Where: Skykomish River
When: Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Conditions: Overcast, occasionally drizzly
Flies used: Sara Jane Spey, marabou spey, guinea spey, Bill's Spey
Species caught: Steelhead

Song of the day: "Joy To The World" Three Dog Night

"I like that shirt."

"Thanks."

"I should probably tie a fly in those colors," I thought.

Not long after, I put the purple and black concoction in my fly box, next to the flies I used last year in Oregon.

I thought about where things began and where they wandered: first a spey class with Steve Buckner, then a rod for Christmas. An unsuccessful Hoh trip, followed by half-baked attempts on the Kalama and Skagit. Then a blank on the Deschutes.

Three years.

Would this be the day?

"It could be," I said to myself.

It could be any of the next three days.

Knowing that you never know when it'll happen, but believing that it will, helps, obviously. :)

I tied on my Sara-inspired pattern and tossed it into the current. Following the typical cast-swing-step formula, I worked my way down the short run.

As the fly swung below, one word pervaded my thoughts:

"Please..."

I followed that up with a "Thank you!" :) Photo: Don

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Some time ago, Clark and I sat in the shop, talking about steelhead.

"I really, really want my first one to be on the spey."

He nodded with approval.

That was a week before my trip to the Deschutes.

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Do you think Tred Barta would be proud? ;) Photo: Don

During the minutes that I played the fish, the conversation echoed in my head.

Time slowed down, warped by my dream colliding with the steely reality writhing in the current.

It would come close enough to be just out of reach, then dash away, threatening to collapse my exhilaration.

The fish finally succumbed and after three years, my quest to touch spey-caught steel ended.

Time stopped.

I understood a little more about their appeal.

The bright red cheeks and metallic pink stripes. The silver sides and olive, speckled back. The thick wrist and overall scale of the fish.

These tell the story of a life of strength and survival.

Keeping such a fish would bring an end to that tale.

So after admiring its vibrance one more time, I released it to continue its journey.

And then I celebrated. ;) Photo: Don

Aptly named, no?

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The next two days were icing on the cake.

Bill, Bryan, Don and I went back to mine for more metal.

"Where do I start?"

A likely spot.

Another sweet-looking run.

Practicing the C-Spey on a new spey rod.

Getting a few more swings in before the light goes down...

Okay, last one. Photo: Don

Wait! One more swing...it's addictive! :)

Here's to 10,000 more casts.