Monday 3/10/08 Steelhead fishing

I headed up to Elk this morning anticipating a decent day, but wasn't totally sure what to expect.  I first wanted to try to fish the access area, however, it was totally jammed up with ice contrary to the reports I got just Thursday about the mouth being open.  It was time to improvise, so I headed up to the tubes.  There was little to no parking because of all of the snow, but I managed to find one spot to pull off where a snow plow cleared a way right by the road which meant a longer walk.  I trecked through the "big" snow all the way down to the creek...I'm talking 12 to 18"!  This was the toughest part of the day.  When I got there, I spent about 1/2 hour breaking ice to the far tube where there was a nice flow of stream.  I fished there until 11 a.m. and landed 12 fish and one definite 10# or more.  Most on a green head jig with flash and maggot.  I did also catch a few on egg sacks, red being the most productive color.  Oh yeah, fished all by myself the whole time...never saw another soul.  I then decided I'd head up stream a bit to the Legion hole area.  Again, I pulled down in about 12" of snow and mine were the first tracks there(Thank God for four wheel drive!).  I could not park in the lower lot, but rather pulled off the top road.  The legion hole had ice going right into the middle of it, so I went at it again, breaking up ice for about a half hour.  When I finally broke through and began to fish, all Hell broke loose.  One fish after another on the jigs...I never even had the chance to try the eggs.  Suprisingly and for the first time all year, I was catching larger than average fish regularly.  It figures that I would forget my camera on a day like today, so sorry gents for the lack of photography!  I landed two fish which were between 28" and 31"...both had to be in the ten pound range.  I also had the pleasure of catching a few really fresh silvery chromers.  I fished there until about 2 p.m. and had one guy from Ohio come down and fish across the way from me.  I did not see him land any fish and I started to feel bad because I felt like a total "fish hog" but he told me this was his first time with the fly rod and he was experimenting.  I ended up landing 32 fish overall and lost about 4 or 5 all day.  I suspect the next few days should be pretty good with some melt off and stained water.  Today the water was low and clear, but the fish were obviously ready and didn't mind the clarity.  My wife had to work at 4:30 but I was able to stop at Calfin's for my traditional tall Killian's draft!, Oh how I hate to drink alone!!.  Many of you asked for a report when I got back and there it was.  If you have the chance, GO!
 
What amazes me is the fact that I fished all day and saw only one other fisherman!!  Amazing, truely amazing.  Sometimes special moments are just meant to be spent alone with you and your maker.  Tight Lines All!!

cough...cough...cough

ShutUp, sorry about the PM - didn't see this thread, went from the reports page & didn't want to respond on that page. Again, glad you had a good no make that great day. A little work kickin ice out = big reward. And made it home safe.

tomorrow morning might be good.as the week goes on i could see the creek getting too high.

Great job, gotta love those lonesome days. Love the new avatar by the way.

I did well on elk today also.  Not a soul in sight and a bunch of fish.  SS with assorted nymphs as a dropper took fish all day. Mainly peach and pink SS and stones and princes.

ShutUp, Thats funny he's probably wearing a Bettis jersey as well. Thats ok because I cant see it

Sounds like a great day.  I am glad you had a good trip.
 
I decided to hit Walnut late this afternoon.  The project waters were jammed with ice.  I fished that water Friday and it was open.  I guess the snow and cold iced things up way more than I had anticipated.  There was a small strip of open water in the Manchester hole, so I headed up there and fished with 3 other guys.  It was rather dangerous.  We were walking out over the creek on an ice jam.  I fell through at one point and mananged to crawl out.  One of the other guys fell in trying to net a fish.  All in all it was kinda nuts.  I landed three steelies, one was foul hooked.  The fish seemed quite small and all had been in the stream for awhile.  Three guys fishing with me all left with their limit. 
 
A word of advice about fishing on jammed up ice.  BE CAREFUL!!!  It is dangerous.