Snapset
12-22-2001, 06:16 PM
Some of you got to learn something. In fact I shouldn't even post this here, because it is one of my favorite fishing secrets.
Almost every river with a decent run of steelhead has at least one tributary that will clear enough to fish within 4 hours of almost any rain.
As an example, a river I like to fish fishes best between 4 and 7 feet. I was fishing a tributary mouth a week or so ago when that river was running 14 feet. I fished 2 hours, hooked 4, landed 2. Understand, I am no great shakes as a steelheader. But there are a few advantages to High water. You know where the fish ARE NOT. All that raging chocolate current for example. The fish will find the clearest, slowest water they can find. Use heavy gear, big corkies, and any bait you can find. Bring a partner and a net, and don't wade where you might drown.
Low water also offers tremendous advantages. In this situation, you know where the fish ARE. Fish that water with no bait, just a single #14 corkie and a #2 hook, 3 foot leader of 8 lb. or lighter, and try not to spook them.
Steelhead green water is fine too, but the gist of this is I only missed one day fishing this month due to high water. My friend that did fish that day laughed at me while telling about all of the fish I missed out on. It might take some exploring, because I ain't telling where my quick-to-clear streams are, but I like high water, because I know I will catch fish in solitude.
Almost every river with a decent run of steelhead has at least one tributary that will clear enough to fish within 4 hours of almost any rain.
As an example, a river I like to fish fishes best between 4 and 7 feet. I was fishing a tributary mouth a week or so ago when that river was running 14 feet. I fished 2 hours, hooked 4, landed 2. Understand, I am no great shakes as a steelheader. But there are a few advantages to High water. You know where the fish ARE NOT. All that raging chocolate current for example. The fish will find the clearest, slowest water they can find. Use heavy gear, big corkies, and any bait you can find. Bring a partner and a net, and don't wade where you might drown.
Low water also offers tremendous advantages. In this situation, you know where the fish ARE. Fish that water with no bait, just a single #14 corkie and a #2 hook, 3 foot leader of 8 lb. or lighter, and try not to spook them.
Steelhead green water is fine too, but the gist of this is I only missed one day fishing this month due to high water. My friend that did fish that day laughed at me while telling about all of the fish I missed out on. It might take some exploring, because I ain't telling where my quick-to-clear streams are, but I like high water, because I know I will catch fish in solitude.