I’m still shaking. I caught my largest steelhead ever today on a modified Cascade Jig by Dan Cox.
It measured 38.5 inches by 21 inches of girth. According to the common fish calculator…this fish went 21.22 pounds. And yes. That’s a clipped fin.
Much more to come from an absolutely special day I will never forget. I’m grateful my dad was along side for this one too. I haven’t heard him squeal like that since Alaska.
Christopher H3llcat Heller
A Christmas Miracle Steelhead
Posted: December 26, 2011 by Hellcat in Fish Reports, Gear Fishing, Salmon, Trout & SteelheadTags: 21 pound steelhead, 21lber, Biggest, Christmas Miracle, H3llcat, hellcat, huge steelhead, steelhead
Comments
BEEEAAASSSTTT……………….
Thanks, Murr.
Good looking fish Hellcat! Looks like there are still some around. Happy to see it’s still producing for you.
FM
….with much thanks to you, FM. I’ll shoot you over a full report after a bit by email.
It fought like a salmon and we thought you were going to have to chase it down stream. A truly big dude. The one I got was brighter though. Nice going Chris. Sal
Sah-weet! Thats a hatchery fish and a half right thurr!
Great job!
Hey thanks a ton man.
Holy Crap!,,,,one huge, huge steelie young man,,, wife said, Momma Mia!,,,you’ll have to tell me about the gang tackle at a latter date,,,,,Congrat’s buddy!
Awesome fish Heller. Congrats.
Quite the fish, Bro! This has been quite the year for you. Team Smolt, your personal record Fall Chinook, Now Steelhead. That Epic Toad of a Silver. Not to mention you putting newbs like myself on fish and showing the way of the samurai. We are all lucky to be your friend and fishing homies. I sure am glad your wife is so understanding that she lets you get out as often as you do…emphasis on “she lets” :-0
Thanks Lyncher….you have had quite the weekend yourself. Look for your chrome on the site soon.
Thank you, Captain.
Hey thanks a lot Hustler. I’m just riding the wave. Streaks come and go but personal records like my 50+ and 20+ might happen once in a lifetime. I am truly grateful. It brings me great joy to share my knowledge with passionate anglers like yourself. You’ve had some big accomplishments yourself this year.
What a fish! Congratulations & keep whack-n-stacken. Living my winter steelhead season through your web site since rupturing my Achilles tendon.
Dang Kevin I’m so sorry to hear about the injury. The Fishin Magician and I were just saying we should all three get out together. That’s going to have to wait now….:(
That’s a great way to spend the day after Christmas both you and your dad getting into fish. Got new boots with cleats no more bloopers for me.
Holy crap! That thing is a slab. Nice work dude.
What a toad, way to go h3ll. Can’t wait for all the details.
Thanks, Donaca. It was an amazing day no doubt. What I live for. Days like this.
Thanks, Supe.
BURGE! I got your msg and heard you’re getting out this week. Let’s catch up before that. You going coastal? Thanks for the comment buddy. Miss fishing with ya. It’s been way too long.
Knock Knock, Who’s there? Heller, Heller who? Heller with ANOTHER personal record for 2011! Awesome fish bud! So what’s in store for 2012? 60 pound king and a 30 pound steelhead:)
Damn I love this game. Thanks Crush! I really enjoy getting out there on the river with you. You’re a good man. If I break the personal records from this year I might just pass out from disbelief. A 50plus chinook and a 20plus steelhead is really all a river junkie can ask for in a lifetime of beating the bank and yanking on the oars. It’s not beyond me at how grateful I am. Thanks for your comment, brother.
That fish is ridiculous! Congratulations on what I am sure was a wonderful experience and fish of a lifetime.
Thanks DC. I am planning on getting a reproduction wall mount of this fish when I can afford. It still doesn’t seem real. You can’t imagine the runs that thing took.
I see tough decisions in your future heller…gee, should i get my 50 pound king mounted or my 20 pound steelhead mounted first? Or maybe a combo price and do both at once?What a problem to have bud….
I see your point, Crush. Maybe I should do a half n half? You know…like the steelhead’s Head and the chinooks body? Make it all creature-like….Clash of the Titans…only call it Clash of the personal bests. The nice thing about getting measurement is that along with pictures I can have those made anytime knowing that I caught them. I am hella grateful.
That is the way to do it!One day i am going to have a mount of something done,Have to catch it first tho haha,One day….Glad to be there the days you got your two personal bests and be your “lou holtz to chrome”I knew you would get a fish buddy and i knew you weren’t leaving without one on the other hand:)
You were the positivity in my ear that I needed to push through that tough time when all you guys were sitting there with fish. Plus, you laughed at my Elvis impression Christmas music I was hammering away on all morning. That got you big points.
“Uh Huh well here comes santa clause, uh huh well her comes santa clause”…God damn that was funny.You definantly had that stuck in your head and then mine too after all morning listening to you sing that to everyone around.Fun times
Damn, i say DAMN that is a beauty Chris! It would be a shame to not have that one on the wall at some point. That way, every time you walk by, you will be blessed with the memory of what sounds like a terrific day with your dad and your friends. After all that is the important part, that fish just happens to be a HUGE bonus. Nice job and thanks for sharing.
1 healthy boy, 1 50# king,1 15# silver, a 20+ steelie, a pretty awsome wife, and a partridge in a pair tree!!!
Heller of a way to end 2011 bud.
Need to catch up with you this week, I am going to try to pull the “hey its my last weekend to fish before I have to buy a new liscence” game with the wife. We will see how it works out.
H20
Thanks everyone! I spent two weeks on this movie….so much content to pour back through….luckily I keep my files by month! Makes it easier to chronologically detail the year’s highlights. Of course there’s always stuff I have to leave out…but I’m glad this one hit the spot.
H2O: I’m fishing Sun and Mon…(rivers permitting)…would either of those days work for you? Hopefully the freezing level comes down in time for smaller rivers to fish. A toss up with the rain we’re getting tonight again. Anyway, thanks for the kind words man. I couldn’t have asked for a better year. I am a grateful angler and father no doubt. And yes. Mila is so RAD I cannot believe she is all mine.
wish my camera hadn’t died. if only we could all see the video of the look on your face when Sal asked if that was 8# leader!
kick ass stellie bro god has truely blessed your trip on that day.