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…
Side-Drifting with Flatfish
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!
Click here to read more…
Los Angeles River Steelheading!
Rush hour traffic is at a standstill on the graffiti-caked overpass 40 feet above our heads. Impatient commuters lay on their horns and bang on their steering wheels like caged monkeys as we hike towards the river. I step over a used rubber glove and then crouch down at the water’s edge near a soiled diaper. I try not to touch the water for fear of contracting some sort of unspeakable disease. A yellow Prestone jug floats by and almost looks as if it’s glowing in the low evening sun.
“Ain’t she beautiful, bro?” my guide asks with a huge grin.
This is definitely not my idea of paradise, but when my spinner gets crushed on the first cast and line starts ripping off my reel at an alarming rate, I start to reconsider. But let me back up here…Click here to read more…
Situk Steelhead??
Hey JD
We were thinking about a trip to Yakutat AK, to fish the Situk River for spring steelhead. I have heard it can be an absolute zoo. My buddy from Juneau goes up every year to fish the tide flats…He won’t go up river at all, because its a full of people and some very nasty locals. I guess the tidel area gets crazy too . Can you give your input on the place. –Mark D
Mark,
Yea, the Situk is pretty much a mob scene. But, you can rent a driftboat and make the 9-mile float from the bridge down and, even though there might be 20 boats on the river, you can get away from people. Plus, there are enough fish for everybody. Still, it’s not going to be an ‘alone in the wilderness” experience!
Tips on How to Bait up with Roe
Okay, you asked for it…here’s the basic way to bait up with roe for steelhead fishing:
