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 1 
 on: March 28, 2024, 04:29:53 PM 
Started by Rodney - Last post by Rodney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qzmEexb5M8

 2 
 on: March 28, 2024, 06:26:50 AM 
Started by DragonSpeed - Last post by DragonSpeed
Went down to Ocean Shores to get away from it all for a weekend.

Shot a bit of drone video while we were there.

https://youtu.be/tNVBCHqdhwc?si=g7ygBMR4Uprlm0FE


 3 
 on: March 27, 2024, 05:43:10 PM 
Started by canucksfan233 - Last post by leapin' tyee
I feel this frustration. I was also on my third year of pounding the trails before I caught my first one. What really helped me was taking the steelheading class at pacific angler with Alex. Literally the first time out fishing after the class I got my first one. My presentations didn't really change but how I fished them and where did. Learning to read the water better was the biggest takeaway for me. I was fishing for them the same as I fished for salmon and it's worth remembering that they are trout. There's a reason the "top rods" are pretty consistent on the river every year. They know the most likely spots in a run that they will be, can pick through them quickly, and move on efficiently. I ended up really loving how much river you tend to cover chasing steelhead vs trying to find a gap on a busy run in salmon season.


Too bad  Alex left Pacific Angler.  He is now working somewhere else.

 4 
 on: March 27, 2024, 12:48:49 PM 
Started by canucksfan233 - Last post by fisherforever
I've saved this article for years. Reading Water Tutorial:
There are 3 things you got to ask yourself before you decide if the section of river you are fishing is "Steelhead water" and will you have a chance of catching these magnificent fish. 
1.) Adequate depth to protect the fish from predators, boaters, and anglers. Rarely will you find a fish in water less than 2 1/2 feet, try focusing on water that is in the 3-15 foot range.
2.) Current Velocity, the best speed would is anywhere from a slow walking pace, to a slow jogging speed. Remember Steelhead want to get from point A to point B using the least amount of energy required. They don't want to be battling rapids, but they like a little water disturbance. 
3.) River bottom structure, Steelhead DO NOT like sand..Sand irritates a Steelhead's gills. They will rarely hold in sandy bottoms. Instead look for structure that consists of small to medium sized boulders. These could be the size of a baseball, basketball, or bigger. 

Pocket water: Pocket water is associated with swift water and structure.  In a boulder-strewn rapid, there are areas of slower/slack water that may be found in front of, behind, or beside large rocks. Float fishing is a very effective technique for fishing boulder strewn water, and pocket water. Spoon fishing is also a very effective technique, especially during the winter months when Steelhead are lethargic.
Side Channel: A well defined narrow band of deep water that is surrounded/bounded by shallower water. These are often by the rivers edge and are darker than the rest of the water surrounding it. Think of these as a fish highway, migrating fish will move up this stretch of water when they can find depth/structure to make them feel secure.
Tailouts: The smooth/slower water upstream from a rapid/faster flowing section of water is a tailout. Tailouts are usually anywhere from 1-5 feet deep, and 20 to 100+ feet long. Tailouts have flat unriffled surfaces, and is the shallowest holding water. Fish are more exposed in a tailout and are on the alert more than a fish in a pool or back eddy.

Pools: These are anywhere from 5-20 feet deep, and at times are a good bet to find Steelhead. I start at the top section of the pool, and work my way downstream covering this water thoroughly. Work through the water column covering all aspects of it. However: Just like in Bill Herzogs book he stated that fish in deep pools are suspended, so your offering doesn't necessarily have to be near the bottom. Unfortunatly I can't get the pics to post with this article.

 5 
 on: March 27, 2024, 11:58:14 AM 
Started by canucksfan233 - Last post by essyoo
I feel this frustration. I was also on my third year of pounding the trails before I caught my first one. What really helped me was taking the steelheading class at pacific angler with Alex. Literally the first time out fishing after the class I got my first one. My presentations didn't really change but how I fished them and where did. Learning to read the water better was the biggest takeaway for me. I was fishing for them the same as I fished for salmon and it's worth remembering that they are trout. There's a reason the "top rods" are pretty consistent on the river every year. They know the most likely spots in a run that they will be, can pick through them quickly, and move on efficiently. I ended up really loving how much river you tend to cover chasing steelhead vs trying to find a gap on a busy run in salmon season.

 6 
 on: March 26, 2024, 10:41:25 PM 
Started by canucksfan233 - Last post by hammer
I would suggest keeping a journal. Make note of where you see fish caught….not just the general spot but exactly where they are caught. I often hike and climb to fish a spot the size of a bathtub. Sooner or later,your  float will go down. I have a “milk run” for low, medium, and high water. The water level data is very important. If I am fishing a system that does not have a gauge, I estimate based on a nearby system with similar attributes. The fluctuation really changes depending on whether the system is mediated by having a lake.
Key points
Spots where you have seen fish hooked….make note of water height
My leader is usually under24” unless fishing slow deep pools
I use 3 things 90% of the time..bait sack, pink worm (Beau Mac pearly one), and a Spin and Glo for old times
When I feel motivated I pump bugs but it’s not necessary. Steelhead are not super picky….its more about putting your gear in front of fish wants to bite.
Set float to weight as 75% of depth…. Eg. in 8 feet deep, I go 6 feet float to lead




 7 
 on: March 26, 2024, 10:24:38 PM 
Started by Rodney - Last post by Rodney
Just over one week until the sale. I was updated a few days ago that around 15 tables have been booked. If you want to get a table, be sure to do it soon.

 8 
 on: March 26, 2024, 07:18:09 PM 
Started by canucksfan233 - Last post by Darko
My advice is observed what the steelheaders are using and catching in which part of waters. I learned this about 44 years ago when I first start out fishing the Vedder river by putting my rod down and watch the local old timers casting and catching steelies.


Silex-user

what you don't know is that they have caught on and now will only fish the sweet spot when nobody is around  ;)

 9 
 on: March 26, 2024, 04:31:08 PM 
Started by canucksfan233 - Last post by Silex-user
My advice is observed what the steelheaders are using and catching in which part of waters. I learned this about 44 years ago when I first start out fishing the Vedder river by putting my rod down and watch the local old timers casting and catching steelies.


Silex-user

 10 
 on: March 26, 2024, 08:53:31 AM 
Started by Colersmom - Last post by RalphH
Yes they should work.

Should mention that there is at least one well known local guy who swears by slim olive leeches in a size 10 or 12.

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