Steelhead and Irrational Optimism

We had the briefest break in the rain and wind the other day, so I sneaked out to try a bit of steelhead fishing - because some people never learn, and I'm one of those folk.

I hardly wet a line. The bank was deep underwater, but I tried standing on the narrow path cut into the bluff where salmon fishers often stand. I had no chance of casting a fly rod, but I dangled the fly down into the water until it occurred to me that I couldn't see the fly or the fly line and I was fishing blind, which is probably the worst possible way to fish for steelhead with a fly.  I think that says a lot about steelhead and my irrational optimism.

The water was as pretty as water can be, but it might have been even nicer looking with some occasional flashes of chrome...



(This is why I can't fish for steehead in my kayak)

Wow, that's some gorgeous water!

It really was.  That section of the river normally looks like air but turns brilliant turquoise when it rises.