Teaching beginners

[First Bite]

I'd have to agree with the jig/bobber routine. This past summer I got three friends into their first Steelhead on their first trip. They all have limited fishing experience too. For first timers, anything under a float is relatively easy to learn without the headaches. Have fun.

[Kwiky]

Hey, aren't you the same guy who got the Snoopy pole and reel for Christmas? Already got your own boat, huh? You must've upgraded awfully quick from that push button combo.........

I'll give you ten bucks if you break your uncle in on the snoopy pole. I'll bet you can pull a bait and diver with it.

Kwiky

[Snagly]

My simple advice is to mentally write the day off as a "no fish" day for yourself before you take your uncle. Focus on boat control, or scenery or fishing (via your uncle!) some marginal spots you might otherwise skip. That way, you won't get antsy not fishing. Anything your uncle manages to hooks mentally counts as two for you anyway. I didn't used to take this approach with my eldest boy, and turned him off fishing. Won't make the same mistake with the younger thug.

You may also want to consider pulling plugs along with floats/ jigs.

[Grant Scheele]

Casting bobber and jigs still takes some basic skill. If he has zero experience he will get frustrated. Diver and sand shrimp or pulling your favorite plugs is the easiest way to introduce a neophyte into Steelheading in my opinion.

I agree with Snagly, don't plan on a slay fest. Try to make it a trip that includes some fishing but also good food, good scenery and good conversation. Most people have not only never caught steelhead, but they have also never floated down a beautiful Oregon coastal river.

Some of my best fishing days have come when I have promised my family a float trip and not a hard core fishing trip. Sometimes the fish seem to bite better when the aura is calm.

[Steelheader69]

I'd have to agree with above. But, there ARE alternatives so you too can fish. What you should do is pull plugs through good plug holes, then run baitdivers. Then, if you get to a good slot where you can driftfish here's what you can do. Find a good slot at head of hole or at tailout and set up a plunking rod for your uncle. Then, you take other part of slot and run your driftgear. That way he can watch his rod, and be involved with his rod (you can even go one better and instead of a rod holder or Y stick you can have him hold his rod so he feels he's doing something and feels the bites directly). I'll agree with the jigs aspect. Unless you find a nice easy spot, you'll have to teach him to mend his line and get a drag free presentation.

Well, good luck. Just remember, if you don't have patience, you shouldn't have him in the boat. Though he's older and your uncle, nothing worse then ruining a fishing experience for a newcomer. Like myself, when I fish I FISH. When I have my kids with me in my boat, I act as guide and help them fish. I found you can't really do both effectively. You will get frustrated if you do both.

Good luck....

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

[scales]

I have an uncle who lives out of state and is desperately wanting me to take him steelhead fishing. I am generally not one who enjoys taking out beginners mainly because it is very frustrating and time consuming. I will be taking him on a drift in my boat and my question is as follows. What are the best methods for me to teach him without causing too much anguish and frustration? I know that running a bait and diver would be a rather easy method for him to pick up on but he may get bored with this. He has zero fishing experience so drift fishing is out of the question. Just curious how others manage to ensure a nice and hopefully successful trip for new fisher people. You guides probably see this from time to time. Any help would be appreciated

[local_hooker]

Jig and bobber is pretty effective and as simple as it was when you were seven. Heck My three yr. old can do it?