As I pack for the Methow River trout guiding for the next month. I realized I have never shared what this 2024 Spring Steelhead season was like.
It reminded me of 2010 with the fish numbers. This guy on the cover was there with me, and he had big days then just like the days of this spring. My entire career of steelhead fishing has been the memories of the great season’s past. starting with 1985 a crazy bunker year of steelhead on the Green and Puyallup. 1998 smashing great summer runs on the South fork Toutle, winter runs on Calawah and Hoh. 2009 – 2012 OP rivers were blessed with huge waves of steelhead, late in the season, freshies past May in good numbers. Now 2023 – TBD great runs of steelhead, good numbers all season. Im sure April WOULD have been stellar. The common link is ocean survival and the approximate 12-year cycle of Wild Winter Steelhead.
January was a cold one starting our first day at 20 degrees was interesting. Andy Simon, head guide, and his winter hat.
One big first for us, I hired a teen age guide, he has a great start as grandson of a legend on the OP, Mikey Z.
Ashton has boat loads of ambition, mature work ethics and an impressive knowledge of the OP Steelhead. Simply put not your normal 19-year-old.
We have had plenty of lady’s groups out. But this one was special. Jami Laya brought out a couple of her friends from Wyoming. To say they were the life of the party is an understatement. They excelled at angling, drank like fish and cussed like sailors, it was pure awesomeness!
Topping off the season was Garrett Walters our chef. He was introduced to us by Chef Eric Donnelly an avid angler and owner of Rock Creek in Seattle.
Garrett has brought us to the next level of service. Creative, efficient and delicious.
Traditions are rich in memories, melting chairs at the bon fire is a new one..
I’m pretty sure I will never completely stop guiding or fishing I am winding down a bit. Tore up my shoulder pretty bad this last February. I think it’s a great excuse to do what I want to do. Float the river, fish good water well and swing a good run for my favorite fish on the planet. Grandpa said, “do what you love, and the job will come naturally”.
Thank you to everyone that graciously spends a day on the river with us.
Jeff Brazda
