Northwest Fishing Reports

What's your go to this time of year? Do like Beads, Yarnies, jigs, Pink worm, Eggs, Coon Shrimp, Sand Shrimp, Small Prawn or Salad Shrimp etc?

I bet that you could find dedicated anglers that would tell you any one of those things would be their "go-to" right now, but I am personally fond of egg/corky combinations and pink worms. Don't forget hardware though as well (spoons/spinners). When I am out after winter steelhead I like to employ numerous techniques in water that I know often holds fish. I generally try to throw something small/natural/unobtrusive first, and then move on to bigger and flashier things. I.E. consider starting with a bead, or corky/eggs, or small jigs, all in more subdued/pale/darker colors. Then move up to things like spinners/spoons/pink worms.

Like aj said not sure you are gonna get a direct answer as they all work great anytime of year. Steelhead hit just about anything that is presented right whether it be hardware, bait or jigs. The thing is if they are in a biting mood more then what works best. River flows ,water clarity and angler pressure usually determines what can be presented properly at any given moment. If you want my opinion I prefer floating jigs with a bead dropper no bait but that could change upon my arrival to my location. I usually fish bait in murky water or as a backup if jigs aren't doing the trick

Nightcrawlers, uncured roe, spoons, flies and twitching jigs have all caught/hooked steel for me in the past. I can't say any are best, but they work. Most came on spoons for me.

Try Praying!!! Corkies and yarn always work. Eggs are also good all the time.

dj2loud wrote:

Find a river that's closed to all fishing and fish the hell out of it....

Throw in the whole tackle box if you have to ........ Screw this state.........

Try Dupont Spinners. Youre too funny DJ.

That's horrible info for someone just starting out. Really anyone for that matter.

I find that spinners are an easy tactic to use for beginners. Not to mention extremely effective. Throw your spinner out at 2 O'clock and let it sink for a couple seconds. Then start a very slow retrieve. Remember keeping your spinner low n slow is best. Try sizes 4 and 5 with a pink body although chartreuse is very overlooked.

im actually to the point where i don't give a rats ass about the WDFW..... I went fishing on the nooksack monday for about 4 hours.... caught a few here and there, two steel that i never landed... very surprised to see just how well fish hold on to a hookless hook.......

The key to steelheading is patience. If you're not landing fish then there are a few things to check. Sharpen your hooks. Set the hooks before reeling in. Set your drag properly. Did I mention Paitience????