Northwest Winter Chrome

After a long grueling summer, and a fall that never seems to end, December is finally here! Whacking kings and Coho in Astoria all through September was a blast and beer can sized bobbers draining on the coastal rivers after every storm was good times in the fall. But the truth is, all that fishing is really just something to pass the time until December rolls around and the holy ones begin to show. For a tried and true, dyed in the wool winter steelhead fishermen, December is the beginning of something magical. Like the first day of baseball practice in the spring, it’s the start of another season of loaded with expectations. You have dreams and goals. There were expectations last year never reached, leaving a bitter taste in your mouth. All those wrongs can now be rectified. You have another four months to reach for that one fish that’s been dancing though your mind behind closed eyes since you fell in love with the pursuit. As for this winter, there’s nothing. There’s a clean slate. Simply a blank snow white canvas you’re longing to cover in the most beautiful portrait. There’s nothing out there between you and the steelhead season of your dreams other than your responsibilities as a dad, husband, sister, friend or what have you. But when the calendar turns to December and the temperature stays low, you know it’s only a matter of time before the thirst for the dream fish will get a grip on your heart and the rest of your daily routine will become trivial. Thank you December. Thank you for finally getting here. Thank you for being so special. Thank you for kicking off winter steelhead season and most of all, thank you for bringing them to us. We’ve been waiting patiently, knowing we couldn’t ever repay you for the joy December bring us.