First Fish of 2008 for trio of fisherman
By Charlie Pottenger
First I must admit that my reputation as a fisherman generally does not include
the characteristics required of a guide. In fact, during the 2007 season, I
enabled quite a number of friends and family to endure countless days on the
regions beautiful rivers and we caught only three Steelhead. If you asked them,
I am a hopeless excuse for a fish finder.
However, over the holiday I was introduced to Dr. Norbert Karl, a visitor from Magdeburg, Germany, and I discovered he enjoys outdoor photography and fishing. Since, even though I am not a guide, I enjoy fishing with good friends and watching the fantastic wildlife and scenery along the river, I invited Norbert and Cody Stanton (an Orofino resident and Norbert’s host) to meet me at Hell’s Gate marina on January third for a day on the Snake River.
I had great trepidation as the morning arrived because most of my fishing experiences in November and December had been cold affairs with almost no response from the Steelhead. In fact, some of my fishing buddies had developed the opinion that I should give up fishing for hunting because only the fish can decide to bite and I was not good at fooling the fish. At least hunters have a say as to when to shoot.
Well, Norbert and Cody met me at the appointed time and, true to my reputation, my boat wouldn’t start! We pulled the boat up on the trailer and got a truck near on the ramp and jump started. Thankfully, the only boat problem of the day, and only a 15 minute delay.
Finally we are headed up-river and shortly we observe geese, ducks and a few mule deer. I am relieved as even without fish all the wildlife enjoying the warm January day were thrilling my friend, Norbert and he filled his camera. As we approached Red Bird Creek we were treated to a large herd of Big Horn Sheep, which were not real close, but definitely a treat seldom seen elsewhere in the United States.
We hurried on through the white water below Buffalo Eddy. We pulled in close enough there to observe the petroglyphs and we saw a beautiful, fluffy dry beaver sunning on a rock close by. A fantastic picture for Norbert’s collection.
Favorite fishing spot
Soon we were at my favorite fishing spot, of course I can’t reveal where, and within 10 minutes all my fears of failure were relieved and then rekindled. At once, Norbert connected with a nice Steelhead on a purple Hot Lips. I was excited and had Cody get his line in, as did I, and we prepared to help Norbert land his first Steelie! Alas, I hadn’t thought to explain the use of my level-wind reel to Norbert, who was experienced with a left hand retrieve spinning reel and he got the line tangled around the star-drag and the Steelie broke off! Norbert and I were devastated, Cody was speechless, but at least we had action!
Then boredom, as normal, set in, and there were no more attempted suicides by fish. About an hour later, I opted to spice things up with some more boat riding as we moved to “another good spot.” Setting up just above Beamer’s and the Grande Rhonde River, we fished awhile and I shouted, “Got one!” as my rod doubled. Norbert and Cody reeled in and then, inexplicably, my line broke. Failure number two.
We drifted through there again and shortly Norbert had a second fish on which, somehow managed to throw the hook before we got it to the net. Thrilling, but no reward beyond the excitement of the moment. Failure number three.
So, we went up-river for a third try and, near the end of the drift, I had a mighty strike and hooked a nice Steelie which the river yielded to our net. It was a hatchery fish and we had success in our cooler!
Wow! I couldn’t believe what a day we had been given. Four strikes from obviously active fish and one keeper! Far more than I had envisioned and better than I had even hoped for.
It was now getting late and I was starting to get the feeling we would have to head down river soon, but we agreed we shouldn’t leave if we were batting 100% on strikes each drift. So up we went for one more try. Cody put on a salmon colored Hot Lips and as we drifted he and I discussed the fine points of welding and metallurgy to the point of distraction. At the same time mule deer entertained us from both the Washington and Idaho sides of the river.
While suitably distracted, Cody was instantly alert as his rod came to life and we cleared the decks for another session with the landing net after a great fight. Cody’s hatchery Steelhead was the largest of the day and concluded our adventure.
Five strikes, two keepers and a great day that I think Norbert, Cody and I will treasure for years to come.
Pictured: Dr. Norbert Karl of Magdeburg, Germany and Cody Stanton of Orofino are all smiles holding two Steelhead caught Jan. 3 on the Snake River.