Jottings from a Speybum Note Book

Brian Simonseth

I grew up in Mount Vernon, WA. I started fishing the Skagit/Sauk/Stillaguamish Rivers in the late 60’s. My Dad worked for the Carnation Company in Mt. Vernon on the banks of the Skagit. In the summer, I would go to work with him and spend my day fishing.

Hooking up with my FIRST Steelhead was an eye opener that started me down this exciting road of Steelhead fishing. I've experienced some of the best fishing the state has to offer. With my uncle's help we fished some of the best spots around the area; we called it “The Chrome Triangle”

Steelhead has and will always be my fish of choice. That’s why I spend 10 months a year going after them! I fish Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Bristish Columbia. It is a lot of traveling, but time while spent.

I started using two-handed rods in mid-90’s. I started with Sage 9140 and a Windcutter 9/10/11 tip line. Casting was a chore with no one to watch because I learn best by watching.

I started listening to Ed Ward, Marlow Bumpus and Wayne Cline, I owe these three guys a lot too. Their style of lines and casting made all the difference in the world. My learning curve went up really fast with their help.

I took the things that I had learned from Ward, Bumpus, and Cline to start me in line making and design. I've learned that the lines I made back then are still in use today, but with most line system designs have changed to the betterment of fishing. Tapers have changed so much with line design that the new lines that I'm making now cast a great deal easier then the lines I made years ago.

Brian Simonseth

Aka Homer2handed

River Run Anglers 2004