I am still holding out hope for a steelhead season on the upper Columbia this year. When I last checked the steelhead counts over Priest Rapids Dam, it showed as of the 21st of this month there were 9,055 that had passed over the dam. According to my source with the WDFW we need at least 9,550, and at least 1,300 wilds. Although the number of fish passing over the dam is down to a trickle, they are still coming, and we have more than enough wilds in the mix. What the heck. I am going to get my gear ready. I made a huge mistake last year when I just grabbed my favorite rod and reel and hit the door. I figured the fancy braid I had loaded on my reel wouldn’t deteriorate stored in my dark garage. My logic cost me a terrific fish. The memory of that fish flashing below my bobber and taking off upriver and jumping three feet out of water will be with me forever. When my line broke, so did my heart. Everything is going to be replaced. I am not going to lose another steelhead due to my neglect. They are just too precious.