| One of the most important things a steelhead angler | | | | I have learned that when drift fishing from a boat, |
| needs to learn is the run timing of the rivers they | | | | different styles of boats react differently in the |
| fish. Some good ways to do this is watching for | | | | current, this has a direct affect on the way the |
| concentrations of other anglers, contacting local | | | | angler is able to drift the bait along the bottom. |
| hatcheries for return information, reading fishing | | | | Small spinners, drifted yarn flies, and float-fished roe |
| articles, and check several Websites for updated | | | | bags, or shrimp are deadly on most steelhead rivers, |
| information on Steelhead returns. Also, successful | | | | so are black or brown nymph imitations. Sometimes |
| steelhead angling depends primarily on river levels or | | | | under the right conditions (I wish I could tell you |
| flow rates, and water clarity water temperature | | | | what these conditions are but I never know when |
| does play a part also however I do not believe this is | | | | they prefer these) steelhead will go crazy for |
| as important as water color. You can find this | | | | medium-sized spoons and/or spinners. You cast them |
| information on the USGS website for almost all rivers | | | | quartering upstream, let them sink almost to the |
| and this information is kept current as to flows and | | | | bottom, and start a slow retrieve when the current |
| anticipated flows. | | | | starts to swings it towards the bank. |
| If you head out after a heavy rain, with a few | | | | During the later steelhead season fly fishers that are |
| exceptions you will be wasting your time. Clear water | | | | skilled at nymph fishing can do very well in many of |
| is good, green or slightly colored water is even | | | | the runs. You can fly fish with less knowledge about |
| better, so call someone if you can and find out how | | | | bugs as it is more about presentation with the |
| the rivers and fishing are; most of your locale tackle | | | | steelhead the which fly you should be using. You |
| shops will be able to provide you some information. | | | | should be ready for cold water fishing as the water |
| Over the years I have learned that line size, hook | | | | temps can be in the mid 30 degree range but for |
| size and weight affect the drift angle and your | | | | those who enjoy this type of fishing it can be |
| presentation of the bait which plays a big role in | | | | extremely satisfying. Try swinging streamers made |
| increasing the percentage of strikes. You could write | | | | of rabbit or marabou if a steelhead is out there they |
| a book about each one of these items but if you | | | | should produce a strike and for what ever reason |
| remember to decrease the size of each of the | | | | they seem to hit this type of fly pretty hard. |
| above mentioned items you will be on the right tract. | | | | |