The marine layer covered the lower river in a dense, impenetrable cloud. The mist shrouded the river transforming and turning a once familiar place into one cloaked in mystery. But slowly,as I wound my way up the river, that cloud dissipated and gave way to a glorious morning.

I arrived at a likely spot and got out of the truck to look around. The view from my high perch revealed the fish. It was a little farther out than normal due to the high water but it was there all the same. This was a fish holding in a spot that few people ever see and even fewer fish to. I watched the fish for several minutes as he surfed an underwater wave of the turbulent flow, resting in a breadbox sized cushion created by a spine of bedrock. He was deep in the tail out. It was heard to imagine that he could hold in this spot in these flows and yet there he was. Despite these conditions, he barely needed to flap a fin to remain in place, his aerodynamic body working with the current rather than against it. Similar to a wing on a plane where air flows along the wings leading edge to create lift, the water flow over the fish actually pushes the fish down and keeps him in the unseen underwater eddy.  This soft spot, this "soap dish" was a place that this fish could hold for hours, days or weeks. It was perfect and that is why he was there.

I watch mesmerized as the fish effortlessly holds, moving only slightly from side to side. He is rather large for a summer fish, as these early fish can be. Bright as a nickle and not a fin out of place. This fish is pristine. I watch his mouth open and close, and his gills pump oxygen to a heart that has brought him this far. This fish has endured much to get to this spot and he has found his home for the summer. The amazing will to further his kind is strong, his internal homing device more precise than any electronic gadget we know. All of the factors that trigger his initial push up the river are mysterious and unknown. I watch for a few more minutes and leave the spot without fishing, just satisfied with this early brief visual encounter.

This is one of God's great creatures. I am awed to be able to see and chase these fish on a river that defies description. I too have found a resting place, it is in the protection of God, the maker of heaven and earth.

Where is your resting place?

 Psalm 18:2-The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;

 Very well made video. Class act guy as well. We met briefly last year at the NFS campout. He and I jockeyed for runs every morning. One morning he beat me into a favorite run and it paid off for him. I was stoked for him. The next morning I beat him into the same run and got blanked.........so it goes.Good times!

How are you going to approach steelhead this coming summer? Are you going to do what you always do or break out of your comfort zone and try something you haven't tried? What technique have you been dying to try out for summer fish but just haven't had the skill, confidence,or time to explore? Are your lines and rods getting shorter and shorter? Do you like a single hand rod in summer? Do you find yourself gravitating back to longer rods and lines? Do you wonder if traditional style steelhead flies tied on hooks still work? Do you long to fish a waked or skated fly? Are you always fishing to catch fish or can you be completely satisfied with fishing good water well and moving on? Do you fish for pleasure or are you driven by something far greater that you can't explain? Is fishing for you a team sport that you enjoy doing with others or would you rather be a lone wolf? What makes being on the river special for you? Do you listen to the hype on the latest and greatest thing in fly fishing or do you just shake your head and and resume doing what you know works for you? What is your reason for pursuing steelhead? Can you even explain it? How do you feel at the end of a fish less day? How about after multiple fish less days? How do you feel after a multiple fish day? Is it the same? Can it be the same? How do you measure success? Can you ever really have a bad day on the river? What are you doing to ensure the river you fish remains the place you have always known? Who do you want to fish with this summer? What friends do you find yourself fishing with most? What makes a good fishing partner? Is there anyone out there with the same values you share? Do you leave the river better than when you found it? Are your riverside exchanges with others positive? If not,what can you do to make them more positive?Are you teaching others to love and steward the resource that you currently enjoy. Who is carrying the torch after you are gone? Are you sharing information and ideas freely with those who may need to draw from your experience on the river?

These questions and many more will be answered as you fish, interact and engage with the rivers we love.

   I have a love hate relationship for this time of year. I am always a little antsy when I don't fish for a few weeks.This is that time of year where winter fish are about over and summer fish are still out in the ocean....at least on the North. As spring slowly comes into view,it is that the time to look forward to another summer of dry lines and dry flies. It's a good time to recharge and spend some down time. Tying flies, hanging with the family etc. I have been on the hill a bit and skiing takes my mind off not fishing.Skiing is my first love and I will always do it. Steelhead and the pursuit of them are a close second and have my full attention during all the non winter months.

I am honestly looking forward to some warmer weather and some hot early fish, it's not too far away now if we can just get through the days in between.

See ya out there soon

I love this song from Tab Benoit based on Psalm 91

Enjoy it!

Psalm 91

³ Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;