I was looking for the opportunity to try out a new setup of rod, reel, braded line with a balanced bobber. The morning opened up, and I decided to hit the river bank. The new snow only added to the adventure. Thomas Eddie is close by and one of my favorites. Sometimes the parking lot is full before first light, but this time to my surprise it was not. My foot tracks were the only ones in the snow. This fueled my excitement, and I quicken my pace to a run. A week ago, I crossed paths with some duck hunters here and they mentioned a sighting of ~36" steelhead in the river and 3 others trapped in a nearby marsh. It seemed like a good prospect to investigate. The marsh ended up being way too shallow, partially frozen and full of reeds. Somehow I managed to keep my tackle with a few casts under trees and in unfrozen sections, but no steelhead were spotted. I returned to a quickened pace on frozen grass, through snow covered woods and a mile up the river. I flock of white geese sounded overhead and a donkey or two heehawed too. My setup worked beautifully, but no bites, no fish spotted or caught. No other humans either. After a few amazing hours at the river, I returned. My tracks in the snow were the only ones there and back. I have to rank this as a 4+, even though no fish were caught or seen. Great exercise, refreshing, beautiful, absolutely magical. Just what I have been missing and needed. Thanks everyone for staying away on a snow day so I could have it all to myself.

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