#radicalsabbatical: Trinity Trophies?

The Trinity River is a pretty special place for me up in Northern California. It is the rivershed where, five years ago, I caught and landed my first Chromer and was forever hooked to chasing the elusive Steelhead. It is definitely the place I spend most river days per year fishing for these big fish, and most likely the place I spend most days out of my entire year with a rod in hand. Funny thing is that in all those days I don’t catch but a small percentage of the total fish per year. But, the ones I do get are monsters.

Steelhead are an anadromous species of Rainbow Trout which means while the are born in and spawn in fresh water rivers, and in between spend most of their adult life in the salt water oceans. The food sources they have out there in the deep blue are much larger and more abundant than what they could find in the rivers – In non-fishy terms, it means they are essentially trout on steroids, often exceeding 30” in length.

The season for these winter river monsters in Northern California is roughly October – March, so this trip will likely be the last until the fall rolls around.

My dad and I got up here for three days this go around for our chance at sticking one or two of these beasts. The winter months can definitely be on the cold side, but we were pretty lucky this trip – with the exception of a bit of snow in town, and our boots being frozen solid this AM.

Stats are as follows:

• Total Steelhead brought to hand: 3:1 (Ed:Jonathan)

• Doms games 4:2 (Jonathan:Ed)

Experience trumps with Angling, but luck is king with Doms.

Was a great few days with my Dad & the Pup & already looking forward to fall 2013 for some more Chrome action. No true trophies this trip, but with every cast up here, you might just hook the biggest freshwater fish of your life.