Lunch Under the Eagles Nest

One of my long time clients from San Diego was here recently fishing the coastal steelhead waters of Oregon.  For late March he was surprised to see so many chrome bright wild steelhead.  This year and most years that however is the norm.  We fished rivers like the Wilson, Trask, NF Nehalem and Kilches.  Fishing swung flies and indicators we had success on both strategies. 

Fat rain pounded down hard several hours as we worked the riffles and runs.  We saw few other anglers and had the rivers virtually to ourselves.  Floating in our raft we encountered waterfalls, eagles nests and steelhead rolling in several areas.  The fishing wasn't easy but the throbbing head shakes we did find were rewarding and exhilerating.  Fighting wild steelhead in wild places leaves you with an awe and respect for the finned creatures that live there.

Overhead an eagle glided near the tree tops peering down in approval as we plied the waters.  What a treasured place. 

We stayed at our local river house cabin, relaxed with a cold beer, listened to Bob Marley music and tied a few flies.   Being in Tillamook, OR we had to have some Tillamook icecream of course!  The Wilson river in the back yard and 5 other rivers only minutes away.  We could choose to float two different rivers in one day if we wanted.   

Come and join the fun for great Oregon steelhead fishing.  www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Big Fish and Tough Conditions

It was a bet that the river would be fishable.  A freak winter storm rolled in Monday night and was blanketing the coast with a rare snow storm.  Heavy wet snow dumped on the coast range.  Rains before this cold front had rivers up and brown.  The gamble was that the cold snow would freeze up the gushing muddy creeks and the rivers would drop.  We drove.

Driving through the deep snow over the coast range was a different experience.  One good thing was we were sure to be the only ones on the river.  When we finally arrived we found this to be true.  We also discovered the river was still a bit high but worth a try.  We were here after all. 

Through the day we worked the water hard with heavy sink tips and big bright flies.  Rain, snow and hail pelted us - defining the insanity of winter steelhead angling.  Finally near the end of the day, the clouds broke and we glimpsed the sun.  The river seemed to be clearing and dropping.  My client Les had worked hard for a fish all day.

Suddenly a loud thumping erruped and Les let out a whoop!  His fly reel handle was a blurr and pounding the fly box in his vest as a big wild steelhead ripped line off the reel.  This was a hard charging fish that ate the big fly with a solid thud.  Line ripped out and Les' rod bucked.  This was no small steelhead.

After a several long runs down river the fish decided to go upriver.  Surging past us it smoothly charged its way straight up river into the current.  It did this twice, the second time farther into the reel than the first.  Finally the fish tired enough to get it close to the soft mesh net and then we had it.  A dandy wild steelhead from the Oregon coast.

Way to go Les! The smile on his face says it all!

Rob Crandall
The Tug is the Drug!
www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Bananas Can't Stop Coastal Steelhead

With heavy rain to start the day off we launched the boat on one of our favorite March streams.  With not one person around we wondered about our sanity as we floated down river.  Why is no one here?  Is this supposed to be a terrible storm and we missed the report?  With heads down and our hoods up we slogged through the first few holes with out a single tug. 

A slow morning start and driving rain the outlook was starting to seem as gray as the sky.  Then Henry pulled out a morning snack.  A BANANA of all things!  Now as many may know there has long been a distinct animosity between fishing guides and banannas in the boat.  Many urban legends talk of banannas effectively killing any bite.  Many salmon fishing guides host "No Banana" stickers in their boat. 

Imagine our dismay when we realized the bananna on board was killing our morning fishing in the wild, windy driving rain. 

After eating that morning banana, things began to change.  We started hooking fish, the sun came out, angels sang and we landed some dandy steelhead!  So if you ever find a banana in your boat, quickly dispose of it, wash your hands and get back to fishing. 

Henry learns about Bananna fishing legends

Kirk's biggest wild steelhead

Henry's big one!

Gabe's first steelhead!

Come join the fun.

                                                                      Rob Crandall

The Tug is the drug.

www.watertimeoutfitters.com

February North Coast Steelhead

    What an amazing month February turned out to be!  Today is just the second of March and March is my favorite time to fish the North Coast!  I just finished 12 days in the Tillamook area.  Unfortunately I was unable to get internet access at the place that I stay so here is a report for the entire trip. 

     I was fortunate to have many fantastic people fish with me during this trip and catch fish they did!

We found some large fish

We found several large chrome fish

Several of my guests landed their first steelhead!

Most fish were absolutely chrome and really hot upon getting a fly stuck in their face.  Some fish were simply unlandable as they went deep into the backing on their first run and found debris near the shore.  One particular fish must have jumped at least 2 feet out of the water 7 times during the fight.  Many of the trips resulted in double digit hook ups in just 6 hours of fishing!

     I will be posting a few more pictures and some more details from this past two weeks tomorrow evening.  At this time I will be announcing another special for the month of March with the dates I still have available.
Tight lines,

Gil Muhleman
The Tug Is The Drug

Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing Boot Camp

Brought to you by Water Time Outfitters is the "Boot Camp" of Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing.  Get started fly fishing for winter steelhead with the right tools and instruction for success.  Great for beginners or advanced anglers who want to fine-tune their skills; or the summer steelhead angler who wants to learn what winter fishing is all about.  This course covers spey casting, specific approaches to fishing techniques, rigging, reading water, fly selection, fly tying and much more!

This action packed special provides all your meals, lodging, equipment as needed, instruction and guided fishing.  We'll have over 20 fly lines for you to fine tune your set-up or use ours.  Waders and boots are available as well.

Our on river lodging gives us the prefect launching point for an itinerary packed with learning.  Conveniently located right on the Wilson River we have the option of fishing five different rivers most only minutes away. 

This action packed adventure is provided by full time guides Rob Crandall and Gil Muhleman, our years of instruction and guiding experience will be a breath of fresh air for those confused or intimidated by the complexities of fly fishing.  We'll be eating, sleeping and breathing steelhead fly fishing giving you plenty of time to unravel the confusion and mystery of fly gear and techniques.  Learn what the expression means when you hear "The Tug is the Drug" of steelhead fly fishing. 

This boot camp timing is set for the peak of the winter run steelhead on the Oregon coast.  Both wild and hatchery steelhead are available at this time of year. Learn what it takes to catch and land steelhead on the fly rod with this excellent class format.

Winter Steelhead Boot Camp 2012  cost is only $550

March 10 & 11

Space is very limited - reserve your spot now: 503-704-6449
www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Oregon Coast Steelhead

With a bit of rain we'll be full on for winter steelhead in Oregon.  From now through March winter steelhead fisheries put out their best in Oregon.  Some of our favoritie rivers on the Oregon Coast are the Trask, Wilson, Kilches, and the Northfork Nehalem.  The variety of rivers available for Oregon coast steelhead give the angler plenty of options.

Check out this video from a day on the Trask River with guide Gil Muhleman:

http://youtu.be/4R59YxRjV9Y

Good luck to your time on the water from Water Time Outfitters- www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Oregon Winter Steelhead Lodge

See our website

The NF Nehalem is a gem among NW rivers. It flows out of the wild and rugged Oregon Coast range mountains into the main Nehalem river. The NF gets one of the strongest hatchery steelhead runs on the Oregon coast along with a good dose of big wild steelhead as well. Floating the river is an inspiring experience on it own. Over 26 waterfalls cascade into the NF canyon during our float. We float this section of river in rafts and start at the uppermost target for migrating steelhead - the hatchery.

The NF boast choppy riffles and many small pools ideal for the indicator strategy. Some sections swing a fly very well also. Each day fresh arriving steelhead ride the tides into the lower river. A mix of chrome bright fish to brightly colored fish may be found through the season.

Winter steelhead time is rain time in Oregon and having a nice warm place to dry out at the end of the day before a long drive home is a good part to any angler's fishing dream.  Warming the toes by the fire and enjoying a drink next to the fire really puts a great cap to a day on the water.  That is just what we are offering this year in January on the NF Nehalem river.  Water Time Outfitters has secured riverside lodging right on a key peice of water on the NF Nehalem river. 

Come join us for a winter steelhead fishing adventure and relax at comfortable convenient lodging at the end of the day.  Special packages for our traveling anglers available. Peak time on the NF is around the first week of January.  The run starts mid-December and runs through the first part of February. 

Guided float trips on the NF include:  Experienced guide and oarsman, flies, tippet, leaders as needed, rod/reel/lines as needed, shuttle back to your vehicle at the end of the day, hot lunch, soft drinks and waters.  $425 for 2 anglers.  (2 anglers per boat max.) 

Stay one night at our riverside lodge with guided fishing day-meals include: dinner, breakfast and lunch for only $550 for 2 anglers.  Space is very limited.  Only open dates for lodging are Jan 2,3,4,5,6,& 7th  50% deposit is required to reserve your spot.  Call now to save your date: 503-704-6449.