Steelhead help

[SuperT]

OK, it's been 15 years of off and on fishing trying to get a steelhead and I have yet to land one. It looks like there are fish everywhere so I guess it's now or never. Can anyone tell me where a good spot would be to get one (bank fishing). I'd like to fish the Wilson or Trask, but I'm still fairly new to the area and don't really know where to go (did all of my previous steelhead fishing on the Puyallup and Deschutes (WA)). Can anyone out there help with where to go and what to use. Thanks in advance.
Tony [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

SuperT, I'd take advantage of the Santiam River. All the local boys in that area love that river, as do I, but I only fished it on Floatilla Dos. Maybe Willierower or some others could give you some more info on that river. Bank fishing, I'd say shrimp or eggs with regular drift gear setup, jigs, or bait under a float. I'm definitely going back down there to fish with the riverbank babe and willierower in the near future. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[hawgcatcher]

My son fished the Trask over the weekend and got one small springer and saw a couple of others caught in the area of Loren's Drift off Chance Rd. on the south side. Lots of fish but slow. Wilson has Steelhead, but not much luck yet. Good luck.

[Sand Shrimp]

Take a drive down highway 6 along the Wilson and stop at some of the pullouts along the river and explore.It's open below Jones Creek bridge and there should be some summer steelhead scattered through the river.

Talk to me in July Super T. Many ways and lot's of great advice on this board. Don't forget to try something simple on the coastal rivers, like a plain ole' sand shrimp, no color, as light as you can go, mainline and leader (low clear water try 8 and 6 or no more than 10 and 8). Use a LONG leader. Smallest split shot you can use to get you down on the mainline, and smallest swivel you got, if you use it. Also try shrimp and crawdad scents. Drift it or plunk it at various spots. Worked for me over the years in low clear water, especially up in the Siletz Gorge.

Sometimes simple over exotic or high tech will get you that Summer Steelhead. Bobber and jigs (major experts on this board and inventors in this area) also a fun and "Bobber Down!" way to go after them.



[ 06-12-2001: Message edited by: ****** ]