TECHNIQUE
Reading the Water
The steelhead's return to its natal river is governed first by time of year. We know the major upstream movements start in autumn and peak in late winter or early spring. The fish first gather off the spawning rivers, waiting for water temperatures to drop (in early fall) and rise (in late fall, winter, and early spring). But to initiate major migrations into a river, water levels must rise, especially in small streams. A freshet produced by rainfall, or from snow melt, is the trigger that starts steelhead moving upstream.
Rainbows usually advance in a group or "wave" of fish. This occurs as water levels rise, halts at peak freshet, and starts again on falling water levels. In streams with low siltation, a run may continue uninterrupted. Their first dash often takes them a long way upstream. They stop and rest more frequently as the runs progress. But one stretch of stream may be full of fish, the rest devoid. Locating and staying with these waves of steelhead, as they advance, is the first key to catching them.
While moving upstream, steelhead take the path of least resistance. They tend to follow slacker water at the edge of currents, rather than directly in the heaviest flow. Resting spots include those behind any obstruction that breaks the current and provides some degree of safety. This may be a rock or series of rocks, a depression in the bottom, a logjam, a fallen tree, an undercut bank, or a deep pool. Learning to recognize these holding areas is called "reading a river." Concentrating angling efforts in these areas maximizes your catch. "Reading" is an art that comes with on-stream practice. For example, a slight ripple on a river's surface may indicate a sunken rock -- and a steelhead resting area.
Of course, the most obvious holding area is a pool. A large pool can be divided into three main areas: the head of the run, the middle section, and the tail-out. Steelhead may be found throughout the pool, but the tail-out is generally the most productive. The midsection is appealing when there is some feature such as a sunken log for a resting fish. Along the bank of a bend in a pool is also an excellent holding area.
Understanding water conditions plays an important part in reading the water. Such things as temperature and clarity make a difference. The best time to fish in winter is when river temperatures rise a degree or two around midday or when a brief burst of sunshine on a cloudy winter day may spur steelhead into activity. Early and late in the day are more productive times in spring and fall.
The temperature of water will influence how, where, and even when you seek steelhead. In colder temperatures -- less than 36° F. (2° C) -- steelhead will hold in slower water. They become downright sluggish and won't move far for drifting bait and fight poorly. Above 38° F. (3° C), they will hold in progressively faster water. Steelhead are fully active in water temperatures above 42° F. (5° C), and will be found in a variety of fast and slow water and moving upstream if conditions are suitable.
Equally important to steelhead activity is whether stream temperatures are rising or falling, especially in colder weather. So even if water is frigid [35° F. (1.6° C)] but rising, steelhead will become active.
In water colder than 42° F. (5° C), slow down your approach, taking more time to cover a pool. And, if water is clear, switch to smaller baits and lighter lines. Look for fish in slacker current -- the slow water at a pool's tail-out or midsection, side eddies, and the like. you may even have to use wobbling plugs, fished deep and methodically to catch large cold-water steelhead.
Combine dirty water with cold river temperatures and a steelheader is unlikely to catch many fish. Inactive fish, reluctant to move far for a bait, and limited visibility mean you must put a bait where a steelhead can see it long enough to become interested. It's like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. Yet some degree of color in a river before or after a freshet can be a boon to steelheaders when fish are active. This is when they start moving upstream. Being big-water fish, they feel insecure in rivers and streams unless water is rising and coloring.
How colored a river is can be the key to your approach for steelhead. Fishing by any method will be poor when water visibility is less than four inches. In smaller streams, visibility between eight and 15 inches is prime for fishing. As clarity improves, start scaling down the size of your baits and stay with natural colors -- the yellows, oranges, and whites. Remember, fish will be affected by angler activity in very clear water in small streams but not necessarily in large rivers.
