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From the category archives:
Let’s face it, there are times when steelhead just go off the bite. Maybe they’re getting pounded by boats or are reacting to a something like a sudden change in barometric pressure. Whatever the reason for the lull, you can sometimes turn stale fish back on by showing them a little something different.
One of our favorite old tricks under these circumstances is side-drifting with F7 Flatfish. I know, sounds kinda crazy, but it works!
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Okay, so if you’ve ever used a Sabiki rig to catch baitfish, you know A) Sabikis are deadly and B) It’s almost impossible to get one out of the package without it turning into a useless, tangled bird’s nest. So, I got a good chuckle the other day as I was struggling to remove a Sabiki rig from it’s packaging…and noticed this little informative tidbit printed on the back side…
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JD,
I’m 13 years old and love to fish for salmon and steelhead. I do most of my fishing on the upper Klamath. The late winter steelhead can be very picky and I was wondering if you’ve ever used pink plastic worms up here?
Thanks, Eric
Hey E,
Many 13 years old and catching salmon and steelhead…sweet! At your age, most of us hadn’t yet graduated from bluegill! Anyway, yes pink worms can be very good for late season steelies. I’m not sure how you like to fish, but I have done well drifting them with a Slinky. Perhaps even better for the upper Klamath, which as you know, can be pretty snaggy, try fishing them under a float. If you can get somebody to take you out in the drift boat, backtrolling them behind divers is also deadly. Good luck! Here’s a video that may help get you started: RIGGING PINK WORMS FOR STEELHEAD
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J.D.
I enjoy fishing Lake Almanor and reading the fish reports in W.O.N. Usually the articles say where they are catching fish. Example: the A-frame, El Dorado Inn, rec 1, rec 2, the springs. None of the maps I have of the lake show where these spots are. Do you know of a map that I can buy that will show where these spots are located on the lake? I would appreciate any help you can give me.
Larry P.
I’m not sure of a specific map, but the Lake Almanor Fishing Association can hook you up with all that info.
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“Fear No Rock” is Clackacraft’s motto. I recently took a 16SSG (Salmon & Steelhead Guide Model) on a grueling three week test ride during salmon season in a boat-eating stretch of river to see if I would end up a believer…or would I come home with an extreme case of Rockophobia?
• Centerline Length: 16 feet+
• Bottom Width: 57 inches
• Beam: 83 inches
• Side Height: 23 inches
• Max Capacity: 4 Adults
• Weight: Approx 500 lbs.
• GulfStream® bottom
• Tunnel Hull Technology
• Rolled gunwale edge
• Adjustable front bench passenger seat
• Two Swivel Fold Down Padded Seats
• Molded-In rod storage
• Three sets of raised oarlock positions
• Oarsman’s adjustable rowing bench seat with comfortable tractor seat
• Storage under both benches
• Level floors front and Rear
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In autumn, when the weather and water temperatures start cooling, big trout begin to shake off their summer lethargy and become active. The dropping water temperatures get the fish salivating like Pavlov’s dogs and they move in close to shore to feast before the onset of winter.
That’s exactly what makes the upcoming several weeks the most productive time of year to hook a monster.
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Okay, so Shane Davies of River Run Guide Service in Texas (214-418-9786; s.davies@sbcglobal.net) has stones the size of Cowboys Stadium. Need some proof? Check out his tale from a recent kayak trip on the Brazos River. In his own words:
“In 20 years of fishing the Middle/Upper Brazos River, I can honestly say that I have never encountered a venomous snake (pit viper) within the riverbed,” he says. “However, as I tell my clients, go outside the riverbed and that can be a very different story. Obviously, just because I have never come across a venomous snake in the river, does not in any way mean they are not there. In fact, I always remain vigilant and on the lookout knowing that I’m simply overdue for my first encounter. The way I look at it, Texas , venomous snakes and the outdoors will always go hand in hand. So, I wasn’t too surprised when I observed a juvenile rattlesnake headed accross the river while I was in my kayak flipping a jig for bass.”
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JD,
My boyfriend is driving me crazy about getting info for curing his salmon eggs. They have been sitting in the fridge for a week or so. He has used borax in the past, but was looking for something a lil different. He doesn’t go “online” so it is left up to me. I get 25,000 responses when you put it through Google. Are the eggs still good? any suggestions for curing them? Thanks all your advise is appreciated.
–Mary in Akron, NY
Hi Mary,
Well, the eggs that are sitting in the fridge for a week are starting to get towards the end of their rope. Not to say they won’t fish, but I never go more than a day or two before tossing them out. Curing the roe immediately is the key!
As far as cures go, I’m surprised you only got 25,000 results from Google! There are about as many cures out there as salmon and steelhead anglers. How your boyfriend cures the eggs depends largely on what he’ll be fishing for. Not to confuse you even more, but salmon generally prefer a saltier egg (upstream, of course, but lower in the system sweet is better…ah, never mind!) while steelies seem to like it a little sweeter egg. The most basic cure that’s been working for eons is the ol’ Borax method.
The easiest way: cut the eggs into bait-sized chunks and them shake them — a few at a time — in a bag of Borax until the eggs are completely coated. This is a good steelhead and trout cure and will sometimes take salmon as well. If salmon are his main target, probably the best way to go as a neophyte egg curer is to buy a commercial cure like Last Supper or Wizard from Pro Cure or Pautzke’s Fire Cure.
If he wants to do his own, check out the book on Egg Cures by Scott Haugen by Amato Books.
Good luck! And make sure your boyfriend knows that he’s a lucky man to have a woman that let’s him keep the eggs in the fridge!
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