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Tom White recently fished in B.C. and released this 28 pound monster steelhead - note the double stripe.
Larry Trotter has been a regular steelheader on the Babine River in Northern British Columbia. He is a legend in his own time! There are stories of his catches on the river at holes that then get named for or by him because of the large fish he lands at those spots. Stories of his conquests have been passed down from guide to guest over many years.
Head guide, Billy LaBonte, was fishing with Larry this year for the last time the last week in September. The two where making last casts together when Larry hooked a monster steelhead with one of BillyÕs favorite tube flies. After 25 minutes of fighting a great fish, the battle was almost won with the fish weakening to the point of being netted, but at that one last surge and the line parted where the leader and butt section joined and the fish flopped out of the net to freedom.
Flash forward two weeks, new guests are now fishing the river at the same holes, runs and pockets for new fish. One guest is fishing with Billy several miles up river and hooks a steelhead larger than he has ever caught on any river. A battle of over 20 minutes with runs and jumps more energetic than any the guest had ever seen results in the fish being eased into a quiet eddy on the bank of the river. The fisherman notices what he first thinks is a tag dangling from the monster male steelhead but as he goes to unhook the fish from his fly, he notices another hook in the jaw of his prize. Attached to the hook is an orange tube. Just then Billy pulls up in his jet sled and jumps out to help. The fisherman mentions his surprise at finding another hook and fly. "This is amazing." Billy explains. This is the fly I shared with Larry Trotter two weeks ago; this must be the same fish we lost that afternoon.
With flies retrieved and pictures taken, the fish was carefully released to continue its journey up river. What a thrill to be able to share this story with one of the legendary fishermen of the Babine.
I thought you might be interested in this fish tale. As you can see the rod, a Dec Hogan Series 14', 9wt, is now my "top rod"!
Tom White
Seattle, WA October 2003
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