How to for Steelhead Drift Fishing and Salmon Drift Fishing in Freshwater
This article describes the basics of freshwater Steelhead and salmon fishing for the beginning angler. River drift fishing is probably the most common method used for steelhead and salmon. As and drift fishing salmon are very similar you can apply them when steelhead drifting and salmon drift fishing. It is intended only as a beginning, and is not meant to cover every aspect of salmon drift fishing, or steelhead drift fishing. After you get your feet wet, you can and should constantly search for additional information to improve your abilities and skills.
Freshwater salmon fishing and steelhead fishing can be done from the shore or a boat, and the drift fishing method described can be used either way. Boat fishing affords anglers some opportunities not available to the shore anglers.
Steelhead Drift Fishing And Salmon Drift Fishing:
These techniques will work well when either drift fishing for steelhead or drift fishing for salmon. Drift fishing is a common method used to catch both steelhead and salmon. The angler casts their line upstream, you then let the line drift down through the run or pool. Once your line reaches the end of the drift you then reel in the line to start the drifting process over again. Drift fishing is normally done from the shore or an anchored boat.
Generally, the idea is to have enough weight for your setup to bounce along the bottom, touching every foot or two. Ideally, it will drift at approximately the same speed the current is moving. More weight will slow down the speed at which your bait drifts downstream, and less weight will speed up the drift.
The best strategy is to work the entire run from close to the shore and working your way out with each following cast. Once you have covered all the water, you can reach from where you are standing move down a couple of steps and repeat the process. If you get a hit or catch a steelhead or salmon try to make a mental note of where you caste and where the fish hit. Steelhead and salmon use what are called runs so if you catch one it is likely that you will be able to catch more at the same location.
Figure 1. Diagram showing standard strategy for drift fishing a run or drift on a river.
When fishing in crowded conditions, you may simply have to work your way into a line of anglers and fish right where you are, without moving. Cast upstream at a 30-45 degree angle and let your bait bounce along until you reach a 45-30 degree angle downstream. Reel in and do it again. Your goal is to bounce your offering along the bottom until a fish picks it up with its mouth.
Beginning anglers often have trouble telling when a fish picks up the hook or when their gear has caught on a rock. Over time, you will develop a feel for the difference and learn when to set the hook and when to gently coax the gear off of the rocks. You should always remember that when in doubt, set the hook.
Typical drift fishing gear:
- For a good steelhead drift rod or salmon drift rod you will need a 8 ½ or 9 foot rod rated for 10-30 pound line.
- As for a drift fishing reel either a bait casting reel or a spinning reel will work I prefer a bait casting reel on large rivers and a spinning reel on smaller rivers and streams.
- For larger fish, like chinook salmon, use 20-25 pound line. Depending on where you are fishing you may need even heavier line.
- For steelhead drift fishing, you will be using 10-15 pound line most of the time.
You will find there is an endless variety of weights, lures, floats, and/or baits that anglers can use while drift fishing for salmon, and an even larger variety when drift fishing for steelhead.
A standard setup for drift fishing:
One example of a steelhead drift fishing rig using standard salmon drift fishing gear:
1. A snap swivel at the end of the mainline,
2. A leader ranging in length from 12” to 48”
3. A single hook tied on with an with egg loop
4. A corky on the line above the hook, and yarn on the hook
5. For weight, push the snap swivel through a 2.5″ long piece of rubber tubing and then push a pencil lead into the tubing, or simply push the snap through the parachute cord of a slinky weight.
6. Bait and/or scent can be added to this rig.
• Salmon roe and sand shrimp are the most popular baits to add to this setup when drift fishing for salmon, but many others are used.
• Roe, bait shrimp, and night crawlers seem to be the preferred baits for steelhead drift fishing.
7. Instead of a corky and yarn setup, you can also substitute a winged bobber or other drift bobbers, for the corky or just fish bait alone.
8. The weight and corky setup can be replaced with spoons or spinners, bouncing them along the bottom and slowly retrieving them.
Before you head out drifting for steelhead please visit our shop at where you will find all the steelhead gear and salmon gear you need.
Looking for Solitude Try Fly Fishing in Idaho
Idahos Premier Henry's Lake
One of the best parts about the sport of fly-fishing is experiencing the scenery and calmness around you as you are trying to land your big fish. Idaho is a great place to find some solitude while fly-fishing. In fact, the vast expanses that surround the rivers and streams in Idaho can provide you with some of the most relaxing solitude anywhere.
Idaho fly-fishing is legendary. Anglers from all over the world travel to Idaho to experience fly fishing the Blue Ribbon Trout Rivers and pristine mountain lakes. Whether an angler seeks to battle trophy sized wild rainbow trout, and steelhead or salmon on the Snake, Salmon or Clearwater Rivers or to experience the solitude of a high mountain lake, Idaho provides fly fishing experiences like no other place can.
Idaho provides such an abundance of opportunities that visiting anglers frequently have difficulty in deciding where to start their fly-fishing adventure. There are so many beautiful places in the hills of Idaho that can provide both solitude and great fishing, many people might be overwhelmed. But so many choices provide for some amazing chances at bagging that championship fish!
For example, the shallow water and heavy weed growth make Henry’s Lake a fly angler’s dream. Henrys Lake is probably the finest fly-fishing lake in Idaho. Flanked by mountains, this lake is not only a beautiful place to catch fish; it is also an amazing spot for reflecting and relaxation.
Of course, the Snake River is the longest river in Idaho. The upper reaches is free of any major dams, and its flow is not regulated in any way, so you can find an abundance of fish in the solitude of the mountain air. In fact, the Snake River is internationally known as one of the premier trout rivers in the United States.
Even though you can expect to catch a variety of trout including rainbow and cutthroat trout, you will also find whitefish and sturgeon aplenty. Even though the Snake River is quite well known for its fly-fishing in Idaho, it is not overtaken by so many fly anglers that you can’t find a spot. It remains a beautiful secret available to those who are looking for the solitude of the Idaho countryside.
Finding solitude while fly-fishing in Idaho is a relatively easy proposition. All you need to do is a little bit of research and ask around. Those who are proud of the fly-fishing waters in Idaho are always more than happy to share the beauty of their state with people who want to fish the waters.