Greatest steelheader ever a Californian?

[Richard Torres]

By what metric does one measure the "best" or "greatest" steelheader? Number of steelhead caught? Caught per unit of time? Does the metric assume all steelhead are equal? Is the metric the most steelhead greater than some threshold weight? If it's about numbers or weight, a useful metric would also include equation parameters to cover number of fish in the river, or average weight of fish in a given river. A 20 pound steelhead caught in CA should carry more "weight" than a 20 pound steelhead caught in northern BC, etc.
Sg

What was that quote that was said about him?

"The guy lives for fishing" (?)

Anyone that fishes 365 days a year has my vote!

[Richard Torres]

I think I am the best steelheader ever because I always bring enough whiskey for everybody and too much for myself.

Jason:

What kind of whiskey and i'll let ya know...

I'm partial to a good Irish. But i'm still experimenting..

[Richard Torres]

Here is the Sports Illustrated article.

Chatham talks a lot about Schaadt in the film 'Rivers of a Lost Coast', as do many other fly fishermen. People seem to be interested in Schaadt not only because he was such a good fly fisherman, but because he was a very interesting person in general. The film talks quite a bit about this and begins to explore him more as a person. Should be interesting to those who knew Schaadt as just a fly fisherman to see a different side of him.

"Transported, he would turn to follow the progress of his line downstream until a salmon took, then he would outline the peculiarities of the struggle as he battled the lunging monster to a standstill near the sink. Once again I was under the spell of the only man I know whose every thought, action and possession is a cohesive, unified extension of himself, like the spokes of a wheel coming into contact with the encompassing rim.

Dids:

Thanks for the link. I enjoyed the article..

[Randall Clark]

Uhhhhhm, you're forgetting about a little guy named.... JIM TEENEY!

if you don't believe Panhandle, just ask Teeney...he'll tell you the same thing...

[GualalaRiver]

I now I got into this conversation way late....But believe me he was the BEST. I have fished the Russian, Gualala, Chetco, Smith and even the Kenai and Kasilof in Alaska with Bill. The stories are true and there is many more. Bill was aggressive and positive about what he did. His favorite fly was a Comet....any color comet style will work. His club type hands and bent up right thumb from casting were sensative. I rewraped a rod for him one year with SS guides, he wore them out in a year....ever done that? The first years fishing with him were tough, once a friendship was made he moved in. Into my house while fishing the Gualala, travel trailers side by side at the Smith. Hated by most...as he caught the first, the most and the last. Remember you can't catch a fish unless your hook is in the water...and his was. Don't waste time looking in your fly box for another fly....keep fishing.

In the 60's and 70's the fly fisherman was a new and different bred. I'm happy, old and proud to be one of the guys that fished in that time frame. We have all had are good days on a river...but Bill had more than all of us. Bill and I fished with Jim Tenny and Ed Rice on the Kenai in 1986...Jim caught the only fish in 10 days on the Kenai in mid-May. Bill and I caught our share on the Kasilof. I miss he dearly....Please you guys see the movie and remember the names and faces you see in the movie....as they were the pioneers of what you have and enjoy today. Arch Richardson, Stewarts Point, CA arch_hunting-n-fishing-fool.com This will be my first and last post, found this sight while surfing and had to let you know...........BILL WAS AND IS THE BEST-AND ALWAYS WILL BE...