tmib
12/16/2014 5:14:00 PMNice fish, and awesome that the other fellow was able to catch one on his first cast! Thanks for the tips here. I don't fish the Big Eddy anymore either, as I don't like crowds. I don't mind a person or two, but I prefer fishing away from the big groups.
I've drifted the river in my boat from Plumb to Neal Road several times, and have scouted out several good locations along the river, but nothing has paid off yet. I've fished the Snoqualmie for a few years now for steelhead, as well as the Cowlitz and Skykomish. I like the Snoqualmie in particular as I can fish for a couple hours in the morning before work, or do an all-day drift on the weekend. However I have yet to catch a steelhead on any river. I checked my logs this morning and I'm about to hit 260 hours of time trying to catch a steelhead without success!
I use a variety of tactics depending on the conditions and where I'm fishing. Swinging a fly on a spey rod, bobber & jig, drifting eggs, corky & yarn, plugging, etc. Nothing yet, but I'm going to keep at it.
I've drifted the river in my boat from Plumb to Neal Road several times, and have scouted out several good locations along the river, but nothing has paid off yet. I've fished the Snoqualmie for a few years now for steelhead, as well as the Cowlitz and Skykomish. I like the Snoqualmie in particular as I can fish for a couple hours in the morning before work, or do an all-day drift on the weekend. However I have yet to catch a steelhead on any river. I checked my logs this morning and I'm about to hit 260 hours of time trying to catch a steelhead without success!
I use a variety of tactics depending on the conditions and where I'm fishing. Swinging a fly on a spey rod, bobber & jig, drifting eggs, corky & yarn, plugging, etc. Nothing yet, but I'm going to keep at it.
docshane
12/16/2014 5:51:00 PMI've been hunting elk in vain for several years, come close to sticking an arrow in several bulls, could've killed a number of cows, but I just can't seal the deal. One thing is for sure, when I do it will be a religious type of experience. You will catch a steelhead and when you do it will be worth all the effort you put into it.
tframe
12/16/2014 6:14:00 PMWell said docshane. Try and pay attention to the little things like leader lengths and the amount of weight you use. Sometimes that can make all the difference. Good luck.
nplinville
12/16/2014 7:19:00 PMLooking to fish cascade for first time for steelhead. Better yet going to fish for steelhead for the first time! Just moved here and I am having fishing withdraws. Your fishing here in the north west is wild! I mean wild! I love it. I fished deception pass with my son for salmon as we are boat less and I am still learning this area. I live in bellingham and would appreciate any coaching possible. I went today and bought two jigs and two floats hope I am headed in right direction. Nice fish by the way! And what a beautiful state you guys have!
BentRod
12/16/2014 7:32:00 PMNice job tframe! and good tips.
@tmib, my advice is to pick one method and master it. Watch others using it successfully and mimic what they do. When I started, after much frustration, I did exactly this. I chose float/jig and worked on it until it paid off, then I perfected it. Now I'm moving on to other methods and am starting to get the hang of those. Steelhead are a challenge, but once you learn where to fish for them and how (depending on method), then they will come readily.
@tmib, my advice is to pick one method and master it. Watch others using it successfully and mimic what they do. When I started, after much frustration, I did exactly this. I chose float/jig and worked on it until it paid off, then I perfected it. Now I'm moving on to other methods and am starting to get the hang of those. Steelhead are a challenge, but once you learn where to fish for them and how (depending on method), then they will come readily.
AJFishdude
12/16/2014 8:14:00 PMI agree completely with BentRod. As fun as it is to have a ton of gear, to take multiple poles on your outings and to try two, three, or even more techniques in a day, it really does pay off to become proficient in one technique and then move outwards from there. I enjoy the excitement of catching fish with multiple techniques, but when it is one of those days where you just really want to catch something, having your 'gimme' technique dialed in can really pay off, especially when it lands you fish while the people around you are getting skunked!
FishingTenor
12/17/2014 12:20:00 AMIt is well worth it to hire a guide who will teach you the techniques, rigging and take you to the fish!
I hired Ryan Hung (Reel Priorities) to teach me the knots, rigging and drilled him with questions. Then we hit the river.
Success can be measured at least a couple of ways. Nice exercise, time on a refreshing and beautiful river and two steelhead. That was an awesome day! Your day is just around the corner. Happy fishing!
I hired Ryan Hung (Reel Priorities) to teach me the knots, rigging and drilled him with questions. Then we hit the river.
Success can be measured at least a couple of ways. Nice exercise, time on a refreshing and beautiful river and two steelhead. That was an awesome day! Your day is just around the corner. Happy fishing!
theDrifter
12/17/2014 12:50:00 PMThanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts on this. New steelheader's can trap themselves into thinking they have to be close to the hatchery to catch a fish but it's simply not the case. Get out there where the fish aren't having jigs bounced off of their heads and enjoy a new experience.
MoonValley
12/23/2014 2:01:00 PMThanks for all the tips, guys. Great advice about focusing on one technique until you build some skill in it. I'm about to spend my first day ever fishing for steelhead. I spent time this summer/fall learning various techniques for Coho. I had the great fortune of spending some time with a guy who's been chasing salmon and steelhead for nearly 50 years. I think he could cast fifty feet into a Starbucks cup in the dark and land a chrome bright Coho. I caught a handful, but nothing like he did. I spent most of my time learning how to fish spinners from the bank or boat, and had a BALL catching some 30+ inch Coho. This week, I've spent a couple of hours along Tokul creek just watching what the guys are doing/using so I'm looking forward to giving it a try over the holiday. The fast water and short drifts are nothing like the spinner fishing in slower, deeper water where getting down on the bottom quickly and retrieving slowly right along the bank was the recipe for success. It was awesome to see a big buck come tearing up from nowhere to pound the spinner in front of your feet. We eventually landed on a single go-to spinner that caught 90+% of our fish. We used some jigs, spoons, and eggs, too, but the 7/8 oz Mepps Flying C was the clear winner. All in all, not a bad rookie salmon season -- I'll definitely be back on that river often next year.