Gravel Jail...

Nothing like a crazy work week to get the "I need to fish" sentiment roiling. Heck, I don't need work to be crazy to make me want to fish badly, but it sure does amplify the thought process.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to spend a few hours of my day on the water before work meetings in the evening. After a 70+ hour work week, it was a welcome respite.

The river in question is on the South Olympic Peninsula and last time I fished it, we hooked and landed Steelhead within minutes of hitting the water... on the fly of course!

This time, we were being "guided" by a local friend who took us in his sled to several different runs. These runs were prime water, each with pocket-like stretches, glade like runs, and structure that screamed metalheads are here...

The whole set up was dynamite... except that the money water was not so productive that day. As my friends worked up and down river from me with gear rigs, I swung to my hearts content through the run... over and over again. Switching out flies, tips, methods, etc. No dice. I'm fairly certain that even me, a spey novice, would have hooked a fish should they have been in the hole that I was fishing.

My friends eventually came back to pick me up and take me back to the launching point. They, of course, had a fresh hatchery hen to show for their efforts as well as a few other hook ups. Five hours of effort for me landed me nothing but time spent on the "gravel jail." I could've at least used a beer or a snack, but instead it was a another mental test of sorts. Something that I realize most spey fisherman experience during the course of their "education."

Further hoping that all this casting/practice/patience and drinking will eventually pay off.I'm thinking that I'm about due...

Gear Review: Redington Sonic-Pro Zip Front Waders

Okay, I admit that I was inspired to write this post by this doozy of a gear review here.

I have some thoughts and opinions on a pair of waders that they didn't review, and I've been contemplating writing this review for awhile. The waders that I'll be reviewing today are the Redington Sonic-Pro Zip Front Waders.

I've owned and used Redington Sonic-Pro waders for well over a year now. I started with the non-zip model and abused those as best I could before recently upgrading to the zip front model a few months ago. Both waders are of good quality and I can't deny the performance to price ratio is quite good.

The zip front Sonic-Pro's feature four and three layer sections (lower and upper) of DWR finished material that is reasonably breathable. Considering it's not premier GoreTex branded material, I think it holds up (I am ROUGH on my gear) and breathes great. No complaints in that department.

The main selling point on these waders are the lack of stitching as the waders are welded together at the seams with sound technology... hence the name Sonic-Pro. I've had NO leaks in my waders on any of the welded seams. This technology (patented by Orvis) is truly legitimate.

The zip front feature, made possible by a fantastic RiRi Storm waterproof zipper, is a God send on cold days spent winter steelheading. I love this feature and after owning a zip front wader, It'd be hard to go back. No leaks thus far, and no complaints from me.

In terms of storage, the zip front model is lacking a bit. Unlike the non-zip Sonic-Pro, there is storage pouch. Instead, you have a small pocket on the inside (I keep my fishing license and slim wallet in there) and four pockets on the outside. Two of those outer pockets are water resistant and have decent capacity for small fly boxes and the other two are fleece lined (barely so) to help warm your hands. I prefer the storage in the non-zip model, hands down.

My biggest gripe with Redington Sonic-Pro waders occur in the lower section of the waders. The neoprene boot fit is not exactly ergonomic... In fact, I think it is downright poor. I think the bootie is oversized and I don't find the fit to be comfortable at all.

In my case, a same sized Simms wader has smaller, more ergonomic (read comfortable) neoprene booties. I have also seen my last pair of Sonic-Pro waders fail at the seams in the boot section. For a $400 wader, I expect better in this critical section of the wader.

The other main gripe I have is in the lace-holder/grip that Redington uses. It is a small plastic clip that does not fit well onto most wading boots. As a result, my gravel guards tend to slide up my boots as I bushwhack to fishing holes. It's a nice looking touch that is not terribly functional on the water.

Redington makes some great fly rods for the money (I love my Torrent and CPS fly rods) and their apparel is fantastic in both quality and value. The warranty service from Redington is top notch and their waders are covered by a one-year limited warranty. They will take good care of you, as they did me with my neoprene seam failure on my old Sonic-Pros.

Final Verdict: (Skinny Waders Rating: 7/10) 
For me, the Sonic-Pro waders are a bit of an enigma. I love the features and value ($299 for non-zip and $399 for the zip-front models) but I'm frustrated by the poor neoprene boot fit and construction. Comfort is important to me and the boot fit really hampers my fishing experience.

This is a wader that I'd try on before buying... if the fit is great, I think they'd be a wonderful option for most any angler. For the avid hike-in angler or someone who has specific fit requirements, I'd look at other options first.

Creating an Addict...

I'm not going to lie, I miss having a nice pool of friends to fish with. I had that in Spokane, though in truth they were also mentors to me on the water (and in life). I've since become somewhat competent on the water (when chasing trout) and I've begun to share my passion for fly fishing with others.

I've taken my Dad out a few times and though we never put up big numbers of fish, we've had a great time on the water. Aside from my Dad I have a few good friends who I fish with now and recently I've gotten my brother back on the water.

This past week, it was his first fly fishing experience.

A sixty degree day in Central Oregon greeted us, as did about a hundred other anglers on a six mile stretch of the Crooked River...

Needless to say, my brother caught his first fish on the fly (a camera shy Whitefish) and he managed to drink all the bourbon. I was particularly impressed with his methodical approach to nymphing runs. The kid just might be a natural once he gets his casting down pat.

After many hours on the water, we packed up and hit the road bound for Bend, hungry and thirsty. IPAs and a warm meal?! Yes please!

I hope this trip is the first of many. I may have gotten my brother hooked. Pun intended.

My Favorite Type of Rest Stop

Long days of travel across the state mean a few things...

Lots of coffee or soda (bad).

Little sleep.

Getting irritated with people leaving their brights on while driving in the opposite lane.

Taking time to see new water or throw a line in if there is time.

All of those things applied today as I literally drove across the great state of Washington. A short respite from emails and phone calls allowed me to take a few hours and throw my line into the beautiful Yakima River canyon.

A quick hookup and landing of a nice feisty Rainbow brightened the mood and several aggressive takes (but no lands) on the streamer left me wishing I had more time to fish.

As I left the canyon I stopped to look back, both figuratively and literally. Those few hours on the water refreshed my mind and for that (and the scrappy trout) I am thankful.

Take Your Brother Fishing Day...

Okay. So lately, life has been crazy.

I think I've traveled more for work in the past month than I did all summer while exploring western Montana.

I needed a break. And so did my brother.

We used to fish together as kids and teenagers. Canyon Creek trout, Battle Ground lake exploration, and even some random trips up the the North Fork Lewis River to attempt to catch steelhead from shore.

Today, we floated a local river instead... my brother held a fishing rod for the first time in nearly a decade. I prospected with nymphs, the spey rod, and even had some fun with a spinning rod again. The fishing was good early, but the catching was poor...

And then this happened.

My brother hooked his first steelhead. And right from the start, we could tell that it was special.

The fish took run after run. My brother took his time though, listened to the sound advice of our fishing partner, and after nearly ten minutes we had the fish to shore.

Well into the teens as far as weight goes, this native Winter Steelhead is the fish of a lifetime for many. But for my brother, it's just his first. We told him that this fish is as good as it gets. After taking a few respectful pictures, the fish was ready to go. Fully recovered from the long fight, it darted back to its holding spot, hopefully destined to spawn another generation of impressive native Steelhead.

That same day, I hooked and lost a nice chromer, but I left the river full of joy. Seeing him fight and land, then release such a special fish means more than catching my own. At least that's how I see it.

Now to get him tuned to fishing on the fly...

Dirty Gear Hucking...

Thousands of spey casts this winter have produced nary a legitimate tug, let alone a fish to hand.

My spey casting has gone from awful to okay, and my knowledge of the swing game is limited... the odds are stacked against me and all I want is to catch a Winter Steelhead. Truth is, I had never caught one up until this week.

In the past month, taking my friends to different locales has gotten them into fish and left me, well... perplexed, frustrated, and fish-less. 

That all changed this past week.

First cast. Spinning rod. And an "egg pattern." Bobber. Down.

I feel dirty, but I just don't care. Because this hatchery brat tasted good.

28 years in and I finally got my Winter Steelhead. Now that it's off the list, I'll just have to further dedicate myself to getting one on the swing... 

To my friends in Eastern Washington...

My job is a fantastic one...

I work my tail off to save fish. I meet tons of fishy people. On occasion, I get to fish.

and...

I get to attend the Spokane premier of Low and Clear presented by the wonderful Millsfly blog and Silver Bow Fly Shop (my favorite shop, hands down). I may in fact be more excited for this film than F3T next Saturday in PDX.

The showing will be held on Tuesday, February 19th at the Lincoln Center in Spokane. $5 gets you in the door and there will be a bar, countless raffle items (7 guided trips I believe?!?), and some wonderful conservation groups will have displays on hand... hint. hint.

Doors open at 6 PM and the show starts at 7 PM. I'm sure looking forward to the show, meeting other conservation minded anglers, and hopefully signing them up for CCA Washington.

On that same day, I will be hosting a CCA Inland Empire lunch meeting in Spokane that you're welcome to join, starting at noon. Leave a comment for more information on that..

For more information on the film showing, check out the Millsfly blog.