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John Day Steelhead conditions.

December 9, 2006 John Day Steelhead Field Report:

Cold! Are we crazy? The conditions are  below freezing every morning, fog hovers over wheat fields and ice builds on the sides of the banks. Despite conditions, the Steelhead continue to be available in fair numbers rewarding a handful of diehard anglers that brave freezing toes and have the patients to break ice shingles of the guides. Monday, Scott Sadil from Hood River (right photo) and Jeff Cottrell from the Dalles Fly Shop braved the cold and went  2 for 3! Nice chrome Steelhead and as usual all wild. The fish are starting to change their holding patterns to the classic John Day slower pools instead of hanging in the riffles.
	On Tuesday, the temperatures stayed in the upper 20's and with one angler in the boat we where unable to even temp one into a grab. That's Steelheading! Wednesday brought forth a day off and Mia tried to persuade me into fishing but instead I gave it a rest and warmed up at the "Garagemahall" in Condon. She ended up landing an 8lb wild buck! Not bad considering she only ventured out on foot for about 2 hours. Thursday Keith Kaneko from www.anglingonthefly.com out of Sacramento landed two very nice bucks! .
Full of battle those wild John Day Steelhead were hooked ten feet from one another swinging the "metal detector" and one of Keith's secret little "buggy" patterns. There must have been a couple of nice hens in these pool hanging with the two bucks but we couldn't get her to take; this time. Keith had a number of grabs throughout the day but these two were the prize (above and right photos).
	Friday, we fished hard and again went 1 for 2 with John Franzia from Bronco Wine Company landing this wild hen (photo to left) in the last stop of the day. A nice way to end the week!  Ted is out guiding Saturday wrapping up the week. Good luck Ted! Stay warm!! Merry Fishmas,  Marty

All the Best.

www.oregonsteelhead.com