cleared and re-opened. We had new rustic wood display shelving installed to better organize and display misc. soft goods and lids, not to mention open up more space; can actually turn around, at least for now.

Pat and Chris took a bull by the horns and stripped the walls of art/photos/ and other shop paraphernalia and sanded wear spots and prepped the walls/ceiling for a complete interior paint job. Whew labor intensive! However the rewards are sweet. The new paint job freshened up the shop’s interior and it’s amazing how much brighter, more cosmetically attractive and inviting it is. Now to cover it all back up with inventory, photos and artwork.

Regardless how bad or how good times may be people need to get away from their daily rigors & enjoy—time out & feel’n it!

With the new facelift what is the future of the Trinity Fly Shop? Regardless of how bad or how good times may be people need to get away from their daily rigors and enjoy. No better cure than to go fishing and stretch a line. We are here to fulfill your needs and help make your visit as enjoyable as possible. So we will continue to be here until you say enough. Until then we thank you for your loyal support. We also appreciate your comments and feedback although lately we have been hearing a lot of static, “why no on line shopping?” We apologize and ask to hang in there. Our recent efforts and new improvements are leading to new directions. By January 2012 Online Shopping will be available and we plan on providing you with our deadly flies, name brand soft wears and quality specialty goods, inspired by where we live and fish. It takes time to do it right and we settle for nothing less— our commitment to you and your friends. Trinity Fly Shop-Your Local Source!