Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Every Day on May 05, 2017, 02:44:02 PM
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Hey guys!
Over the course of the season, I've been doing a blog series (as well as an instagram photo blog that some of you may have seen) highlighting my steelhead season. Being laid off this winter, I decided to do something a little different to push me out of my comfort zone. I decided to try and tail a winter run steelhead out of 20 different rivers between January and April. It forced me to explore a bunch of unseen water. Rather than chasing fish, I chased down adventure and new places that I'd either heard of or that intrigued me due to location, size, etc. Throughout the season I was often surprised with what I found - be it wolves, elk, steelhead or some "surprise" fish like rivers full of good sized trout!
Since the winter steelhead in the mainland is pretty much finished now, I figured this would be a good time to post as people need something to do between steelhead and the good interior lake/summer fishing. The entire blog isn't quite done, but it will be in a couple weeks. I'll update this regularly with 2 or 3 new blogs at a time until they are all posted. If you want to read ahead, each blog at the end links up to the next one (and the previous one as well at the beginning of each blog post).
Let me know what ya think, and hopefully you enjoy the read!
Part I: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/02/02/quest-for-20-part-i-the-intro/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16508049_10154049949406612_892922776503785668_n.jpg?oh=0bbc12bf0683efa80b1c0f2d8d24046b&oe=5988985C)
Part II: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/02/08/quest-for-20-part-ii-the-beginning/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16708305_10154054409551612_935754041706775983_n.jpg?oh=237b0650cac1601ecb48b3dbf8028fd1&oe=59805B99)
Part III: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/02/15/quest-for-20-part-iii-beating-a-hex/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16684330_10154054413861612_8698025706202013836_n.jpg?oh=c33852cb699a16ec5b5db60b444c0c2c&oe=59821FA9)
Part IV: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/03/02/quest-for-20-part-iv-second-chances/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16665029_10154066001681612_7656418568671036453_o.jpg?oh=7164a3073d6bbcb1c4111453dbcc2241&oe=59802A5F)
Part V: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/03/07/quest-for-20-part-v-low-water-wishes/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16664922_10154068673251612_6932114212371558029_o.jpg?oh=842a224a960a81c978951b431357721e&oe=5976E940)
Part VI: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/03/09/quest-for-20-part-vi-unexplored-water/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/17212023_10154122151041612_3321484064528639921_o.jpg?oh=de53aaf9ba179fd157303d13886f4bfe&oe=59C17062)
Quite possibly the best one of the entire blog series (TONNES of videos and pictures in this one), and my favorite one to look back on...
Part VII: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/03/15/quest-for-20-part-vii-swing-and-a-hit/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16825958_10154075461701612_2754647070189633461_o.jpg?oh=b8f6f1ec8f88dbe5e4cc56464a0eff90&oe=5979CC6E)
And last one for now is this one... a story of persistence on a river that haunted me!
Part VIII: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/03/24/quest-for-20-part-viii-persistence-pays/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16991906_10154103098006612_3715998060417431479_o.jpg?oh=cf861adfa2b5efd0b2f98ba4c49b6eb1&oe=59842B72)
The halfway point of the Quest was marked with an intimate elk experience:
Part VIII: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/quest-for-20-part-ix-the-halfway-point/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17352163_10154138883436612_3646343104489708023_n.jpg?oh=43db01996560a32d5cc6ec0a96e85c07&oe=5974B257)
Next was a slow stretch where the water dropped out considerably and made checking off new rivers fairly tough!
Part X: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/04/13/quest-for-20-part-x-the-mid-quest-lull/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17361531_10154138889906612_7862884994585689114_n.jpg?oh=08c6b0da13b1852e786d3bafc7459f40&oe=59A68B7C)
And then the rains showed up mid season, and the fish came along with it!
Part XI: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/04/20/quest-for-20-part-xi-two-at-a-time/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17799132_10154186763511612_4738016163783521289_n.jpg?oh=d05462a164fda7fe2f48da7922d1febc&oe=59792180)
Kitty makes a good push towards her goals!
Part XII: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/04/27/quest-for-20-part-xii-kittys-push/
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I've literally hated trout beads forever... but I have to give it to em, they are really, really effective certain days
Part XII: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/04/quest-for-20-part-xiii-the-trout-bead-saga/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18222038_10154265387936612_1215930837822630791_n.jpg?oh=c411b992f00ddee10a6a29103ed65853&oe=59B90BC3)
And a little bit of a lull in the "new river" action, but still getting fish in places we had already been!
Part XIV: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/05/quest-for-20-part-xiv-the-drought/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17992283_10154231116976612_729916894098247938_n.jpg?oh=b81154fa4f832ed87d6b0517840f1620&oe=59AF8BEF)
Part XV: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/11/quest-for-20-part-xv-the-rains/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18057874_10154231118926612_8059903680060553114_n.jpg?oh=c619a58b5650bb55f65599eb9aaba612&oe=59A23D6B)
Part XVI: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/quest-for-20-part-xv-the-late-runs/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18275067_10154268294901612_5992121181115871145_n.jpg?oh=e960850330c59f5974accdd94c1c09b2&oe=59E3E3EE)
Part XVII: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/24/quest-for-20-part-xvii-a-challenging-day/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18519572_10154305476181612_6106513812697540448_n.jpg?oh=3e649eeb868ff1f61a8720f6732d0014&oe=59A16078)
Part XVIII: A suitable Finish https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/27/quest-for-20-part-xviii-a-suitable-finish/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18557520_10154305542611612_4800518131136109778_n.jpg?oh=26865753788a7b633600297db843a738&oe=59E40BEE)
Part XIX: Kitty's Completion https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/30/quest-for-20-part-xix-kittys-completion/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18582552_10154305587296612_4203588020168233910_n.jpg?oh=a6fa279fdaebe8b1b3d2ddaab5344ae9&oe=59AD588C)
Cheers,
Dan
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WOW!! an incredible read and as usual, absolutely awesome photography :) I once suggested you go on for your Doctorate in Fisheries science, but watching this, maybe you have found your true calling. Very well done Dan!
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Well done, I think you should be writing for a fishing magazine like BC Outdoors. You have the writers touch and take excellent pictures. As well your knowledge of fish and how to fish is well known in fishing circles. Nothing better in finding a profession that is connected to what you love and know so well.
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Fantastic! thanks, Dan
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WOW!! an incredible read and as usual, absolutely awesome photography :) I once suggested you go on for your Doctorate in Fisheries science, but watching this, maybe you have found your true calling. Very well done Dan!
Thanks Dave! Once you get to Part 5-7 it gets going really good. Part 7 is my favourite, lots of good video footage and pictures in that one! As said before, I'll post them in groups of two or three blogs every few days for when people have had a chance to read the other ones if they want to.
I might go back and do the school thing again one day though too, I have a decent idea for a long term study that I don't think has been done yet ;)
Well done, I think you should be writing for a fishing magazine like BC Outdoors. You have the writers touch and take excellent pictures. As well your knowledge of fish and how to fish is well known in fishing circles. Nothing better in finding a profession that is connected to what you love and know so well.
That would be something cool for sure! I'm not really sure how to go about doing something like that though. I also enjoy just doing it as a side thing - no pressure, no deadlines, just something I can look back on! Thanks for the kind words though. I figured you'd enjoy these, as I often enjoyed reading your journal growing up on this site. To have you enjoy/comment on these is something special in its own way :)
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...... an incredible read and as usual, absolutely awesome photography.......
X 2, thanks Dan. You and a few others are what makes this a great site to visit.
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very nice work man. beautiful pics.
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Great read!!
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* Appreciate the Tip: "Copper" in low/clear waters.
I love using spoons... and this will be forever embedded in my mind.
I'm glad you were able to get some useful information out of the blog. I've tried my best to make them entertaining, but also informational (without, of course, naming rivers/locations).
My goal is to have people learn something - and to also show people that these places exist. That's something I often take abuse over, but I'm a strong believer that unless people know these places are still in existence, no one will care about them or try to protect them. I hope that people get the adventure bug and try to find these places too. I find that when you've worked hard to find something, you're much more protective over it. Most of the time I've seen places "ruined" is due to someone showing a "buddy," who doesn't really understand how unique and special the place may be. Change that scenario to having the person drive 500+km every weekend, and hike up to 25 km a day just to get skunked some days - in order to find a special river - rather than being shown, and I really do believe that same person will be much more careful who they share with. After all that hard work, I also honestly believe people are much more protective of those fish regarding bait usage, killing/poaching, etc.
Cheers,
Dan
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And again, thanks for the kind words everyone. I'm glad people are able to get some enjoyment out of these.
I'm also open to any suggestions as far as educational aspects, etc, so please feel free to chime in or ask questions if you have any!
Hopefully you all stay tuned and continue reading up to the end of May. Stay tuned for the next few!!
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Really enjoyed reading your blog and viewing those great photos and videos. You asked for suggestions/questions, so here goes:
1. I don't have much experience as a small stream steelheader. I was surprised to read that you catch fish you can see. Do you typically retreat "out of sight" before fishing to visible fish, or just stand there and cast? I would have thought that the fish would shy away or get lockjaw if they can see you.
2. From your descriptions, you are climbing in and out of some hairy canyons. I do have some experience on rock walls, and studded felt boots aren't ideal footwear. What do you recommend? Any other climbing safety tips? (e.g. tying temporary ropes to help you get down/up, rod transport tips to keep both hands free, glove choices?)
3. Line/leader setups for those clear rivers, FC vs. mono. I'm guessing 8-10lb Ultragreen would be the standard, but curious as to what you're using.
4. Given that some of your target rivers are small and have modest runs, do you voluntarily limit your catch and leave'em biting some days?
Thanks in advance!
PS Wholly agree with the philosophy of "lots of how" and "not a lot of where" in these reports. Also concur that rivers need friends, or in this case, VI needs (steelhead) friends as a voice to protect the resource. There are plenty of posters on other forums who would lead a casual reader (like me) to conclude that there are only three rivers left with any fish, and those are mostly hatcheries. So very encouraging to read that there are at least 30 smaller systems that have a few fish.
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1. I don't have much experience as a small stream steelheader. I was surprised to read that you catch fish you can see. Do you typically retreat "out of sight" before fishing to visible fish, or just stand there and cast? I would have thought that the fish would shy away or get lockjaw if they can see you.
It really depends on the day and the situation. A lot of the times we see steelhead, it's simply because I know where to look within a run before we even get close to it. Often times the steelhead are also in large water (more than 50-60 feet away) and aren't super spooky.
Really though, it changes river to river and even day to day on each river. Some days after a cast you can't even let your braid line hit the water after a cast - you need to do a high stick reel in method. Other days you have to cast way ahead of them and wait for them to move around and then reel your spoon in off bottom. Some days you most definitely need to hide. Other days they are suicidal and really don't care about you or what gear you throw.
2. From your descriptions, you are climbing in and out of some hairy canyons. I do have some experience on rock walls, and studded felt boots aren't ideal footwear. What do you recommend? Any other climbing safety tips? (e.g. tying temporary ropes to help you get down/up, rod transport tips to keep both hands free, glove choices?)
In all honesty, we do a lot of sketchy climbs and the like that we probably shouldn't do, and a lot of these places will be inaccessible in the future when we aren't "young" anymore. I've also learnt to control my balance point really well, so I tend to do some things that other people wouldn't dare follow (steep slopes, etc). Figuring out your balance point can really help you "stick" to things. Confidence is also key. I rarely do anything that I look at and have a bad initial feeling about.
We just use our felt bottom boots, and yes, it has gotten us into trouble a few times both this year (especially with the snow) and in the past. The thing we do use is A LOT of rope. One of my close fishing buddies is a commercial fisherman, so we get all the ground line that we want. We tie big chunks in a bunch of places and do an overhand loop knot every 3 or so feet (or however often it's needed) as good holds. IMO a bunch of rope with good holds and taking your time is really all you need.
3. Line/leader setups for those clear rivers, FC vs. mono. I'm guessing 8-10lb Ultragreen would be the standard, but curious as to what you're using.
I always use flourocarbon. Seaguar - either red label (my preferred) or STS (more expensive so it's my second option). We run 10 pound almost exclusively for drift fishing and fly fishing. Spoon tossing I'll often go to 15 pound flouro as well, as we have had numerous fish break us off on hits with 10 pound. On smaller rivers I'll stay with 10 pound on the spoon rods too though. At times, in very low clear conditions we will go to 6 pound flouro too.
4. Given that some of your target rivers are small and have modest runs, do you voluntarily limit your catch and leave'em biting some days?
Again, it totally depends on the day. If fish are absolutely stacked in a run, we will often leave em alone after the first few aggressive ones bite and go search out more aggressive fish/new water. I'm more about seeing lots of water than flogging a spot and catching every fish in it.
I would say though, overall, that no - we don't really quit after a certain number on any given day. Most of our high number days happen on larger systems with fairly large runs. I limit my catch more so by only going to particular rivers once or a few times in a season. We didn't return to any river this year more than 3 times throughout the full winter season. One of the reasons for the quest actually was to have more options for the future so that I can spread out my angling efforts on a variety of systems to limit my impact (and also to have options when I can't fish as much in the future).
PS Wholly agree with the philosophy of "lots of how" and "not a lot of where" in these reports. Also concur that rivers need friends, or in this case, VI needs (steelhead) friends as a voice to protect the resource. There are plenty of posters on other forums who would lead a casual reader (like me) to conclude that there are only three rivers left with any fish, and those are mostly hatcheries. So very encouraging to read that there are at least 30 smaller systems that have a few fish.
Exactly. A lot of people really don't want others to know that there are smaller gems out there still, in fear that people might look and actually find them. My reasoning though, as stated above, is that hopefully when people find these rivers on their own, they will protect them and cherish them. Simply putting up a background picture will in no way draw a person to a particular river unless they have been there before. One of the reasons I post blog posts, pictures, etc well after the fact without a date is to also throw people off on run timing. Run timing is a huge part of success on 90% of the island rivers we go to. That way, if I've had a good day as well, it will stop people from going there based on a report and slogging on the same fish over and over.
And yes, there are way more than 3 rivers with fish in them still. Over the past 6 years actually, I've landed steelhead out of over 40 different VI rivers. 8 of those rivers were newly added this winter season, so we are constantly finding new ones. There are another 15 or 20 that I haven't even made it to yet that I know for a fact have fish as well, and I'm sure I'll hear of more/find more accidentally.
It's all part of the fun to look at maps, figure out access points and then hike around for the day. Sometimes you have your arse handed to you (either by the river itself as far as access is concerned, or by the fish). Other days you're met with quite literally paradise and abundant fish, whether they be trout, salmon or steelhead.
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Thanks for the detailed, fast and thoughtful reply. Lots to chew on there.
Tight lines to Kitty and you.
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Well done, I think you should be writing for a fishing magazine like BC Outdoors. You have the writers touch and take excellent pictures. As well your knowledge of fish and how to fish is well known in fishing circles. Nothing better in finding a profession that is connected to what you love and know so well.
I absolutely agree with Chris, you have a gift Dan,..........it's like being there without the leg work :), you tell us all a wonderful adventure without disclosing locations unlike a few other contributors/writers we know. Well Done
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The next set of blogs. Won't be able to post for another week, as I'm heading out on a work trip, so I included a few extras (5 in total). Enjoy!
Part IV: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/03/02/quest-for-20-part-iv-second-chances/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16665029_10154066001681612_7656418568671036453_o.jpg?oh=7164a3073d6bbcb1c4111453dbcc2241&oe=59802A5F)
Part V: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/03/07/quest-for-20-part-v-low-water-wishes/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16664922_10154068673251612_6932114212371558029_o.jpg?oh=842a224a960a81c978951b431357721e&oe=5976E940)
Part VI: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/03/09/quest-for-20-part-vi-unexplored-water/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/17212023_10154122151041612_3321484064528639921_o.jpg?oh=de53aaf9ba179fd157303d13886f4bfe&oe=59C17062)
Quite possibly the best one of the entire blog series (TONNES of videos and pictures in this one), and my favorite one to look back on...
Part VII: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/03/15/quest-for-20-part-vii-swing-and-a-hit/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16825958_10154075461701612_2754647070189633461_o.jpg?oh=b8f6f1ec8f88dbe5e4cc56464a0eff90&oe=5979CC6E)
And last one for now is this one... a story of persistence on a river that haunted me!
Part VIII: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/03/24/quest-for-20-part-viii-persistence-pays/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16991906_10154103098006612_3715998060417431479_o.jpg?oh=cf861adfa2b5efd0b2f98ba4c49b6eb1&oe=59842B72)
Cheers,
Dan
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Since you'll be away for a week, can you leave your spinner box on the front porch? 8)
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I'll throw up some new blogs for you some reading before you all embark on what looks to be a beautiful long weekend. Should be the start of some summer runs on some island flows... although it looks like I'll be focusing on lakes for this weekend.
The halfway point of the Quest was marked with an intimate elk experience:
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17352163_10154138883436612_3646343104489708023_n.jpg?oh=43db01996560a32d5cc6ec0a96e85c07&oe=5974B257)
https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/quest-for-20-part-ix-the-halfway-point/
Next was a slow stretch where the water dropped out considerably and made checking off new rivers fairly tough!
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17361531_10154138889906612_7862884994585689114_n.jpg?oh=08c6b0da13b1852e786d3bafc7459f40&oe=59A68B7C)
https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/04/13/quest-for-20-part-x-the-mid-quest-lull/
And then the rains showed up mid season, and the fish came along with it!
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17799132_10154186763511612_4738016163783521289_n.jpg?oh=d05462a164fda7fe2f48da7922d1febc&oe=59792180)
https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/04/20/quest-for-20-part-xi-two-at-a-time/
Cheers, enjoy the reading material!
Dan
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Such a great series of posts, Dan. That day with your 2 buddies and non-stop hits sounded amazing! What a cool experience.
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A Kitty ready to pounce on her prey ;D:
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17799132_10154186763511612_4738016163783521289_n.jpg?oh=d05462a164fda7fe2f48da7922d1febc&oe=59792180)
I know, I know ... pretty cheezy but I couldn't resist.
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A Kitty ready to pounce on her prey ;D:
I know, I know ... pretty cheezy but I couldn't resist.
At the time I thought it may be the case. She kept looking for ways down the 50 foot cliff ;D
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Looking over some of the chapters of your blog, the concept, the excellent photos & the narrative made me think of a coffee table book that might cost $100 or so...and here we get it for free with the added bonus of videos! Great stuff. Makes me wish I was younger. Thanks for all the effort and for sharing.
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At the time I thought it may be the case. She kept looking for ways down the 50 foot cliff ;D
From what we've learned about Kitty over the last few year is that she probably wouldn't have been opposed to being lowered with a safety harness and winch, suspended above the water and just below the brush enough to make a clean cast.
I hope I didn't just put a crazy thought in her head.
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That shot of kitty looking down at the pair is awesome. Good stuff wish I had the time to get away like I used to before kids. Enjoy it.
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The Bull Elk is a special shot as well. To get nose to nose is something that most people never manage to do.
Life is short, but you guys got if figured out. Beautiful.
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Looking over some of the chapters of your blog, the concept, the excellent photos & the narrative made me think of a coffee table book that might cost $100 or so...and here we get it for free with the added bonus of videos! Great stuff. Makes me wish I was younger. Thanks for all the effort and for sharing.
Thanks for that Ralph! Glad to hear you are enjoying the reads. It's great to hear that it is worthy of a coffee table book. I do hope to continue with writing blogs if possible once the Quest for 20 is over. I'm half contemplating doing one for coho, and possibly summer steelhead as well.
Anyway, more blogs to start off the short work week.
Kitty makes a good push towards her goals!
Part XII: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/04/27/quest-for-20-part-xii-kittys-push/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17799334_10154186764706612_2529398111754926443_n.jpg?oh=2acd3f92c0f015fb3b6d12325b090b86&oe=59B2FF67)
I've literally hated trout beads forever... but I have to give it to em, they are really, really effective certain days
Part XII: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/04/quest-for-20-part-xiii-the-trout-bead-saga/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18222038_10154265387936612_1215930837822630791_n.jpg?oh=c411b992f00ddee10a6a29103ed65853&oe=59B90BC3)
And a little bit of a lull in the "new river" action, but still getting fish in places we had already been!
Part XIV: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/05/quest-for-20-part-xiv-the-drought/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17992283_10154231116976612_729916894098247938_n.jpg?oh=b81154fa4f832ed87d6b0517840f1620&oe=59AF8BEF)
Enjoy!
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Another set of three!
Part XV: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/11/quest-for-20-part-xv-the-rains/
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Part XVI: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/quest-for-20-part-xv-the-late-runs/
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Part XVII: https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/24/quest-for-20-part-xvii-a-challenging-day/
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Only a few more left to go after this! Enjoy!
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Dan. I started spoon fishing 4 or 5 years ago because of some of your posts and the success you were having with it. Swinging spoons I'm fine with but could you explain your jigging technique and the type of water you would use that technique in. Do you jig your spoon back at the end of your swing ? Also seeing as you use a spinning reel do you let line out or let your spoon flutter down stream if the current is too strong to keep your spoon near the the bottom?
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Dan. I started spoon fishing 4 or 5 years ago because of some of your posts and the success you were having with it. Swinging spoons I'm fine with but could you explain your jigging technique and the type of water you would use that technique in. Do you jig your spoon back at the end of your swing ? Also seeing as you use a spinning reel do you let line out or let your spoon flutter down stream if the current is too strong to keep your spoon near the the bottom?
Jigging can be used in a variety of situations.
I typically use it in pockets or seams by casting upriver and then jigging as it comes back towards you (mostly just pop it along bottom, I give a small jig up every time I feel it touch to prevent snagging).
Its also useful in deep, slow pools. Cast way up to give it time to sink and then jig it along down deep.
Sometimes, I'll even jig in the same runs that I'd normally swing in. Imparting a different action can sometimes provide a hit. I often observe the fish too. If they are showing interest but not moving far, casting up in front of them and jigging it as it comes down their "line" will often pick them up.
As for letting line out, I never do. I just adjust how far up I cast or how heavy of spoons I'm using. The same is true for swinging.
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The last two blogs before the recap of the season goes up!
Check out how both Kitty and I achieved our goals of the season! Mine ended in the most perfect way!
Part XVIII: A suitable Finish https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/27/quest-for-20-part-xviii-a-suitable-finish/
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Part XIX: Kitty's Completion https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2017/05/30/quest-for-20-part-xix-kittys-completion/
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Thanks for following along!
The recap of the entire season, and the video to go along with it will be posted up on Friday in a separate thread!
Cheers,
Dan
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I'm curious as to the setup you guys use for the 4"-6" pink worms. How big a float do you use? Are you using graduate round shot like the pinners, or in-line pencil lead? How about hook placement in the worm?
I don't use the worm very much, but it sure is controversial up on the Skeena & tribs. So my final question might seem peculiar, but I'm wondering if you experience any deeply hooked (rakers/gills/gullet) fish on the pink worm? In general, where are you hooking the fish (I know, I know, "in the mouth" . . . .)
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Rod has a great video on how to rig the worm here: https://youtu.be/X9VbASmHxyA
As for gear, I would use pencil lead and I think most in this forum do as well. The nice thing with it is that you then don't really have to worry about your float size, just use the smallest one you can get away with for the size/current of the river your fishing and balance it with the pencil lead.
I don't know what the official word is but, from my anecdotal experiences, pink worms seem to end up with fewer foul thank lures like jigs or spoons. I don't think you have to worry.
Loving the blog! Thanks for the time and effort you (clearly) put into it.
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I love this blog. Since you have been doing this for a few seasons now, and you get many new rivers each season, how many different systems have you caught a steelhead in? Do you keep track by winter/summer? I'm still at '1', but this blog is really inspiring.
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I'm curious as to the setup you guys use for the 4"-6" pink worms. How big a float do you use? Are you using graduate round shot like the pinners, or in-line pencil lead? How about hook placement in the worm?
I don't use the worm very much, but it sure is controversial up on the Skeena & tribs. So my final question might seem peculiar, but I'm wondering if you experience any deeply hooked (rakers/gills/gullet) fish on the pink worm? In general, where are you hooking the fish (I know, I know, "in the mouth" . . . .)
My set up is much the same as any other float set up. I typically use a 25 gram dne float and then 3 of the largest sized split shot (I believe they are size 2). The fish will almost always move to kill the worms, so I typically fish them well off bottom.
I've also had very good luck bottom bouncing them when fish are spooky. I know, spooky and pink worms wouldn't seem to mix with most people, and it never used to with me either. That being said, I've now found that floats seem to actually be the culprit that spooks weary fish. If fish are acting funny, I'll take off the float and bottom bounce a single split shot (whichever size is best suited to that current), and a 2-3 foot flouro leader. It's amazing how many fish will move and grab the worm after you've gotten rid of the float. The method also works well with bait and trout beads.
As for hookups, I think I can only remember maybe 1 or 2 that have ever taken it deep. Neither were bleeders, but I cut my line anyway rather than trying to dig around. I find most worm hook ups are in the side of the mouth, the bottom of the lower jaw, right in the tip of the nose, or sometimes on the top of the head.
Lots of people claim the worms miss a lot of fish on the hit. If you're finding that you are missing good float downs, my advice is to slow up your hook set drastically. The fish rarely let the worm go and will chew it. I normally count to 2 or 3, and then reel down until I feel good weight before setting the hook with worms. It takes a while to get used to hesitating on the hook set, but it seems to work well with pink worms, especially 6 inches.
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I love this blog. Since you have been doing this for a few seasons now, and you get many new rivers each season, how many different systems have you caught a steelhead in? Do you keep track by winter/summer? I'm still at '1', but this blog is really inspiring.
One of these days I'll get a hard number. I know that it's over 40 and nearing 50 where I've landed a steelhead. I haven't separated it between summers and winters - just steelhead in general. I'll get back to you on that one :D
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Great info on the worm rigging and hooking experience. As I wrote, I don't fish Jake the Snake very much but over the last 15 years I've never hooked a fish deep on a worm.
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A little teaser for the full video coming out soon that will highlight our entire season. I will post it up in a new thread on Friday (both a video and a year end blog that pictures every river/highlights of our season).
Again, thanks for following along.
Video Teaser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sAoMzH_ZvA