While Eugene hosted the US Olympic Trials at Hayward Field, the fishing action continued on the local rivers. On July 2nd I was joined by Mike Mushkin making his annual trip to the southern Valley. We decided to target summer steelhead on the Willamette. Mike has been haunted by a great fish from a couple of seasons ago that fought spectacularly en route to coming unbuttoned. And we had high hopes of closing the deal this time around. Alas, late in a morning of swinging to likely lies, Mike hooked another fish, only to have it come unhooked moments into the encounter. Such is the nature of steelheading: you have to pay your dues. Mike has now paid his up front. Next time we'll get that fish!
The following day, I was joined by Ed Marlatt from Los Altos Hills, CA for his first day on the beautiful McKenzie River. An early start on a hot day paid off with steady action throughout the morning for 8-12" rainbows on dries and nymphs on the upper river. The best fish of the day, a chunky 14" wild redside decided at the last moment not to allow us to take his picture. But it didn't dampen Ed's enjoyment of the day. Check out this shot of Ed after it got away:
Finally, on Monday, the 7th, as Eugene slept in after the Trials, I was joined by longtime Two Dudes client, Charlie Greenwood, of Overland Park, KS. We again got an early start and were rewarded with excellent fishing for hatchery rainbows throughout the day. After a fish-fry lunch (Charlie's favorite!), we had an encounter that niether of us will soon forget. Charlie was hooked up with a nice sized trout when, out of nowhere, an adult osprey dove into the water, not 15 feet behind the boat in pursuit of the fish. The big bird missed and hovered for a moment before diving in again. Another miss. As Charlie landed his fish the osprey flew back to its perch on a dead tree, and watched us intently. Charlie quickly hooked another trout and once again the osprey dove into the river after it. Finally on Charlie's third hookup and the osprey's fifth attack, the bird had the fish and flew off downriver as line peeled off Charlie's reel. "Grab the reel!" I suggested, which Charlie did, popping the fly loose. The osprey turned and flew back past the boat upriver. I swear he was grinning at us as he displayed his prize on the flyby! Check out this shot of Charlie with the diving osprey:
