I kind of miss the days of the recorded messages telling you how great the action is.  I often wondered whether the shops were all in on it to promote the fishery while lining their pockets.  DSR, Tony's, Whitakers, The Portly Angler all seemed to say the same thing but you found out differently when you made long trip to the river (in my case 4 1/2 hours).  Regardless of how glowing a report was I usually made the early season trip before the full circus came to town, I still do.  I would rather face the specter of taking the skunk then deal with the madness when the season is in full swing. 

Gerry I'm with ya man. 90 was my first year up as a youngster but I was lucky to have a father who took me multiple weekends in a row for salmon and steelhead. My first thoughts after getting out of school everyday was calling the dsr report and honestly, from my experience it was usually pretty honest... from Fred to mike to Connie the reports were usually spot on any time I checked them after I fished that day. Never really bothered with many of the other ones. Jim rusher was always an honest guy though. Fond memories of late fall and mid winter steel heading for me throughout the 90's... mostly the early 90's and the late 90's. The middle 90's were not the best s for steel in my experience. I got my drivers license in 97 and I ran death run trips to the river all the time. Fond memories to say the least.

Technology as half killed this in my opinion. Sure I'm a technology guy as I sell Cell Phones for a living. But the first time a King is spotted in the river it gets posted and everyone loses their minds and comes up to fish for no reason. 
 
Hell 18 years ago I had to clean fish for my great uncle to make a few dollars to get some hooks sinkers or basic necessities to go to the river to fish. Occasionally the older guys at his camp would give me a few hooks and split shot just to go. I remember the first day I bought a pair of polarized glasses I thought it was the greatest thing ever. 
 
Now that I'm 28 with a high end smart phone, a job, and a desire to start dabbling in to actual Fly Fishing technology has helped me get in touch with guys on here willing to share their ideas on fishing, a good glass of scotch, cigars and funny fishing stories. 
 
Kids these days on the river dont know how it used to be, sure I'm almost 30 and a few of you are much older than me, almost old enough to be my dad... but I agree with what many of you say around here. Basically the old school way is the best way. Fish as much as you want, release the fish, keep the memories, and pass on that attitude. 

Duke,
Easy on the "a few of you are much older than me, almost old enough to be my dad" nonsense.  I'm still coming to terms with turning 6-0 earlier this month.
I agree, there are many here who are willing to share their knowledge but motivation is probably the best teacher of all.  

And Duke, you are at the prime age, old enough to know enough to get to sleep to get up early, and young enough to walk the miles you may have to to find a spot that isn't occupied.  You'll get the fly stuff quickly, just be patient!
 
L13

Lucky13

And Duke, you are at the prime age, old enough to know enough to get to sleep to get up early, and young enough to walk the miles you may have to to find a spot that isn't occupied.  You'll get the fly stuff quickly, just be patient!

L13

Duke hurry up buddy because I'm just a few years older than ya and I find myself questioning moves I used to pull on the river... definitely ain't as quick as I used to be...lol

Speaking of age ---
 Was on the edge by the bridge at the Estuary watching the show and 4 kids came down about 5 through 9- adults up on the bridge fishing- Two kids had rods but needed Bait weights and hooks lol.
 I rigged them up about a dozen times each - I enjoyed it more than them- they were hysterical.  The two little guys actually yanked fish and quickly lost them the 6 year old explained it had been his first Salmon but he intended to be a TV fisherman when he grew up - then he said I looked OLD- perhaps as old as TWENTY.
  Krikies- got a grand kid bout twenty

Plenty old enough to be your pop Duke.
 
TB21 you're just a pup.
 
Dimes right about using your body while its at its peak.
To misquoete Satchel Page don't look behind you cause father time is gaining on  you fast.
 
It was a day fishing  a pocket abovecoho hole with L13 when I hooked another monster rusthead that took off downriver.
For years I would have plowed thru the tail and down the outside of the island to land it at the head of the Black.
This time I got there and decided it was turn him away from the main river current or lose it.
Lose it I did.
 

Easy 2b... I'm still as good as I once was ;)

Good point though bud. Nice read. Luckily it sucked me away from posting on the tailwater page...thanks!!!

dimebrite2

Easy 2b... I'm still as good as I once was ;)

Too easy picking.
I will pass this low hanging fruit by this one time.