Report, re: Steve Buckner

[Citori]

I spent the day yesterday with Steve Buckner, Northwest Fly Fisherman. The river isn't important, only that there was finally one in shape and a few fish around. My goal for the day was to go to school, and to learn as much as I could in one day about fly fishing winter steelhead. On that basis, the day was a four star success. Others have written here about Steve, and I am going to add my $.02.

Although I am 50-something, and have been chasing steelhead with fly rod in hand off and on for over half my life, I discovered several things yesterday. First is that I have been spending a lot of time fishing unproductive water, unlikely to hold fish. Second is that not being able to use a full repertoir of casting techniques has caused me to pass great water that I couldn't cast to in favor of marginal water that was easier to cast to. Third, I learned that I have been wasting a LOT of time on the above two items, and spending WAY too little time fishing good water.

Although I didn't bring a fish to hand yesterday, I did have one take, and saw the fish on the turn. I not only was doing things right (correct place, correct technique, correct line and fly) in order to get a strike, I did everything right in order to feel a subtle take, was tight to the fly, and actually reacted appropriately. This one just didn't get the hook.

Steve is a consummate teacher. l gained much more value from that one day on the river with him than his fee and tip cost me. Like pretty much any day on the water, this one was great. We were on the river pretty much from dawn to dusk, saw an otter, a couple of eagles, a deer, and a flight of sandhill cranes.

The only regret I have is that I wasn't able to spend a couple more days on the river practicing what I learned.

I decided to spend a day with Steve largely because of a posting by someone else on his day with Steve. I want to echo what has been said, that I learned more in this one day than I have on my own over the past 10 years or so. I also want to add my endorsement for Steve as a guide and teacher. My advice to anyone who wants to up their game, and their chances for success fly fishing for steelhead, is to spend a day with Steve on the river. You won't regret it.

Thank you, Steve. Great Day. I will be practicing my new casting techniques every time I get on the river from here on out.

[Salmo_g]

That's a great story, Citori! There's nothing like sound instruction and having that "Aha!" experience/epiphany, where suddenly the entire concept of fishing for these elusive creatures makes more sense than ever seemed conceivable. I've never fished with Steve, but have taken a couple Spey casting lessons from him, and he is an excellent instructor.

[yuhina]

Nice story, thanks. PS. Did not see Steve's post for a while, kind of miss it...

[James Mello]

I had the same experience.. I had gotten takes and done "okay" with fly fishing for steelhead, but between the time I had with Steve and Bob last year over 2 seperate trips, I went from having little confidence with a swung fly to preferring it for my steelhead endevours. Both of them took us to great water, and the biggest thing I got from both was how to keep the *right* kind of tension on the line to feel a take, but not to artifically pull the fly through the water....

[Citori]

There's nothing like sound instruction and having that "Aha!" experience/epiphany, where suddenly the entire concept of fishing for these elusive creatures makes more sense than ever seemed conceivable.

As always, you are spot on. I can't imagine how many mistakes I have made over the years - it is a wonder I have ever caught any. And, how much sense it all makes now.

[Erikskaaning]

Hi there, this an old thread but just wondering? his site mentions BC. where does he guide in BC?
Thanks

[Karl Shaffer]

Nothing like a good student that takes the opportunity from a good teacher.