The only reason we kept this fish was that, event though it was hooked in the mouth on a fly, it was bleeding profusely from its gills. I felt bad.
I was really impressed with the size of these fish. We caught them bigger than this, but this is the only picture I have.
This little creek was loaded with native cutthroats. Spectacular scenery and beautiful trout--a great combination.
Fresh chrome just before dawn with the mist rising off the water. It doesn't get any better than that!
Well, personal record that is. And I didn't actually catch this one--Chuck Turner did. I caught it's twin, a little longer and a little lighter (I think this one was 24 pounds and mine was "only" 23 and half), but my mount didn't survive the years. We caught these fish on a fly-in lake in Canada that we drove to (long story). We caught them on the surface right after ice out--great fight. Our guide couldn't wait to quit fishing and get back to shore saying, "Now everyone will see that I am the Number One Guide!"
Another big fish, this time a hen. This fish was also hooked right at my feet. At first she just stayed deep and bulldogged--held fast while shaking her head. Then she took off on a sizzling run giving my drag that beautiful high pitched scream. Then it was a series of jumps--classic steelhead fresh out of the lake!
This one was just shy of ten pounds; a strong fish that fought well. After a fishless morning, I did a drift along a drop off right at my feet. Just before I pulled my line out of the water to cast again--immediately in front of me--this fish hit.
A lot of people talk about how crowded the Lake Erie tributaries are during steelhead season. Well, this picture is taken during the peak of the season on Walnut Creek. I caught a TON of fish. And you can see there is not another soul around. Sure you have to do some walking, but it would be worth it for the scenery alone.
A native brook trout caught in the fall from a western PA stream. Though they come bigger, they don't come any prettier!
