Steelhead – Occidentalist

Steelheading and Stargazing

Post author:Occidental
Post published:2021-03-02
Post category:Fishing River
Post comments:0 Comments

We headed out late on a snowy Friday in February with plans for steelhead and stars, and neither was looking too promising. Brand new telescope packed away in the back seat, we hoped to get a chance to see what it would do, but obviously you need clear skies to see the stars. Steelhead, well, who knows. It is getting late in the season, but we were headed a ways up river, and I figure you can’t win if you don’t play!

We arrived after dark at Priest Hole and settled in for the night. We had the place nearly to ourselves, with one other camp a bit downriver that left the next morning. The river had a jump in flows in the day or two before our arrival, but was on the fall. Maybe a good sign? I haven’t ever targeted steelhead on the John Day and have always been on it in the warmer months chasing the plentiful bass. I think I still have a bit to figure out, but what a beautiful place to spend the weekend!

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Out and About, 2021

Post author:Occidental
Post published:2021-02-24
Post category:Coast Fishing
Post comments:1 Comment

Despite all the news to the contrary in different parts of the country, it seems like 2021 has started out pretty mild in the weather department in Oregon. Camping in February comes with challenges, but a couple weeks back the forecast was good and with the camper on the new truck we decided a test run was in order, so over to the coast we went. Just a note that locations will not be disclosed in this post, to protect the innocent fish yet to be hooked in my future (I hope).

After a late night arrival on a Friday we were up and headed to the river Saturday morning in search of some sun and steelhead. Both would prove elusive, but any day on the water is a good day in my book.

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