Steelhead Lane

It’s exactly 3 minutes and fifty-eight seconds from Steelhead Lane to the North 40 Flyshop here in Omak. My shift today at the shop (coinciding with Opening Day), gave me the opportunity to take advantage of the lane. With the water still warm at 56+ degrees, I was psyched to fish dry lines and see what was looking up-even if only for a few minutes.

Last night, I’d heard most of the crew planned to head off to the more spectacular 'hidey holes’ that are proven steelie territory and slay fish on opening day. Meanwhile, I would have to fish the town drifts briefly and scoot in to work.

A little bummed, I chose our bass pro (Eric’s) 'honey hole’ because of its proximity to the shop, and hoped it didn’t already have numerous 'bobber-lobbers’ bonking fish. Luckily, I got there when I did, 'cause the jiggers showed up just as I was crossing the road, "Coming or going," they asked, then complained there had been fishermen in all their spots this AM.

I just shrugged.

I decided the common name for this spot was a little boring (The Pumphouse) because there are probably 100 of those in the valley. So, I came up with "Steelhead Lane" because of an obvious "S-L" on the structure. BTW, this is the same hole Sam and Erik fished successfully last year when the fly shop was still just a dream.

I wasn’t strung up and swinging for more than 45 minutes today, when I decided I had better reel up and get to the shop. Of course, I was pushing my last cast up until the absolute final minute.

(Are you guilty of this habit too?) You know- the last moment that would still allow me to wade back to the car, change into work clothes, and make the drive on time-

Anyway, I was about to reel up when I felt a tiny pluck. No hook up.

"Was that a trout", I wondered. I stripped in my Blue Jack’s Train Wreck and inspected it. "A trout wouldn’t hit that would it?"

With the clock ticking, I preceded to repeat the same cast and just "double check."

In such low and clear water, I was throwing a full floating head and super long (12'² 1X) hand-tied North 40 Spey/Switch leader to swing that Train Wreck. Even with the wind, the leader was turning that fly and plopping it down nice and gentle. On the last quarter of my last swing the line came tight (thank God).

Just under the surface, a 6 lb. hatchery fish boiled and started to run for her life. I snapped a couple quick photos and headed to work wondering if I could pull this off over lunch (yes) and thanking the buyers at North 40 for stocking some decent flies and tackle!

Steph Avena
Omak, North 40 Fly Shop