The Fishin' Magician: Steelhead season comes to an end

I had a great conclusion to my steelhead fishing season.

I fished at Bridgeport and Chelan Falls with my fishing buddies Rollie Schmitten and Jim Passage, both of Lake Wenatchee.

Fishing was tough, but Passage saved the day with a hatchery fish taken where the hatchery creek enters the Columbia.

The next day I fished the Methow River with Keith Roe, maker of Raven Jigs. I spent most of the day watching him catch fish.

He caught and released five fish and kept a nice hatchery hen.

We were about to leave the hot hole, figuring we had caught every steelhead willing to bite, when my bobber went down.

It took me over 20 minutes to get the fish within reach to release. It was estimated at 32 inches and 12 pounds! It jumped four times and had my knees shaking. This will probably be my last steelhead of the season, which was a great one.

I expect the Methow to close to fishing very soon. My next trip will be to Lake Chelan for those big kokanee I have been hearing about. I will be sure to let you know what I learn about the kokanee fishing; where they are biting and what to use.