Yet another day in the middle of October on the Olympic peninsula, in the rain, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

It was one of those weekends that were planned last second, in hopes that it could be the weekend. The dream of landing that one fish is always kept alive by the ones that can weather the storm…literally.

The river looked perfect with dime sized raindrops breaking the surface.

We had dropped down a small rapid section and parked in some slow water to our left. This left us in the middle of a short 100 foot run, with a tail out that turned into a boulder garden before it dropped back down to a sweeping right turn.

The water was moving fast with numerous currents swirling on the surface. As I swung my line through, I lifted and lowered my rod tip to get the perfect swing. 

With a tight drag, I was surprised that my reel was singing. I laid the wood to the left and the fight was on. The fish ran down river and showed itself in by surfing and thrashing on top of the water. That’s when I realized this was a different fish.

Sure enough, it started running at me. I started to strip the line as fast as I could and walk backwards trying to keep the line tight.

Terrance looked at me and said, “Relax, Bob, you got this. These fish don’t like to go down river. I’m sure it’ll come back up to where it was.”

Sure enough, it started running at me. I started to strip the line as fast as I could and walk backwards trying to keep the line tight.

Terrance looked at me and said, “Don’t walk backwards.” Stay where you are.”

I began reeling the fish in slowly, not putting too much pressure on it. Every time I got it close, it went on a run back into the depths of the river.

As the fish settled in to where it initially had obliterated my fly, I had the chance to catch my breath. I reeled in and lifted my rod tip to get the fish to the surface. In one swoop, Terrance netted the fish.

I can’t believe the beauty and strength of the Pacific steelhead. Yeah, fishing is all about the fight, but a steelhead is one of those special fish. Just to tangle with one, let alone hold it, is something else. The friendships and memories made on a day like that are priceless and last forever.