Skookumchuck Steelhead

[Bobberdownchromer]

Heading out to the skookumchuck river for steelhead for my first time.I heard drift fishing is effective so wondering on leader length and corky color and yarn color. Anyone other info is appreciated since Ive never been there.

Thank You

[Weekend-warrior17]

Look up the area/river on google maps to get a better feel for spots your getting into. If you are wondering about a few spots in the "fields" send over a PM and I'll hook ya up with somethin.

I've been down a few times for the last couple weeks and honestly can say I've only pulled out 5 legally hooked hatchery fish and two natives its been off an on but for the most part slowww IMO. Been fishing the fields mostly, tossing a little eggs in the early morning but for the most part throwing a bobber an jig (Recommended jigs for average - decent water conditions like today down there: Nightmare , Red and pink rabbit fur on white jig head, Purple and white marabou on white jig head , or sometimes darkish blue with a black jig head will produce. I run straight jigs under float no scent or bait added and have great success but that's all up to personal preference both work, not to much of a difference when it comes to results in my opinion. I personally don't "drift fish" for steel head unless its drifting eggs with light weight off the bottom so maybe someone else can chip in when it comes to that but to me it doesn't matter on color i usually throw straight black yarn Haha.

Good luckk down there Bobberdown.

[schu7498]

Pearl pink corkie scented with sand shrimp oil is a killer combo. Maybe 3 ft leader at max. Floating same color bead is great too. Good luck!

[stretch]

Don't forget about hardware. I had good luck with a chrome Little Cleo on Sunday.

[Bobberdownchromer]

Ok, thanks

[fear_no_fish]

There is a 20 page thread going on this river. Maybe give that a read for some info.

[mizm05]

I know you mentioned drifting, so I'll comment on that, but you may also want to consider bobber and jig.

For drifting, you don't need much weight. It's a fairly shallow and slow river, but it does have deep spots so be very careful before stepping in any water. Always test the depth in front of you, or just stay on the bank. I usually just use 2 or 3 split shot just below my swivel and that usually gets me ticking the bottom just fine...the most I've had to use there is 1/2 oz cannonball or slinky...may want to consider the slinky or pencil lead because that river can be snaggy. Don't have to run a very long leader. 2 to 3 feet at most. And I've seen various things catch fish...black/purple yarnies, white/pink yarnies, soft plastic egg clusters, pink worms, and I saw a group of guys just killing it floating a single orange bead pegged 3 inches or so above their hook.

But like I said, you may want to float. Last time me and my buddy were out there, we had been at it for about an hour or more with nothing to show for it...then some guy comes up with a bobber and jig, drops it right at his feet by this little bush at the edge of the bank and within 3 casts, wham! Fish on! He nailed a fish right at his feet within 15 minutes of being there. I wanted to scream! LOL

Good luck to ya.