April 10, 2013
3:30 A.M. came, not with an inkling of morning grumpiness, but instead with an unmatched enthusiasm for life. Today I was going steelheading. I'm not a coffee man, so I hit the road early to pick up my best friend and steelhead comrade, Joseph Saverino. Before we left Joey's house I did a quick run down in my head, waders--check, rods--check, bait and tackle--check, wine and cheese--check, my best friend--check.
4:45 A.M. we arrive at Pulaski, N.Y. at the famed Salmon River. Chris Mulpagano from Get the Net guide service, and Pat and Rick from Team E-Outdoors Productions would accompany us today. Chris has been my fishing mentor since early childhood and I contribute my steelhead addiction to him. Team E-Outdoors would film us on this day in hopes of getting some steelhead action for video production. Be sure to check out THE RUN, from Team E-Outdoors, the four part series will air on the Outdoor Network and Time Warner Sports. I will be seen whacking a few steelhead in the fourth show of the series.
5:30 A.M. we start our float down the river, and what the hell, Joey and I crack open a bottle of pomegranate wine from the Finger Lakes region. Warmed with a glass of wine each and the expectation of some chrome steelhead we are feeling good. Great conversation, catching up with old friends, and meeting new acquaintances put a smile on my face that Hulk Hogan couldn't have slapped off.
Now to the fishing:
Our first destination proved unsuccessful, beads and roe bags thrown under floats guided by centerpin reels and float rods sure looked like pretty tasty offerings for steelhead, but no luck during the first hour of fishing. After the sun hit the water and it warmed up to about 30 degrees we were on to fish. Joey was the first to hookup on the day, a quick take down of his roe bag was followed by a vicious hookset and the word "fish." Joey was locked tight for about three minutes and then he lost the battle, fish 1, fishermen 0.
I would get lucky next, two fish landed in four casts, I love glo-roe beads. Both of the fish I landed were in the 8 to 10 pound range and they proved to be a great battle on my 11 and 1/2 foot Pacbay noodle rod. After about a 7 to 10 minute fight for each of the two fish, my arms were burning and my heart was racing with excitement. Throughout the rest of the day, Joe Saverino, Chris Mulpagano and I (Joshua Chenel) would pick at fish all day. Each seam and drift proved to hold a fish or two that wanted to play. By the end of the day I landed 4 fish and lost 4, Joey landed 3 fish and lost 3, and Chris (who guided much more than he fished) lost 3 or 4 steelhead. What a day. I would highly recommend the drug of steelhead float fishing to anyone. I've been addicted for years, come join me, no peer pressure!!!
A nice 3 pound domestic rainbow.
What would a float trip be without a rubber ducky?
Caviar anyone?
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