| We all want to be on the river when steelhead | | | | conditions can change from crystal clear to that of a |
| fishing is at its best, however knowing just when this | | | | chocolate milk shake suddenly. Under these conditions |
| is going to be depends on many factors. The run | | | | fishing is going to be at its toughest now. If you are |
| timing for each river is going to be different, and the | | | | fishing some of the smaller rivers and steams try |
| best way to get information on a particular section | | | | fishing close to the banks as it offers the steelhead |
| of river is to check with a local sports shop. Owners | | | | some protection from the floating debris and is also |
| of these sports shop make a living selling steelhead | | | | where the current is not as strong. If you are fishing |
| anglers gear, and they know that if they provide | | | | the larger rivers try finding some deeper holes too. |
| accurate up to-date information they will build trust | | | | The darker colored lures work the best now. |
| with the anglers and this trust may just lead to a | | | | Rising PressureWhen the pressure starts to rise |
| sale. Plus many of these shop owners are steelhead | | | | usually after a storm moves through fishing will start |
| anglers themselves and know just how important | | | | to improve as the fish again become active. |
| good information is to someone planning a fishing trip, | | | | Steelhead at this time will normally still be found in the |
| they will also give you some very good ideas on | | | | slower moving deeper pools or close to the banks |
| what type of bait and tactics are working. | | | | out of the main river currents. While you will not find |
| Once you have a general idea of when the steelhead | | | | them charging up the river just yet they are more |
| will be in the river section you would like to fish it is | | | | likely to be enticed into striking then during the storm. |
| important to keep an eye on the weather reports. | | | | Bright colors fished along the edges of the main |
| The weather is one of the most important aspects | | | | current should work well, as will fishing them in the |
| when it comes to steelhead fishing, or any type of | | | | deeper pools where the fish were holding during the |
| fishing for that matter. You not only want to be | | | | storm. |
| prepared for the weather yourself but the fish | | | | Steady Pressure/Normal Pressure: |
| activity is greatly influenced by the weather. Knowing | | | | This is typically found on those days where you have |
| how the steelhead or fish react to weather changes | | | | hazy sunshine or it is over cast but no precipitation is |
| will definitely let you know in advance just how good | | | | predicted. Fishing should be fair to good on these |
| of a chance you will have of hooking into a steelhead. | | | | days. You will find steelhead through the river and |
| Here are some general rules of thumb with regards | | | | they will be active enough to get them interested in |
| to the weather and fishing that will help with picking | | | | what you have to offer. Most any of the standard |
| the best times to fish for steelhead. | | | | steelhead gear will work now so try your favorites. |
| Pressure High:Typically gives you those bright sunny | | | | Dropping Pressure: |
| days and while this is great weather for fishing it is | | | | As a storm approaches and the pressure beings to |
| not typically the best weather for catching fish | | | | fall you will want to be on the river. This is the best |
| especially if you are steelhead fishing. Fishing in | | | | time to fish as the fish now are at their most active |
| general usually slows down during high pressure. | | | | state. Steelhead will become aggressive when the |
| Steelhead spook easily and this is more than ever | | | | pressure is falling and they seem to strike at almost |
| true now, with the sun out and casting shadows it is | | | | anything that passes by them. If you can time your |
| hard to get your presentation in front of them | | | | steelhead fishing trip so you arrive on the river the |
| without scaring them off. Deep pools and areas that | | | | day before a storm moves in your chance for |
| are shaded will offer you the best chance for | | | | success will be greatly improved. |
| success under these conditions. Try slowing down | | | | While it is true you can catch steelhead in just about |
| what ever type of presentation you are using and | | | | any weather, if you want to make a trip that is |
| use pale colors for the best results. | | | | going to give you the best chance of success, then it |
| Low Pressure:Usually means you will be fighting rainy | | | | is important to consider what the weather is going to |
| and or snowy conditions so make sure you take | | | | be doing. Planning a trip where you have the weather |
| along the appropriate clothing. You will find that in | | | | working for you instead of against you is always |
| general the fish are much less active during these | | | | something you should do before you take off after |
| times, although a good rain usually signals the | | | | that often finicky steelhead. Being on the water at |
| steelhead to start to move again they typically do | | | | the proper time is going to improve your fishing |
| not hit well in a driving rain. If it is a large storm river | | | | success. |