August Steelhead

I have a love/hate relationship with August.

The steelhead have reached Idaho-kind of.  The water is warm, but steelhead hate warm water.  My mind repeats spey casts and tight line takes over and over, but it’s still wedding season.  Fish are caught one day then nothing the next.

August turns me to my computer, constantly checking flows out of the North Fork, making sure the river stays cool until the first rains come.  Then there’s the flies.  Most steelheaders really only need 3-4 flies, but for some reason I keep tying and tying and tying.  Dozens of flies fill my over sized boat box.  Old flies, that didn’t make the cut, are tossed out and replaced with newer version.  Most of my flies will go to friends and fellow anglers during times spent on the river.

I’m ready for September.  Good thing our Lewiston fly shop grand opening is in the middle of September.  Can’t wait.