Three-and-a-half days, 1000+ casts, a handful of hookups, and some truly big fish brought to the net.
That is the epitome of steelhead fishing for many who venture to the Salmon River. For years, I had been avoiding the long drive. However, with a nascent interest in big fish, the siren call was unavoidable.
I felt fortunate to join my friends Rob, Phil, and Griff from Trout Unlimited’s Youth Trout Camp. 2020 gave me an opportunity to reconnect with these great friends and it felt fitting to share this experience with them. Plus, Phil and Griff had some prior experience at the Salmon while Rob and I were complete neophytes.
The first two days of the trip went exactly as expected. I cast many times, changed flies frequently, and of course lost some flies. I felt myself losing steam and my sanity dwindling. However, I learned a lot and after sticking with the program, I was soon rewarded with some nice fish including my first ever Coho.
Here are some lessons I learned.
Fish where the fish are
Okay, this sounds almost too obvious, but I feel like it’s worth mentioning. One of the biggest lessons I learned early on is that steelhead are not like trout. They enter the river in the fall to feed on eggs and flesh and then to spawn. While they will move through a lot of the shallow “B” water, they will usually hold and rest in “A” water. This ranges from the more popular pools to slower, deeper pockets in the middle of long, white water stretches. This is where you’ll find the most fish, and as a result have a better chance at a hookup.
Trust your fly
One of the biggest mistakes that I made early on is that I rotated flies way too often. That is often par for the course when I don’t know a fishery and thus have no confidence in a particular pattern. However, I found that flies that I discounted early often produced for my other friends. An experienced steelheader with whom I spoke at the Upper Fly Zone told me that he fishes a fly for at least 20 minutes before switching. I tried that approach for a while at a spot he told me held many fish before hooking my first steelhead. Presentation beats pattern like a rock beats scissors.
Fishing is best when fish are moving
It’s no happy accident that the best days of steelhead fishing happen on the worst fishing days. A sudden rise in flows from heavy rain or a dam release drives up fresh fish from the lake, which in turn increases the probability that you’ll hook fish.
I was fishing a narrow, deep section of rapids between two major pools during a downpour. Not even five minutes after I arrived, I landed a small brown trout. In a span of 20 minutes, I went two-for-three with two steelhead hooked. I also saw two spin fishermen across from me hook multiple fish.
Add more weight
Again, another obvious but overlooked tidbit. The old adage of what separates a good from a great nymph fisherman applies to steelhead, more so than for trout. At one spot, for example, I knew the fish were there. However, drift after drift produced nothing. I felt the sighter straighten after each tuck cast drove the flies into the water but I felt each drift going by quicker than anticipated. I decided then to add split shot off a tag in my leader. Two casts later, I hooked and landed a beautiful chrome steelie. It’s the little things, they say.
Once I learned these lessons, I found myself having better success on the Salmon over the last day and a half of my trip. Of course, I have more to learn along the way, but that’s part of the fun. All I know is, I couldn’t have asked for a better welcome to the Salmon River and its world class fishing opportunities.
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Congratulations on your successful indoctrination to Steelhead. An amazing fish!
Congratulations man. Job well done. I’ve heard it’s been hot up there recently. Beautiful chromed and nice job on the coho. Thanks for the report. Did you stay at tailwater and how are they handling covid if you don’t mind my asking?
Bob
Thank you Bob! For this trip, one of my buddies booked an air bnb months in advance. I would love to stay at Tailwater one day since they have easier access to the fly zones and apparently a fair bit of private water. As far as COVID preparations, I don’t know how Tailwater is handling it. Calling ahead might be your best bet if you plan on making the trip up.
Thank you Ashu , will do. I’ve stayed there twice. Top notch. Not cheap but fine accomodations and great food. Best beds ever
Thanks Steve! Indoctrination is a more appropriate word than introduction in this case 😉
Nicely done! Exceptional first trip!
Thank you Rowan!
I’d always rather start slow and finish strong than visa versa. Great job figuring things out and finishing on a strong note.
Amen Bill, I agree 100%. That’s what keeps things interesting. Thank you!
Do you mind sharing the fly patterns you had success with? I was up there last week trying ESN for steelhead with no luck. Weather was not favorable but my biggest issue was getting the fly into the zone. Looks like I may need to add some shot.