High Murky Water Steelhead Tactics - Contest #2

This will be good timing with the rain storms coming. ... Our first contest, 'low gin clear water tactics', had an excellant response of good ideas! The winner of that contest is 'Fishheads5', with his suggestion of bringing along a shovel and throwing some dirt into the riffles above a hole to color up the water long enough to get a bite. True thoughtful innovation. Enough so that I picked his the winner even though there could be some concern about throwing too many shovel loads of dirt into the river, or stirring up gravel; so go easy on that one. FH5, Jen and Bill refuse to donate the prize I put up without their knowledge (pushing you down the Wilson at 2.2' in their driftboat), so that means you get the alternate prize of this issued public statement: "You, Fishheads5, are one cool dude and steelhead fishermen." - RT. ... Next contest ....

OK, the prize(s) for winning this contest #2 is a non-expense paid trip to Port Angeles Washington to tour Marty Michaelis's (sp? - Smilesforu) "Fifth Avenue Tackle" and your choice of any rare lure that he has in stock. It is up to the winner to force Marty into this because, like Jen & Bill, he doesn't know I donated his stuff for a prize. In the event that he will not co-operate, I will publicly post that the winner is a dam good plunker of a steelheader . This time, no limit on the number of tactical tips; just keep it reasonable so others have a chance at the valuable prizes . ... I will start off with some tips. ....

Before I do, let me give you one of Buzz Ramsey's high murky water steelhead tactics: In an article that Buzz wrote many years ago entitled "Come On Down, The Cows Are Drowning", his main message was not to stay home when the water is way up and brownish. His main stated trick was to use a little longer driftfishing leader to get your offering a little further up off bottom because the fish will be further off to avoid the rushing mud and silt along the bottom. Back then 18" leaders were the norm for fishing any water color other than clear. It's still a good length to use for that because when a fish picks up a bait the leader de-slacks quicker enabling a quicker hookset before it's spit out. His 'long' leader back then was adding about 10", to use a 28" leader for the muddy water with 2 flame red oakie drifters on it (jam the oakie or large corkie hole with a toothpick to keep it snugged to the hook). That seems to be about the popular average leader length nowdays anyway. He would drift and work this setup thru the seams out of the strong current. I'm sure he used scent on the oakies. ....

My main tip for fishing high and murky rivers for steelhead (and salmon as well) is to fish the proper holding water. This would be places that are out of the strong currents. As mentioned above, the seams just off the main currents lines are good for trying to driftfish. I also will suggest fishing way over near the shore in slower eddy water, or even water with almost no current where that occurs near shoreline. My second tip is to use lure and bait combos that are larger, brightly colored (such as flame red/chartruse combo), and make noise/vibration. My favorite combo has been size 2 or 4 Spin N Glos with egg cluster and shrimp oil added. Use a little larger 2/0 hook for steelhead when using a larger SnG. I like to 'work' this combo in the mentioned slow holding water by a combo of slow drifting &/or backbouncing. Sometimes I will very slowly reel it thru slack water right near shore where the shallower water allows more light to filter to the lure; and the fish will often be there. Of course using a float to fish these slack water areas with bait and bright and white yarn or 3/8 oz. large profile jigs with shrimp tail on the hook is the way to go in many cases. Don't overlook wide shallower tailouts in the slower moving spots or behind boulders too. The fish like to rest there after climbing challenging rapids. ... With more fish to return this year you have the chance to really improve your high water fishing tactics and success, so get after 'em. ...

Bring on the tips fishers. I can't wait to see what FH5 can come up with. Do ya know of a way to clear up the water in a hole for a few minutes? I think that would be a little more tricky than your opposite suggestion .

------------------
Know fish or no fish. - RT

[This message has been edited by RT (edited 12-21-2000).]

[ZaQ]

I am a plug worker. I like using my boat to catch fish. When the water turns to chocalate, and I actually go out fishing, I like to work a bright hot shot against the bank. And a diver bait a few feet upriver from that. You would be surprised how many fish you can catch 2-3 feet off the bank. And when the water is up and muddy, that is where they are going to be.

------------------
Fish this!
ZaQ

[alwyze fishin]

Well I was going to post tell I read the word Buzz. I’ll just say I had a bad experience with the guy once and have no respect for him. I’LL stop it at that.

Good luck on the contest

Jeff alwyze fishin

Hey Jeff, what does a bad experience with a guy sometime ago have to do with persent day tips for your fellow Ifishers?

[Shannon]

I"ll give ya some tips if you place those in your book. Just kiddin!! Now don't get too many people all hay wirery about high water tacs. I'm praying for high water this weekend. I'm finally going to wet a hook and have some down right producing places to go to in high water. I hope that the high water discourages a few of the regulars.

Raise....Raise

When in doubt set the hook....and I will.
I've been pacing the floors for weeks. WEW

How do you put smily faces on the end of a sentence?

[Hammer Bob]

I prefer the largest birdies they make (made) in chartreuse/flame orange combo rigged to spin fast with at least two beads for bearings. Combine this with a small piece of yarn in cherise or chartreuse with a little scent if legal. I like to fish this as close to the bank as possible...usually the opposite side of the river or if the river is large fish the seams. I usually use a 24 inch leader but I think the most important thing is to keep the birdie in the seam. If there aren't many people along the bank a cast across then walk down the bank to keep the birdie in the hot zone. Repeat, repeat, repeat.....HB

[alwyze fishin]

OK RT you’re right.

Well in high muddy water I like to fish the slow slack moving water when the river is in good shape. With the water levels up this puts a good flow through those spots. I don’t do much plugging I do have hundreds of $ in plug’s. i just can't seem to get the hook’s in to the fish so I don’t us them. Any way, I still use the same set up I would in good water. Except now I fish the faster moving water in those other wise slow spots. The set up would be 8 pound main, 6 pound leader, and a littler larger hook.the lighter the line the less drag it will have. I still use just pink yarn and a glow pink corky. In the last few years I really started to use more sand shrimp. The darker the water the bigger the sand shrimp. Faster the water the more weight to slow it down.

It’s no great technique, but I think the fish that have returned a few times know the resting spots and will still rest in them even if the water is a little faster, it works for me. I can say in the last few years I have not gone home with out hooking in to a Steely.

Jeff alwyze fishin

[Roeboat]

One of my favorite tactics regards the weight used. I rig 1 ounce weights to an 8 inch piece of thin electrical wire. I wrap the weight with electrical tape and up onto the thin wire. You now have a relatively straight weight/wire combo that is very tangle free when casting, heavy enough for the high water condition and places your bait right in the fishes face. (the tape around the weight also helps it bounce)wire the weight/wire rig to your swivel and fish as usual. Use a shorter than normal leader and fish the rigs very close to shore. Use a medium spin n glow with a sand shrimp/ egg combo. Very effective colors are orange/chart/cerise and use scent.

The other thing I always look for is a steep protruding bank above a wider tail out area (normally frog water or even gravel in low water). Tie or anchor up to the bank and let out the plugs. Usually on a day like this with high fast water the rower is in no hurry to row his butt off down the stream so relax and let the fish come to you. You know they have to pass your boat and fish are moving. Often I find the plugs are really pulling hard because of the fast water and you need really well tuned plugs. Let them out and then just work them back letting out line slowly. While we all prefer to have all plugs running exactly the same distance out when rowing downstream that will not be the case with this approach. The good thing is you can and will catch fish doing this when very few fish are being caught.

[smilesforu]

Bummer I was going to just take them fishing instead. (Hoping I could learn a new trick myself) From the sounds of it I want hammer bob to win so I can get some of the birdies he is hording.

Lets see I am suppose to enter the contest in case I might win to protect my tackle horde. Looks like everybody has beat me to fishing the edges of the current....hmmm

With the higher water I would leave the big water stuff alone and go fish the small creek/ tributary stuff that gets enough rain for fish to enter only on the high water days. These get planted with hatchery fish and have wild populations of steelhead that are worth some brush busting. Just need to know your fish runs and the timing for those streams to maximize your efforts. Did I win?
Tight Lines

------------------
Marty M
Steelheader.net

That is a good one hardy Marty! For the small quick clearing ones that are open to fishing, some are among the zipperlip streams with good numbers of anadromous fish for their sizes. However, as good as that tip is Marty, I think you must be DQ'd from grand prize contention of saving one of your favorite lures . I will give you a deserved special consolation prze right now though: A public statement for thousands of fisherman around the great Pacific Northwest, including BC & AK - "Marty Michaelis is one heck of an Oly Pen high water fishing terror! Pretty darn good in all flows too. ... For a local. Well, not that awesome for a guy that has fished for so long and so much. Actually, he probably could learn a thing or two from us Oregonian fishers. As a matter of fact the guy is average at best. And that's if you don't count the guides and really serious fishermen. Oh man, this Smiles dude is an embarrassment to the pride of the Oly Pen!" ... jk. You are a living legend Marty. Well, kind of a legend of sorts. And thanks for all your contributions. - RT

[smilesforu]

Thats it RT!! no more tillamook bricks for you!! Let me know when your headed this way again.... it is time for you to school me I still need to get a new drift boat . Oh well I still have feet I am a legend in my own mind The king fishing didn't sound good enough to tempt me into the long drive. There are fish in the local rivers from now until they close, so if that foot gets healthy I will let you try some zipperlips. Mostly brats right now but some natives have been showing in decent numbers. Time for bed so I can debate whether to fish or finish the christmas stuff tomorrow.
Tight Lines

------------------
Marty M
Steelheader.net

[Tanner]

How about just using some of the larger sized phosforescent(SP) corkies.

I have had pretty good success fishing hardware in off colored to muddy water. I like to throw something along the lines of a chartreuse or bright orange little cleo type spoon. Or some larger sized (4 - 5) Orange or Chartreuse Blue Fox spinners with a gold blade. The gold blade gives off more flash in dark water conditions. Same with plugs, stick to copper or gold colored plugs and keep them in the soft water along the edges.

Tanner

------------------
Work is for people who have an expensive fishing habit to support.

Good tips guys. There is also glow-in-the-dark Warts and other glow plastics to use with bait; and these are good ideas. That glo-stick fluid in the small bubble trick is interesting. Lots of apps for the glo-stick. The color spectrum it becomes is chartruse but shows up brighter in the low light under the murky water. .... I would add a combo of chartruse and flame red lure tape to the tail area of those gold plugs for murky water fishing. Maybe thread wrap on a glo-stick and some bait filet to the belly of a Mag Wart in flame red with the bright white tail section would be a good one to use along the seams. ... Lots more ideas to come hopefully. Thanks. ....

BTW, I would be honored for you to school me on some zipperlip streams on the Pen, Martamous. Hey, what kind of name is that anyway ? Martamous 'Manhandler of Steelhead' Michaelis . My foot and back are doing a little better these days Marty, so I can do some short hikes or spell ya on the sticks part-time if you get the d-boat. Let's get after those huge nates, a little earlier this time, than we tried last spring. Despite all these good tips, lets go when the water isn't ripe for planting potatoes or looks like it just came out of a bunch of gin bottles. ... BTW, what is a Tillamook brick? The only bricks other than building blocks that I know of are hard, missed the rim, shots by Scotty Pippen and those small bales of stuff that look like catnip (I've never seen one - seriously - but have heard of this). - Stephenous 'Needs a BIG Nate' Hanson (and I think needs a big nap to cut the sillyness quotient down some too )


------------------
Know fish or no fish. - RT



[This message has been edited by RT (edited 12-22-2000).]

[Hammer Bob]

Whoa there smilesforu, when did my tackle get thrown into the kitty? I thought we were vying for a 30 minute shopping spree through your tackle store...at least that's what I thought RT said. I must admit I did find out that the birdie dies where worn out several years ago and that there would be no more produced....sigh! Forced me into buying several hundred (well maybe a thousand) in what my wife believes was some really strange impulse buying (actually it was panic!)....she just doesn't understand. Really wish I could have gotten those pearlesent (sp) Oakie drifters before they went the way of the dinosaur. Hey maybe there could be some trading going on......hint, hint!!

[smilesforu]

Rt a tillamook brick is a brick of cheese...remember Not sure about getting a boat as much as it would be nice, I may be moving to follow the fiancee's job... Hope she picks a place in Forks or Terrace ...My luck it will be Oklahoma..yikes

Hammer Bob
I don't have a big stash of the large okies in pearl essence. I have had to hand paint the clear orange and red okies with finger nail polish after I dip them in cherise paint. I did get some from a tackle shop close out a month ago but not in huge quantities. I have a couple hundred of the large birdies (got from a friend of a friend of Buzz Ramsey), but mine are all a solid color which get to meet "Mr Dremmel" for paint removal. Would really like to find a stash of the old hard winged glo gos, but have learned to settle on the birdies I have left.
Got a bag of 500 plain white bobbers that work great for custom coloring. Wonder if these patents have expired so we can copy them.

It would be nice to have the opportunity for more panic buying sprees!! I understand now about that trade..

Tight Lines

------------------
Marty M
Steelheader.net

[Hammer Bob]

Here is another trip salvaging strategy when faced with high water. Since I am confined to the bank while steelheading, in low or high water, here is my preference for high water. I like to find a spot where there is some obstruction right next to the bank that the fish must absolutly go around to continue moving upstream. This can be a rock, branch, log or anything else which breaks up the current and creates a pocket of calm water below it. Now what I like to do is place a spin-n-glo or large birdie in chartruese/red combination combined with a bit of HB's special eggs trailing it. This is held in place with a large enough slinky to keep it right in the fish's face if they want to move around the obstacle. The only problem I have found is that the fish are typically moving fairly fast and you may detect a brief downward jerk of the rod tip followed by the whole presentation moving upstream with the fish....use a bit of yarn to snag their teeth and give you more of a chance. Hooksets are often right at your feet in 18-24 inches of water...YIKES!! Most of the time these spots are in tight quarters so heavier line is in order as you may have to stand your ground with no chance of following the fish. Often the fish are confused by the off-color water and don't really know where they are....just hope they don't swim out into the heat and stay close to the bank!! Good Luck!

[WheresMyBobber]

I love to fish high off color water for steelhead. Time to leave the boat at home and do some good old bank fishing. Usually there are few if any other anglers out, but the fish are still there! It's actually easier fishing, because the fish will be less scattered throughout the holes. You just need to know where to look.

I've had my best luck using my usual gear, but I go down in leader length to 12-16". I also use a little larger bait and/or corkie.

I usually look for slow moving water that has a good dropoff into deeper or faster water. The fish will pull up right next to the bank in these conditions - I've caught many fish within 2 feet of the bank in 2-4 feet of water. My experience has been the darker the water, the closer to the bank the fish will be. I'll make short casts with the intent of my bait swinging around next to the bank, and always let it sit at the end of the drift for a minute before starting to reel in. Or, I'll slowly reel in a little at a time and let it sit again for a minute. If you can find a spot where the high water is partially covering a bush, rootball or downed tree, these are also great spots for steelhead to sit while waiting for the water to clear up.

If you keep your eyes peeled for these types of high/off colored spots, you only need to find and learn a couple of them. If there's fish in the river, they'll be there waiting for you!

[plugged in]

I don't think the guy that told me this was to bright, but could catch fish and has the pics to prove. Get the smallest clear water filled bobber you can and use it as a corkie.Then get a glow stick, preferably neon yellow or orange. Flash it with a camera flash a couple of times and cut the tip off. Instead of water in the bobber use the glow liquid. now once out of the stick it doesn't last as long, so get fishing. Apparently this works but I am not brave enough to try. I don't catch enough fish as it is, but if any of you do happen to try it let me know how it works.

[Capin' Dan]

Clacker Tads, ohh Clacker Tads brighter the better and work work work. Look for the structure and shores. And when all else fails try using about a 8/0 treble that is weighted at the center. I heard that can work if you can find fish that are concentrated.

[Steelheader69]

Here's my prefered method. I was raised a plunker, so when the water starts to run hard and murky I pull out my old trusty plunking rods (I still use my old fenwicks with Ambassadeurs). I'll look for the backeddies just on the rif off the strong current. Then I'll use a slider attached to mainline (I always use a slider for my pyramid weight, not the fixed three way swivel that alot of mags suggest) and attach a 5 ounce pyramid to it. I put on a barrel swivel then put about a 2-2 1/2 ft leader on it. I always do a double hook setup. I tie in a size 2/0 main then a 1/0 trailer. Above those I use TWO spin n glos. Usually a size 2 and 4 in combo. The smaller being closer to hook. I always put a couple beads between hook and S n G and also a couple beads between both S n G's. Just a precautionary on my part. The S n G's I prefer to use are either hot pink with mylar wings or the traditional char/red. My prefered bait isn't eggs, but I use whole sandshrimp threaded onto trailer then securing the tail of shrimp onto 2/0 hook. I have my own home made shrimp threader that i use to skewer the shrimp and threads easily onto my hooks. I alway prefer to have the head and pinchers of shrimp facing downstream, not up (I've seen alot of guys have tail downstream). I know from watching crawdads in rivers when little and watching enough nature shows that the crustaceans flee upstream in reverse. This way it looks like a fleeing shrimp. A little extra shrimp oil won't hurt either. I've had alot of success with this setup, and I've caught one of my bigger steelies this way in muddy water with it (24 lbs).

Hey, did I win??? I need to go and get those okies from Marty that he outbid me on ebay for. HEHEHE

------------------
You haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.

Tough to pick a winner. Can't really. So the winner is a tie between Hammer Bob and Steelheader69. It would be a good idea to combine their posted techs together! Get after those fish that way when the water seems almost out, instead of staying home. ...

OK, Bob and Jerry, you guys head on up to Fifth Avenue Tackle. Your tips were such that I think Marty should give you guys a free shopping spree. Gee, he has so much stuff it wouldn't put much of a dent in his pile . In case he scoff's at this, here is the consolation statement prize: "You 2 guys, Bob and Jerry, are just great high water plunking steelhead fishermen; and swell guys". - Hey, thanks for all the tips fishers; it's really appreciated. Keep them coming if you haven't seen the thread yet. - RT

[smilesforu]

Geez Jerry you drove the price up so dam high on the okies I had to mortgage my puma. Is this like a publisher's clearing house contest? Lots of junk mail coming soon? hehe
Tight Lines

------------------
Marty M
Steelheader.net

[Navigator]

Steelheader,

Which current do you work you bait in? The back eddy next to the main current or the main current itself (just beyond or in the seem).

[dummy]

1 to 2oz weight a 18" leader a large spin and glow two hokks in tamdem and a sandshrimp wraped. cast out ten feet and walk it along the bank, lifting you rod helping it down stream. walk the hole river. this is a killer tech if you dont like plunking you cover lots of ground and will evently smack one on the nose. so when you show up and logs are passing buy and you cant see a inche bellow dont go home with out trying this.

[Hotshot]

I like to use fresh eggs right out of a hen i seems after u get that first hen there are many to follow using fresh egss

------------------
www.olympicpeninsulafishing.com Fish Willy Boats

[Steelheader69]

First off, I put the bait just off the seem right outside the main current channel. Basically at the head of the "hole". I also suggest the line free flowing through a swivel/slider with weight attached. This way your offering will free flow in current and not have any drag due to three way swivel. You can watch your rod tip work the current and will noticably see strikes easier then three way swivel. Usually with the faster current they fish will lay up in the deeper holes that aren't kicking current so fast.

Now Marty, I had NO idea anyone would be crazy enough to bid over $58 for a few okies and corkies . I fealt I was safe. I went on a nice float trip on the Hoh (nailed a few steelies at that) and you went and outbid me. Serves you right . Oh well, I'll be collecting them here in a few days since I won the contest, right???? LOL. It's ok, that same weekend on the Hoh I found about 100 okies that fell out of someones boat. All in one nice package. They're in clown color, but I can paint em'.

Jerry

------------------
You haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.

[smilesforu]

Jerry I got more than a few, but was after the pink ones for sure. Fingernail polish does a pretty good job for custom color work...even comes with its own brush.
Tight Lines

------------------
Marty M
Steelheader.net