Archive for the ‘Steelhead Fishing’ Category

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.

Fly fishing for steelhead really is no different than any other kind of fishing once you learn the basics and start expanding on what you have learned you will be out there catching Steelhead and be hooked just like the rest of us.

Selecting your Fly Rod and Reel
If you’re new to the sport of fly fishing I recommend that you use the KISS system (keep it simple system). You need to select a rod and reel that will handle these large and sometimes very aggressive fish. That means you should use a heavier rod 7/8 or 8/9 weight rods are a good choice you can use the 5/6 weight but you will need to know how to effectively manipulate these larger fish therefor for the beginner I recommend going with a heaver rod. Rod length depend on what type of river you plan to fish longer rods allow you to make longer cast but are sometimes hard to use along the river bank if there is any amount of brush trees ect along the bank.

Selecting A Fly Reel
Your reel choice is a matter of personal preferences. You do need to match it with your Rod and make sure that it is capable of holding a good amount of backing. Having a drag that will work smoothly for the beginner is a great advantage it keeps the inexperience fly fishermen from having the fish start what I call bucking and ending up getting away.

Backing Fly Lines and Leaders
The backing severs two purposes one to fill your reel and second it gives you extra line for fighting the fish, any braided or Dacron line will do. You could us the super braided lines if you feel you will need the extra line for fight your fish. Match the line weight to match the fish size you anticipate on catching you shouldn’t need anything heavier than 20 lb test however. I like using the brighter colored lines as it helps me watch my line when I do get down to the backing. Remember when fly fishing you are casting your line not the fly for this reason I recommend that you use a weight forward fly line there are other types out there but this is the one I use. I like this type for two reasons one I’m still able to see my fly line and yet I am able to get the fly down where the steelhead like to lay. Make sure you use a good knot to attach your fly line to your backing it needs to be a knot that will travel through the guide on your rod. One of the knots I like to use is the blood knot it’s easy to tie and works well for me. If you feel you need to be official you can buy fly leaders which come in different sizes and lengths and tippet you could really get confused with all these I still do. Normally I just use 10 up to 20 pound (depending on the size of the fish and fishing conditions) fluorocarbon fishing line. In certain situations this line can make a big difference in getting fish to strike, while also offering impressive abrasion-resistance. If there are a lot of snags as there usually are when steelhead fishing I recommend going with a heavier leader. You can then decide for your self as to the length of your leader 10 to 12 feet seems to work well.

Flies and Bait
Their are a number of different fly and lure patterns out there we could talk about this for weeks and still not cover them all. Your best bet is to talk to someone who has fished the area and see what they recommend. I can tell you what I use and have had success with here in Idaho. They are and this is my number one choice the egg sucking leach, egg patterns, wooly buggers. As for what color and size to use just follow this simple rule in stained water use brighter colored large flies and in clear water use smaller drab or natural colored Flies. To get your fly down to where the still head are laying you will probably need to place a small split shot about 12 to 18 inches above your fly you want to just touch the bottom every now and then. If it is hanging up all the time you may have on to much weight play with this until you are getting a good drift.

Fishing Techniques
I have found that most of the time you do not have to make long cast. Fishing most of the rivers here in Idaho my cast are shorter than 25 feet. We could discuss fly casting techniques for ever just strip off 12 to 15 feet of line pull off another 9 to 12 feet of line and let it flow through your guides now just use the normal 9 o’clock 2 o’clock small pause 9 o’clock motion and try to get a smooth flow of your line when you cast it will come with practice. Now hold your pole tip up and follow your drift keep your eye on the furthest part of your line you can see and watch for the indication of a strike. This could be your line changing directions, stopping, or sinking suddenly set the hook and enjoy the battle.

These are just the basics but if you follow them and expand and modify them for your fishing style I’m sure you will be catching those mysterious Steelhead in no time.

The best information will be of little use if it’s not able to be understood you don’t practice it and modify it to suit your needs and then start using it. That being said I hope these few pointers get you started in what I feel is one of the most exciting and challenging ways of fishing for Steelhead.