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John Day Steelhead conditions.

December 3, 2006 John Day Steelhead Field Report:

	After the week started in a cold weather storm, our fortune made a turn for the better, ending in some steelhead to the fly by the weekend. We took a break from the storm, Monday through Thursday, and went back at it Friday. Dave McCoy from Emerald Water Angler www.emeraldwateranglers.com has been booking groups with us for 5 years. Dave landed a nice little Steelhead (below) first thing Friday that put our optimism high. Fearing the water tempurature drop would put the fish down, this was a great way to start the day. As it turned out the water was 35 degrees and this would be our only chance of the day. Better than nothing! Dave took this fish in a tailout using a floating line and a black rabbit strip fly his dad Mike tied.
Luther Birdzell from Boulder, Colorado spent Friday chasing Steelhead for the first time. This was also his first day with a two handed rod. He caught on quick and was making smooth long casts like a seasoned veteran steelheader in short time. On Saturday the water temperature  was a bit warmer at 40 degrees even though the the air temp dropped to 32. With the guides in the rods freezing Luther overcame challanging conditions and landed a very fine wild hen that fought vigorously in a favorite run we call "the snack machine." (photo above) This was his first Steelhead. Congradulations Luther! The rest of the day was spent searching for another willing taker. After a bowl of warm soup and sandwich and a few miles downstream Luther had another grab. After switching flies and going back through the "sweet spot"
	Luther was able to hook up with this nice buck just as the light of day faded. (photo at left). This morning, (Sunday the 3rd) Luther and Kevin Hughes had a few hours before thay had to depart. They spent from 9am to 1pm hooking 5 Steelhead and landing one. This was Kevins first time hooking into a Steelhead!Water and air temps are slowing warming each day and next week is forcasted to be more promising. I look forward to guiding next week and sending next weeks report. Tight Lines,  Marty

All the Best.

www.oregonsteelhead.com