First New York Steelhead

First New York Steelhead

How I caught my first New York Steelhead. Everything began with a four-hour ride from Bergen County to northern New York State. My friend John and I Drove up through Bergen county NJ along a narrow highway, all the way to the port of Lake Ontario. We started off our trip around twelve a.m. arriving in the village of Pulaski at approximately four a.m. What a long and energy-sapping ride. It took a lot out of us driving four hours; knowing that we had a long day of fishing ahead of us.

I said to my friend John "how much longer, drive faster."

John me told "How about you drive, I'm tiered I was working all day."

I replied: "I'd rather sit hear and enjoy the scenery. I can't wait to get there and start fishing, this ride is getting to me."

This bickering went on the entire drive up. We argued senselessly over how this time consuming excursion was longer then either John or me had expected.

"Its about time!"

We finally arrived in the village of Pulaski. This was a very diminutive settlement, with a main road splitting the village into two halves. This main road was littered with bait, and tackle shops and, hotels everywhere you looked, as well as a Mc Donald's.

As we drove down this lightless bare road, we only stopped to buy fishing permits, and headed straight off to a tributary of the great Salmon River. We parked in a dirt lot that came off a heavily wooded dirt road. We enthusiastically prepared awaiting first light. I started with putting on extra thick wool socks, followed by an extra pair of sweat pants, then the sweaters and jacket. Time came to put on my latest pair of waders. I eagerly tore open the package to reveal a pair of new breathable waders. At first glance this thin synthetic, gortex lined garment didn't appear to have any water resistant properties. They were made from very thin unconvincing fabric. I always used to wear neoprene waders. Neoprene is a soft foam like material that is an excellent insulator and water-resistant fabric. After testing the new breathable waders; I was convinced that they are much easier to pack and much more comfortable opposed to the neoprene waders I was so accustomed to. The sun was breaking the horizon. I threw on my fishing vest; grabbed my nine-foot noodle rood, and walked off into the sunrise toward the tributary.

Once I saw the crystal clear water rushing, winding its way through the wood as if a snake would in-between trees, I had forgotten that I spent all night driving and was as ready as ever. I took a hurdle of the bank into the water and immediately began to tie my hook on with a polomar knot, the most reliable knot known to me. The second I had the size two, chemically sharpened hook on my line, with out hesitation I stabbed it through an egg sack; an egg sack is a small colored piece of fabric that is filled with salmon eggs and tied closed. I threw out the egg sack followed by a thin fluorocarbon line up stream toward the opposite bank. Once my line was in I could not be more excited. I felt the vibration down