The happy, warm, fuzzy days of summer are gone, as are the free rising steelhead. It's time to get dirty, creepy and anti-social. Lying to friends and family about your whereabouts, listening to Tool, wading nips deep on your tip-toes to reach that pocket above a class 4 you just know there's one in, mobbing down a cliff on the off chance there may be one living in that tail-out, T-20, XL lead eyes, 6 inch long flies. Yup, the good stuff.

The hard won reward, a wild, ocean bright hen.

Winter fish don't come easy, you've got to be dedicated and willing to put in the time. Getting the skunk is inevitable, it's gonna happen, don't let that stop you. With the coastal rivers constantly in flux, time on the water is the key to winter success, learning where the fish hold at different flows is crucial. Winter waters hold their secrets tightly and so should you.

Dancing pines and the light that shines.

Wading and fishing a wild coastal river is as good as it gets for me. The beauty of both the rivers and fish that return to them are unbeatable. These are special places.

Another wild hen, just a beauty. Many jumps and a take like she took it running down stream.

Eating good is another key.

How many times have you bought this beer while fishing for them?

One the handsomest bucks I've seen in a while. Love the lack of spotting.

Not too many off these around right now.

One of the best lines I've heard from a gear guy in a long time, it's a long story and I don't feel like finger punching the whole thing, " I saw you was a fly guy and I thought, man, are we gonna have to kick sum's ass right now?" He also spouted off this gem, " Not all the steelheads in this river are ocean run, there sum that are indiggness or sumpin, natives I dunno..." Just know he was a good dude and one you'd want on your side.

Another beautiful hen, I've seen more hens this year than bucks, I ain't complaining.

Go fishing with high hopes and no expectations...

Be good,

Rich & Bo

www.steelheadwater.com

There is a empty feeling in my stomach and also a sigh of relief and renewal. For me, my winter steelhead season has come to an end.

Exciting, taxing, heart-stopping, scary at times, humbling and most of all rewarding are just a few words to describe the past few months.

"Proof, the sun does shine on a dogs ass now and again", Rick Knapp with a 41' x 21' buck.

I'd just got done telling Rick what I wanted, a big hen, 14 or 16lbs would be nice. Next cast, the skagit dives, "there's one" he says, not a hen but, hardly a disappointment.

Kelsey and her first steelhead, not a bad grip with hot pink polish.

Kelsey and Dean worked hard through the high water we suffered, 3 days for one lost fish. The fourth day was just about perfect, 3 for 3 ain't so bad.

Heart-warming steelhead, Dean Mades with a stunning sea-liced 33' hen,....perfect

We saw many different water conditions this year, as always. But we saw a lot more low and clear on the coast than usual, which made for tough fishing at times. Even in near perfect conditions we saw some tough fishing, that's winter steelheading, nothing good comes easy, nor it should anyways.

Pete Laskier with a clear-finned hen, 1 of 2 landed outta 3 hooked in 1 run, "The Dude Abides".

Jed Fiebelkorn admiring a handsome buck, keep an eye out this fall on the Sportsman Channel for Trout Unlimited's "On The Rise" program.

It has been a hell of a ride and I'm already looking forward to next year and what it'll bring, hopefully more of the same.

Thanks to all who came fishing with me this winter.

Rich