Just got back from a week-long roadie in Northwestern Oregon, where Big Fred, Riles and I met up with our boy Nick “The Sultan of Steelies” Amato, Editor of Salmon Trout Steelheader Magazine and all-around cool cat. We focused on some of the smaller, less traveled streams on the Oregon coast. Here’s what we found…
The upside to downer steelhead
Are downer steelhead really…well…”downers?” Lots of folks think so because when you catch them they’re usually skinny, colored up and not the greatest of fighters. Some people even get bummed out when they hook a downer (also known as runbacks, kelts or spent fish) but there’s actually a lot to love about ’em.