Have you ever gone steelhead fishing with some one and had them catch fish all day long and you very seldom even get a hit? Do not feel alone if this has happened as I think that we all have been there at some point. I do have some simple tips that will help you turn the tide as to how often this happens though.

I remember years ago now when I first started to steelhead fish how frustrated I would become when my fishing partners were reeling in steelhead and all I could do was watch. I would be fishing right next to them, using the same bait, same lure, and casting to the same spot. The only thing I would hook was an occasional rock. Does this sound familiar, been there done that type of deal. I started to believe that they had some sort of secret bait and they were not telling me. They would even go as far as to set up my lure and bait just like theirs and still nothing.

Then one day while steelhead fishing with a good friend who has since past I decided to sit and watch to see just what the difference was. I watch for quite awhile and I still could not figure out what he was doing different then what I was doing. He would cast up stream just a little ahead of where he was standing, let the line hit bottom, reel in the slack line, and let his bait drift through the hole. I had done the same thing hundreds of times but could not get a hit. I guess I should mention that I did get a few but just not on a regular basis as he was doing.

I continued to watch for a little longer determined to figure this out. Then I noticed that the tip of his rod would bounce when his line hit a rock in the bottom of the river, and then be still for a little while before hitting another rock, which would make his rod tip bounce again. Suddenly the lights came on!! I was using more weight, my bait was actually dragging the bottom, and his was bouncing off the bottom. I was always told to keep your bait or lure on the bottom if you wanted to catch a steelhead. I took that to mean you actually had to stay on the bottom all the time.

Once I saw what was happening and experimenting with different weights and line weights. I got to where I would feel my line bounce of the bottom float a little ways and then bounce again; I too started to catch those elusive steelheads on a regular basis.

Seven Steelhead Fishing Tips

If you too are having trouble hooking into steelhead on a regular basis here are seven tips:

1. Try reducing the amount of weight you use.
2. Use as light of line as you are comfortable with.
3. Try adjusting the length of your leader making it longer or shorter to get the right drift.
4. In heavy currents try to use a smaller bait or lure.
5. Keep your line tight so you feel the bottom it should feel like bounce pause, bounce pause. Not bounces, bounce, bounce! Do not cast upstream to far you will only snagged more often.
6. If you are not hitting bottom in a drift add a little weight at a time until you get the right drift.
7. If you just cannot seem to find the right, combinations for a good drift try drifting your lure from a slip bobber. You can adjust them so your lure or bait floats right in the strike zone.

Scenic Clearwater River A Steelhead Fishing Paradise 

The Clearwater River in North Central Idaho is home to some of the largest Steelhead in the continental United States. It is well renowned

for its Steelhead Runs along with a very Good Salmon and Cutthroat trout fishery. The Clearwater River is one of those spots that most fly fisherman only dreams of experiencing. And yet it is one of America most easily accessible rivers with Idaho State Highway 12 following it across the state.

 Take highway 12 as you leave south of Lewiston and you will follow one of the most pristine rivers in the state as it works its way east. There is a number of public access points along the way many have boat launches picnic and camping areas. As you dive along this beautiful river you will be able to see an abundance of wild life turkeys, deer, and elk abound along the entire stretch of the river. 

My Main passion for this river however remain with its exceptional fishery Steelhead can be found and caught from September through April, in April you start to see some of the first Chinook as they make their way upstream and they usually have fishing for these great fish until the end of June as well. From June to September you can enjoy some of the best Cutthroat Trout fishing imaginable any where in the United States.

If you want to have the Fishing experience of a lifetime while enjoying some spectacular scenery you should really consider a trip along the beautiful Clearwater River here in Idaho.

By: RR Smith

When fishing for steelhead in large bodies of water pulling plugs is a deadly steelhead fishing technique. This technique works well throughout the season and is one that I prefer when the water temperatures fall and the steelhead become sluggish. You are able to keep this plug waving around in front of them longer and encouraging a strike. In order for this to work for you, it is important that you know where their holding spots are or at least what a holding spot would look like. You could spend the day drifting your plug through nothing but open water if you are not familiar with steelheads habits and knowing where they like to hold is necessary in order for pulling plugs to be successful.

Some of the popular plugs here in Oregon, Washington and Idaho include:
• Hotshots,
• Wiggle Warts,
• Tadpollys,
• Kwikfish,
• Flatfish,

Just about any bass plug that dives from six to fifteen feet and is available in good steelhead colors will work for steelhead. Hotshots and Wiggle Warts would be my first choice if you were just starting out or on a tight budget.

Some of my favorite colors are red, blue/silver, chartreuse/silver, red/white, and bright blue. The angler should have several colors to use throughout the day, as different colors seem to be preferred at times by that crazy steelhead.

Plugs are commonly used from a jetsled or driftboat. However, side plane drifters are also becoming popular throughout the area. You begin at the top or upstream portion of steelhead holding water and backing down slowly trying to keep the plug in the steelheads face. Usually they will get irritated when the rattling plug is near pushing them out of where they want to be and they will slam it violently.

Pulling plugs is a very exciting way to spend the day on the river and when the fish are active, it will keep you in suspense waiting for one of those violent strikes that are so common when fishing this way. If you ever have a chance, I recommend giving pulling a pug a try.

One of the most important things a steelhead angler needs to learn is the run timing of the rivers they fish. Some good ways to do this is watching for concentrations of other anglers, contacting local hatcheries for return information, reading fishing articles, and check several Websites for updated information on Steelhead returns. Also, successful steelhead angling depends primarily on river levels or flow rates, and water clarity water temperature does play a part also however I do not believe this is as important as water color. You can find this information on the USGS website for almost all rivers and this information is kept current as to flows and anticipated flows.If you head out after a heavy rain, with a few exceptions you will be wasting your time. Clear water is good, green or slightly colored water is even better, so call someone if you can and find out how the rivers and fishing are; most of your locale tackle shops will be able to provide you some information.

Over the years I have learned that line size, hook size and weight affect the drift angle and your presentation of the bait which plays a big role in increasing the percentage of strikes. You could write a book about each one of these items but if you remember to decrease the size of each of the above mentioned items you will be on the right tract. I have learned that when drift fishing from a boat, different styles of boats react differently in the current, this has a direct affect on the way the angler is able to drift the bait along the bottom.

Small spinners, drifted yarn flies, and float-fished roe bags, or shrimp are deadly on most steelhead rivers, so are black or brown nymph imitations. Sometimes under the right conditions (I wish I could tell you what these conditions are but I never know when they prefer these) steelhead will go crazy for medium-sized spoons and/or spinners. You cast them quartering upstream, let them sink almost to the bottom, and start a slow retrieve when the current starts to swings it towards the bank.

During the later steelhead season fly anglers that are skilled at nymph fishing can do very well in many of the runs. You can fly fish with less knowledge about bugs as it is more about presentation with the steelhead the which fly you should be using. You should be ready for cold water fishing as the water temps can be in the mid 30 degree range but for those who enjoy this type of fishing it can be extremely satisfying. Try swinging streamers made of rabbit or marabou if a steelhead is out there they should produce a strike and for what ever reason they seem to hit this type of fly pretty hard.

Steelhead fishing in Oregon, Washington and Idaho has some of the finest steelhead fishing found anywhere in the world. The abundant rivers and rainfall that frequent the Pacific Northwest coast provides for ideal steelhead and salmon fishing opportunities. Just about any time of year, a steelhead angler can find an opportunity to pursue steelhead. Idaho thanks to the Snake, Clearwater, and Salmon Rivers offers the angler fishing opportunities from August through the end of April.

Steelheads are the most sought after game fish here in the Northwest and possibly the world. There are some excellent runs of native fish that angler can fish for along the coastline. These native fish are on a catch and release basis only however.

Most rivers in Oregon and Washington have both Summer Steelhead and Winter Steelhead. The summer run fish begin arriving in the spring and stay in the rivers until the next winter when they spawn and head back to the ocean. These summer fish are very aggressive and will take lures, flies, bait and most anything, that is presented to them. The summer steelhead when they come back into the rivers are aggressive feeders and they actually revert back to the behaviors of a big rainbow trout as they live in the rivers for many months before actually spawning.

Fishing for these fish can be very exciting as they are very acrobatic and jump frequently and are very strong fighting fish. The summer fish are a very colorful fish with similar markings to a trout. One exception is the metallic looking head and the big red stripe down the side. Steelheads are also much bigger than a trout. Winter Steelhead begin coming into the rivers in the late fall usually with the first good rainfall. The first to arrive are the hatchery fish, which traditionally begin to show around thanksgiving on some rivers with the bulk of the runs occurring from Christmas to mid January.

The native fish usually come in later beginning in February and continuing until April or so. These winter fish are chrome bright as they enter the rivers and will be a dark blue on the back with bright silver white sides.

The winter steelheads are not as aggressive biters as the summer fish and can be quite challenging to catch. These fish are coming in to spawn and they usually do this quickly after entering the fresh water. Because they do begin to discolor quickly and begin there spawning activity almost immediately after entering there home rivers it is very important to be on the river in the right spot at the right time with the right river conditions to be able to catch a beautiful chrome bright winter steelhead. It is a very good idea to go with someone that knows the river well or hire a guide if you wish to have good success on the winter fish.