Trinity River Fly Fishing Report
Jon Baiocchi report on 10.29.2015
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Here is my vacation report,
Jason Cockrum is the man, as is Dave Neal - two super guys who have
excellent PR skills! I’m still daydreaming about those steelhead. Holy
shit dude, fantastic!
My buddy Dave got a hold of me this past summer and wanted
to hook into a steelhead and book a trip on the Trinity River, I combined his
desire with an early 50th birthday present to myself and it was a done deal. It
had been 15 years since I last fished the currents of the Trinity for the
mighty steelhead, you know, the fish of a thousand cast as they say. The
Trinity watershed is dear to my heart, as a young boy my father and I fished
the upper river before it dumps into Trinity lake, and also fished noted
tributaries such as Coffee creek, Eagle creek, and Blue Tangle creek. We used
to go for a couple weeks every June after the bulk of the snowpack melted.
During those times I honed my fly fishing skills and created memories that I
cherish to this day since my dad passed away. As we started our float yesterday
I held those memories close to me, with a hope of hooking into an elusive fish
that has power and strength beyond belief.
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I’ll admit I was a little rusty in my nymphing presentations
since I rarely get to fish on my own anymore, but it soon came back and I got
into the zone, focusing on every drift, and mending away. My first hook up was
a complete rush! The aerial acrobatics these fish display when first hooked is
heart stopping, followed by long runs, and deep bullish tugs of authority. You
may be able to stop a trout most of the time, but when it comes to fighting a
steelhead - They’ve got the upper hand, they’re in control. My first fish was a
beautiful wild hen. I hooked three more throughout the day, one spit the hook,
one broke a hook in half (that fish was beyond toad status, a real athlete!),
and the last I fought for quite a while before outsmarting me and wrapping me
up on the bottom. I was in heaven.
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Our veteran guide was Jason Cockrum who makes his home in
Truckee, Ca along with his adorable family. Jason is an awesome guide who
approaches guiding the same way I do; It’s the client’s day, and they come
first no matter the circumstances while providing the knowledge and instruction
despite the skill set. Jason is a great teacher and has SO much patience, along
with a wealth of information on the Trinity River. My buddy Dave was a complete
rookie with everything to do about fly fishing, let alone steelheading. Jason
worked tirelessly with Dave until he hooked into his first ever steelhead. I
think I was more stoked than the both of them. Jason is an independent guide
and you can contact him here by clicking the link; Jason Cockrum Fly Fishing.
He also works out of the Clearwater Lodge taking guests on the Fall River, the
Pit, and the Lower Sacramento just to name a few. the Clearwater Lodge is a
must experience, unbelievable food and accommodations for the the fly angler
who wants the very best. Jason is such a good dude and a pleasure to be on the
water with! One of the things I was most impressed with is that Jason networks
with quite a few guides on the Trinity like Dave Neal and others. As we floated
down the river they would be texting each other sharing reports on certain
buckets, and helping a brother out. Commeruatity like that on such a river
infested with so many guides, boats, and anglers was refreshing to see.
Dave and I have already planned our next fall trip in 2016
with Jason on the Trinity River, we had an absolute blast! If you’re looking
for a top quality guide for the State of Jefferson, look no further; Jason
Cockrum is the man and a true troutstalker of the highest level!
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