Simms
New member
Good Morning Gentlemen,
So far only 2 people have emailed me. I realize it is still a bit early, however if you could just commit to a dish right in the immediate future it would be great. Before we know it, this weekend will be upon us. Again, take a looks at my write up a few posts down. Thank you for your time.
While I'm here and still have connection via Starbucks WiFi from my truck, HAHA, I will do a little write up for those beginner steel headers..HOwever, steelhead or not, the below write up holds true for any trout species...
WHERE TO FIND STEELHEAD IN THE FALL?
Well folks, this is easy. EVERYWHERE. Up until the winter doldrums set in hardcore, which is normally mid december, steelhead will be situated in EVERY type of water due to the fact the water is not cold enough to warrant them finding deeper, slower pools. While you may think this is "easy" I find it much harder than colder/HIGHER water. WHY? There is so much GOOD water on the salmon, steelhead can literally be anywhere, thus slowing down you movements down stream whether youre in a boat or by foot. EVERY possible spots needs to be thoroughly scoured. THe good thing about this, steelhead during Oct/Nov/Dec/ are very aggressive so you dont need to spend all day fish a set of riffs. Hit and go, however as I previously stated, this considerably slows down your ability to cover LOTS of water.
I actually prefer High HIgh HIGh HIGH water when steelheading. EVEN WHEN fishing from the bank. WHY? STEELHEAD ARE LAZY! Too often you see individuals wading out to their nut sack with a preconcieved notion fish are ON THE OTHER BANK. NO. Well, yes they are, BUT, they are all on YOUR bank too. FIsh are lazy and will immediately move to slower water in high water, which is normally right on the bank...After April 1st this year, the Salmon RIver never went below 2500 for a few months. WHile many groaned, I jumped with joy. I caught more fish WITHOUT even stepping foot in the river, than I did when I was in it. All you need to do is present the offering literally right next to the bank, BAM! High water also means finding that fast current with he back eddie or slack seam right beside it. You can be assured fish are stacked right there. As I said, caught more fish with dry feet this spring than I could have imagined. I saw way too many people almost being swept away trying to get out to "that spot"..Truth is, they just spooked all the fish away from the bank, and there is NO fish in "that spot"...
IN the cold, winter months, steelhead are on the bottom of DEEP pools, out of any current. So, this makes finding fish easy, however getting them to take is another story. The old addage is true, you need o bounce it right off their nose. If you do get a warm 40 or 50 degree day for a few days during the winter, GO FISH FOR CHROME! They will be more active than they ever been in the winter...THEY WILL HIT and you WILL have a "decent" day! HOwever, when the snows blanket the bank, and your guides are freeing up, FIND the INSIDE bends, DEEP POOLs to catch steel... Staircase/ballpark/clam bed are not spots you wan to fish in dead of winter. lol
So, take 3 things with you from this post.
Early fall-Decemberish, FISH EVERY piece of water. Make GOOD drifts, MAKE THEM COUNT, and move on.
High water- FISH FROM THE BANK! Fish are there, NO NEED TO GO IN THE WATER. If you want to target that slow seem out a little bit, FISH THE BANK FIRST, then go.
Cold water/winter months- fish SLOW and DEEP on the inside bends and DEEP holes. There WILL be fish there, just be patient. Remember, a 2 or 3 fish day in February is like a 25 fish day in November...
TIGHT LINES and PM what you are bringing!
So far only 2 people have emailed me. I realize it is still a bit early, however if you could just commit to a dish right in the immediate future it would be great. Before we know it, this weekend will be upon us. Again, take a looks at my write up a few posts down. Thank you for your time.
While I'm here and still have connection via Starbucks WiFi from my truck, HAHA, I will do a little write up for those beginner steel headers..HOwever, steelhead or not, the below write up holds true for any trout species...
WHERE TO FIND STEELHEAD IN THE FALL?
Well folks, this is easy. EVERYWHERE. Up until the winter doldrums set in hardcore, which is normally mid december, steelhead will be situated in EVERY type of water due to the fact the water is not cold enough to warrant them finding deeper, slower pools. While you may think this is "easy" I find it much harder than colder/HIGHER water. WHY? There is so much GOOD water on the salmon, steelhead can literally be anywhere, thus slowing down you movements down stream whether youre in a boat or by foot. EVERY possible spots needs to be thoroughly scoured. THe good thing about this, steelhead during Oct/Nov/Dec/ are very aggressive so you dont need to spend all day fish a set of riffs. Hit and go, however as I previously stated, this considerably slows down your ability to cover LOTS of water.
I actually prefer High HIgh HIGh HIGH water when steelheading. EVEN WHEN fishing from the bank. WHY? STEELHEAD ARE LAZY! Too often you see individuals wading out to their nut sack with a preconcieved notion fish are ON THE OTHER BANK. NO. Well, yes they are, BUT, they are all on YOUR bank too. FIsh are lazy and will immediately move to slower water in high water, which is normally right on the bank...After April 1st this year, the Salmon RIver never went below 2500 for a few months. WHile many groaned, I jumped with joy. I caught more fish WITHOUT even stepping foot in the river, than I did when I was in it. All you need to do is present the offering literally right next to the bank, BAM! High water also means finding that fast current with he back eddie or slack seam right beside it. You can be assured fish are stacked right there. As I said, caught more fish with dry feet this spring than I could have imagined. I saw way too many people almost being swept away trying to get out to "that spot"..Truth is, they just spooked all the fish away from the bank, and there is NO fish in "that spot"...
IN the cold, winter months, steelhead are on the bottom of DEEP pools, out of any current. So, this makes finding fish easy, however getting them to take is another story. The old addage is true, you need o bounce it right off their nose. If you do get a warm 40 or 50 degree day for a few days during the winter, GO FISH FOR CHROME! They will be more active than they ever been in the winter...THEY WILL HIT and you WILL have a "decent" day! HOwever, when the snows blanket the bank, and your guides are freeing up, FIND the INSIDE bends, DEEP POOLs to catch steel... Staircase/ballpark/clam bed are not spots you wan to fish in dead of winter. lol
So, take 3 things with you from this post.
Early fall-Decemberish, FISH EVERY piece of water. Make GOOD drifts, MAKE THEM COUNT, and move on.
High water- FISH FROM THE BANK! Fish are there, NO NEED TO GO IN THE WATER. If you want to target that slow seem out a little bit, FISH THE BANK FIRST, then go.
Cold water/winter months- fish SLOW and DEEP on the inside bends and DEEP holes. There WILL be fish there, just be patient. Remember, a 2 or 3 fish day in February is like a 25 fish day in November...
TIGHT LINES and PM what you are bringing!
