From Dreams to Reality (Fly Fishing for Steelhead)

[@daveschlom4033]

Hard to say this after watching so many of your videos but this has to be the BEST FFD video ever! It was like watching a great game where you are rooting for your favorite team and they come from behind for the win! May the fishing gods always bless you Dan.

[@FlyFishDan]

Very kind Dave, thank you! Good stuff :))

[@rosiestein209]

This!! I was totally going to say watching this was special. I was cheering for you Dan 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@self-taught_angler]

Dan, thank you for posting this. Even though I wasn't there, it was very entertaining to watch. I can relate to your insistence. Why we most are into fishing is just summed up by this short video.

[@mdaley3102]

Way to go Dan, I’m soooo happy for you and a bit jealous too. What a spot you found. I’m still on the hunt for mine and I know I’ll be as excited as you when I get it. Fish on, fish on, fish on

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks! I was pretty stoked to find such an unknown and productive spot - what fishing dreams are made of for sure!

[@JeffreySturm]

The OP is a special place. Congratulations and it looks like you've broken the seal! You got me jonesing and I need to get my spey rod out...Cheers!

[@FlyFishDan]

Such an amazing trip - can't wait to go back! Especially since I finally figured it out :))

[@boblangbein6785]

Great video! Our guides up in the OP, demand we go rod tip down on a hookup. The fish are so strong that keeping the tip on the water allows the water to absorb a lot of the energy of the head shakes and jumps. It goes against everything we have been taught before this, but it really works.

[@FlyFishDan]

Man that would be a tough habit to break (rod tip up!! I can still hear my dad saying).

[@matstaley388]

That was incredible. Congratulations! I am starting an 8 wt build with Healing waters for Deschutes steelhead. Hopefully it will be done by the end of the month. I was under the impression one was not supposed to set the hook on those steelhead. I could be wrong, of course. it's happened before.

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks Mat - pretty incredible trip for sure. You may use one single barbless fly either swinging or under an indicator on the OP. Split shot is allowed too, which I used on the unweighted flies. Love to see the 8 weight when completed! Cheers!

[@coreybaute7098]

I built an 8wt a few years ago with PHWFF as a participant and got to use it to land my first steelhead-it was an epic experience.

[@mattharkness6697]

Congratulations Dan!! You did it. Finally something from your bucket list.

[@FlyFishDan]

Yes! Thank you!! Such an amazing trip

[@TightLinesNW]

Really happy for your success Dan! I totally understand the out pouring of emotion. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@FlyFishDan]

My pleasure!

[@dowmer3093]

Nice work Dan, real happy for you. Hooking 5 Steelhead is a pretty epic trip.

[@FlyFishDan]

Totally...when you consider how many days, I've tried in the past several years....I was pretty excited to actually touch a fish nearly every day...then three in one day...crazy

[@tammaramma]

Hey Dan, exploring a new river is half the fun. A lot of the time it's just a matter of being in the right place at the right time (as you know). Fish On!

[@FlyFishDan]

Indeed, I was lucky to hit it perfectly. So good!

[@GoPlatinum08]

That's fantastic, Dan. Congratulations on finally landing your first OP Steelhead on the fly rod! Sometimes you just gotta pay more than what seems like your fare share of dues. But you hung in there, didn't give up and it finally paid off, big time. Congrats!

[@FlyFishDan]

I appreciate that, thank you! I definitely put in the time and was thrilled to have a strong chance each day...then three in one day (what?!)...just an epic trip!

[@biggarfish]

Congratulations on your first Stealhead Dan 🎣 Here in the North East the tribs of Lake Ontario have been the go to fisheries for Stealhead. Hope to try the PNW once we get on the road after retirement next year.

[@FlyFishDan]

Awesome - definitely worth the trip out here to the PNW, just be sure to plan on a couple weeks. It can be a tough fishery for sure.

[@biggarfish]

We’re planning on staying in each fishing area at least the 14 day limit at each campground. Any rivers good for summer Steelhead ?

[@FlyFishDan]

There is a summer run, but the winter run is far better and more consistent.

[@biggarfish]

The wife and I want to stay away from the cold once we retire so Fall run rivers might be all we target as we head back south for the winter from.

[@frontierfishingwithRyanMacD]

That is great to see Dan! What a fishing trip! FISH ON!!!

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! It was a pretty great trip for sure. FISH-ON indeed!!

[@briansterner2020]

Nice fishing! Beautiful environment and good content. To reduce the number of fish lost, keep your rod tip high and get the line on the reel as fast as possible to take advantage of the reel's drag system. Many tight lines!

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks for the tips!

[@theredfishchronicles7929]

DUDE! Congratz! I literally stood up and cheered when that fish slipped into the net!!!! Way to go man!! Never give up!

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks!! You and me both! So exciting

[@justal4844]

Congrats, FFD ! Curious if you've chased Coho on the fly. Similar experience with a fraction of the frustration. After all of those days getting blanked, you hooked three; that must be exhilarating! ☮ from Idaho.

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks! I have chased Coho on the fly, did pretty well this year on the Sound. I was so friggin excited to finally get into them on this trip - a ton of work!

[@SledorFish]

Beautiful fish! Congrats on the steelhead and hopefully this gives you the momentum to keep going. I would love to see you get one on the spey rod. Something about a big steelhead's take and headshakes felt through a spey rod is just exciting.

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! Definitely about confidence, I need some more time with the spey to build mine for sure. Next year :))

[@AndrewNoffke-yg1uj]

Thats amazing Dan! So happy for ya. You deserve it

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks so much!!

[@GaryHusby]

Congrats on hooking a couple of those special fish. I appreciate the way you released them and kept them in the water.

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks! The wild steelhead are pretty special for sure and deserve the extra care. Cheers!

[@GaryHusby]

I drove through Oxbow on the Hoh on Wednesday March 6th. Wondering if your trailer was parked there.

[@FlyFishDan]

That was the day I left for home, I am sure we passed each other on the way by!

[@scottmacdonald9269]

Very happy for you! Well done. Fun to watch.

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks so much!

[@ryanward58]

Well done! I definitely need to get out and catch one those!

[@FlyFishDan]

It was a grind...but I finally got er done!!

[@buck3173]

👏🏽👏🏽 I'm sure most watching already know what river this is 👀

[@bigron8346]

Congratulations Dan, good job!!

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you Big Ron!

[@shaunlehman9158]

Can’t fight these big steelhead on the strip got to get them on the reel asap.. I have clients do this all the time during the winter on the OP fight steelhead and summer in Alaska on monster bows.. to much explosive power to not have them on the reel!!! Great video and awesome job finding some fish man!!

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks! I’m definitely going to do a better job of that next time for sure. Now that I know I can actually hook them!! :))

[@coreybaute7098]

I tried stripping line on a steelhead this past fall because I had a lot of line to get in and thought it would help-nope snapped it off. The first and only time I tried it. Lesson learned.

[@hhal2065]

Woo Hoo, Dan! Way to persevere! Very well done. 👍 👍😊😊

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! 😃

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! 😃

[@Lugnutter.]

What a great video that made me miss home. (Now in Northern Nevada, and the lct aren't biting)

[@FlyFishDan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@prolificnorthwest]

Awesome! Congratulations!!

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dondenman8124]

Persistence pays off Dan 👍

[@FlyFishDan]

Indeed!

[@martymoose1719]

Wow, that’s sick dude. Wish we had those here in NC… but I’m not complaining. We got it pretty good. But that reel screaming is like a Rage concert!!!

[@FlyFishDan]

So good :))

[@NatTheBat361]

What area in the OP did you go to. I live in the OP and I’d stop by this river and check it out. You should try the Dungeness river!

[@christiancherry1377]

Yeah man! Finally, you did it!

[@FlyFishDan]

It was a pretty amazing trip for sure

[@Blktailhunter53]

They are scheduled to replace that bridge this year? Do you know if that is still the plan?

[@chasewalker1931]

Cool fish! Curious what the regulations are like out there this year? I know a lot of the smaller creeks like that generally close to protect spawning fish at the end of February right?

[@FlyFishDan]

Yes, there are some heavy regulations for sure on the OP. Many of the smaller fisheries closed March 1st...then there is the whole one barbless fly only rule too. WDFW make it challenging to get the hookup!

[@joshuafisher1900]

Was that a fly fishing only area? And was the barbless hooks mandated by law or was that your choice?

[@FlyFishDan]

Gear fishing is allowed - but only single point barbless hooks. The OP had some very strict rules.

[@grob25]

That, is fantastic!

[@FlyFishDan]

I'm still buzzing about it for sure :))

[@robertcross6834]

Always get steelhead/salmon on the reel as soon as possible.

[@FlyFishDan]

Tough balance for sure - don’t want to throw any slack!

[@robertcross6834]

@FlyFishDan I only make the suggestion because I've personally lost countless steelhead because of loose line. Beautiful river

[@Shadowsareeverywhere]

How do you attach your leader to your fly line?

[@FlyFishDan]

They both have welded loops - otherwise you need to use a nail knot

[@Shadowsareeverywhere]

Ok

[@billsmafia5156]

Are you required to use use barbless hooks in that area?

[@FlyFishDan]

Hi Jeff ~ yes, all single hook barbless on the Olympic Peninsula

[@Blktailhunter53]

Do people use Teeny nymphs for steelhead anymore?

[@PNWFSHR]

Congratulations 🎣 🎣

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks 👍

[@206steelheader]

Amazing vid and fish bro! But please don’t post this river people will find it and ruin this beautiful place! I’ve got many out of there this year and haven’t seen anyone, we would love to keep it that way. Nice fish though bro🤙🏻

[@206steelheader]

Sucks cause it’s a good vid but I would personally delete this.

[@FlyFishDan]

I completely understand when someone sees a river they are familiar with on KZbin, there’s an “oh God” feeling - however, unless you’ve been there before - it would be highly unlikely, to near impossible for someone to figure out where I am based on a bridge (there are 7,000 bridges on the OP) and a river backdrop. This river will stay secret - I’ve had numerous people from WA, that have fished the OP have zero clue where I am (and I didn’t tell anyone either). All good!

[@yamittr250]

Rippin lips on the OP, whaaahooo.

[@FlyFishDan]

Doesn’t happen to often!!

[@carterstoll1729]

u hook same fish twice?

[@FlyFishDan]

Likely not - I saw both jump and the second looked a bit bigger and more chrome

[@drewhbend]

wow!!!!!!! way to stick with it

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks! It took some work on this day for sure!

[@magicworldbyjorg]

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! Will do!

[@magicworldbyjorg]

@@FlyFishDan Thank you very mutch... have a nice day.... see you…. Greetings Jörg

[@mvsc-k5e]

6:03 *strike indicator (jk!)

[@jmc9910]

I'll bet your heart rate hasn't returned to normal yet...

[@FlyFishDan]

I know right?? Lol...so good!

[@shaunlehman9158]

Bead fishing?

[@FlyFishDan]

Egg fly, no beads

[@Nwfisher]

Please don’t film landmarks on rivers like the small one. People piece together videos like this and put pressure on rivers that can’t handle it. It’s one thing on major rivers, but not this one.

[@NugzGalore]

If someone does their research and finds this spot off a bridge ( one of thousands across 100s of rivers) props to them. That's what it's about, and there aren't many of those people left!

[@FlyFishDan]

I do understand the anxiety someone must feel when you see a place that's familiar to you on a video...however, there are 7,273 bridges on the Peninsula and the odds of someone figuring out exactly where I am filming are about 1 in 12,394,587...not very good odds really at all. That is why I don't name the fisheries I fish, but I will stop short of blurring the background. All good, cheers!