Oregon Winter steelhead 2016

When the New York steelhead fishery slows down it's time to pack it up and head out west to coastal Oregon.  These two fisheries combine for an "endless summer" for any hardcore steelhead fisherman. I've found that the fish fight about the same, and the places that we catch them in the respective rivers is also similar.  Oregon runs tend to be deeper and steelhead hang near the bottom so longer leaders and heavier sink tips are usually needed to reach these winter steelhead.  I also find the casting on oregon rivers to be more demanding simply because of the shear magnitude of water.  This is why we do more boat fishing out west.  The water color and scenery is another reason for loving the fishing out here... 

Fat Alberts of September

The Albies are here in full force and it couldn't have come at a better time.  Bluefish were here in late July & August for short windows but as the water dipped back down to the mid 60's they departed leaving a mediocre Striped Bass fishery.  It is invigorating and fresh to find schools of busting fish on top for the majority of the day versus trying to scrape up Stripers with miles in between.

North Shore Fly rodding in Skinny water

 My Buddy Colin Barr sent this photo from his outing this morning in Key West.  Seeing Tarpon like this makes me want to head south permanently....

Dave's New Ankona Cayanne - Can't wait to go out on it!

Ocean temps warming and Stripers showing

Bent 6 wts and happy anglers.  This is what Schoolie action in PI Sound is all about!

A Mackeral with a small lamprey Eel attached - talk about the perfect striper bait

Alex Peru's Albie Snax from LCP - a perfect Sand Eel 

John Hansen from Orvis, timed his visit with Greasy Beaks perfectly - we caught juvenile stripers on light fly rods the entire morning.  A great guy to fish with!

My New Lowerance HDS Touch 2 marking the meat off of Boston Harbor.  I am so pleased with this unit!