Characteristics of Steelhead: Summer vs. Winter

[mic4fish]

This afternoon my rafting partner and I were rafting a small SW Washington stream. We were in the process of fishing a classic steelhead drift, it had your basic upper-end slot that is moving with pretty good velocity and then it slows down into a middle section and then you have your classic tail-out that we all love. I proposed this question to him: Where do you think Summer-run lay vs. Winter run? It's been my experience that summer run lay in the upper end of the holes. As to why, there are alot of variables. Such as water temperature, water flows, etc. As far as winter steelhead, it's been my experience that they are more inclined to lay in the tail-outs. My partner also agreed. As it turned out, the fish we hooked on this particular day were in the tail-outs. So I propose a question to you all: What has been your experience. Please elaborate if you have noticed a definate difference between winter and summer steelhead patterns.

"Be a star~pick up your sandshrimp containers"
Mike

[Deleted User]

I think it is more a function of different water conditions rather than inate genetic differences for where each tend to occupy holding water more often. Your reference to the summers commonly lying in the upper end riffles is generally because the water is warmer and a bit less oxygenated, as well as often lower and clearer. These factors make the broken and bubbly riffles at the heads of holes a good place for summers. Conversely, winter runs usually ascend stronger, colder, and more colored water in general and thus more commonly lye in tailouts to rest after swimming up thru rapids, and also along the seams and behind boulders of the main current line down thru the main section of the hole. ... With that said, don't overlook fishing all these steelie holding areas for both runs. - RT