With steelhead season upon us, multitudes of people from various backgrounds are getting ready for the great fly fishing that awaits. The ability to catch your own meal is a rewarding experience that people from all walks of life can truly enjoy. And fly fishing for steelhead on a run is a huge adrenaline rush. Attempting various steelhead fly patterns and landing your fly right next to a massive fish can be quite the thrill.
Celebrities are not at all immune from this excitement as many take their time off to try their luck at catching a trophy trout with their steelhead flies. The rush of successfully baiting a huge steelhead is unmatched for many, even a sports icon, movie star or world-famous entertainer. Here's a few celebrities who are fondest of fishing on the fly, especially casting out their steelhead flies during this exciting winter run.
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is nothing short of interesting when it comes to his hobbies which include having a pilot's license for both airplanes and helicopters. So, you can imagine why traditional fishing simply does not spur the same kind of excitement in Ford as strategically using his quiver of steelhead fly patterns to catch the prized fish. The star has noted that he wishes he could fish as much as he used to but a demanding professional career has limited his trips.
Do not be surprised to see Ford out while fly fishing on the Snake River for some of the best Steelhead fishing in the US. This is known to be one of his favorite rivers to skate steelhead flies. And it's no wonder because natural reproduction and fish stocking has made it a fly-fishing paradise boasting an amazing diversity of fish.
Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay has built an empire of culinary shows and books, and everything in between. What most people do not know is both Gordon and his brother had to help put food on their family's table via fly fishing. This gave the culinary genius a true appreciation for both fly fishing and eating freshly-caught fish, and it seems he's never forgotten either.
Fly fishing for steelhead and salmon is a rush for Ramsay, "my time is spent fishing as much as I can. It's my escape." He adds, "when you've hooked a 30-pound salmon, you've got 40 minutes of real aggression." Steelhead has been a favorite catch of Ramsay's as well, and his menus have reflected that. He often prepares decadent trout meals, and since steelhead is a kind of trout, which is a cousin to salmon, they have similar tastes and both are favorites among fish enthusiasts.
Martha Stewart
Many readers might take a second look at this heading as Martha Stewart does not strike many as the fly-fishing type. However, she has in fact done all kinds of fishing expeditions from fly fishing with Ted Turner on the Ruby River targeting the coveted rainbow trout, to Long Island fishing for stripers/bluefish. Rainbow trout and steelhead are in fact the same species, just with different lifestyles. Martha Stewart also has videos that help teach viewers how to catch-and-release fly fish using certain types of steelhead flies. Stewart is an incredibly versatile person with a knack for teaching people various skills from fishing to preparing the perfect holiday food spread.
Jimmy Buffet
Although skating steelhead flies isn't Jimmy Buffet's forte, an article about celebrity fly fishing would not be complete without him. For many years Jimmy Buffet has been synonymous with the Florida lifestyle, and that includes a copious amount of fishing. Florida has some of the best saltwater flats for fly fishing in the entire US. Buffet has been photographed fishing from a paddleboard and even taking deep sea ventures. Saltwater fly fishing offers a great way to take on the marshier lands and shallow water that can only be accessed by airboat.
Fly fishing is truly an activity that spans so many personalities and demographics as it can be equally enjoyable and relaxing whether someone's an A-list Hollywood celebrity, an elementary schoolteacher or your average 9-to-5er. During your next trip do not be surprised if you see someone on this list or another well-known face since fly fishing is such a wonderful pastime.
