10 painful lessons I learned on my first B.C. steelhead trip

#2 Don’t be distracted by the scenery

When you arrive from colder or more arid climes, the beauty of Vancouver Island’s lush forests, dramatic mountains, placid lakes and rushing rivers can be hypnotic. I left my home in Toronto at 4 a.m. and by 2 p.m. B.C. time, I was waist-deep in the Gold, double-hauling a 9-weight fly rod and full-sinking line. On my 20th or 30th swing through the famous Helicopter Pool, I connected with a steelhead. But between creeping fatigue and gaping at the extraordinary surroundings, I wasn’t concentrating like I should have been. For about five glorious seconds I felt the fish’s weight and a single head shake—then nothing. You could also call this lesson: “Don’t forget to set the hook, newbie.”