Can you fish when the river's blown out?

uspolymer · 12-12-2003, 04:48 PM

The coastal rivers are expected to rise this weekend. Are the rivers fishable? If yes, what's the best method?

I'm still learning (a very steep learning curve) how to fish for steelhead. I tried corkie, corkie & yarn, sandshrimp, jigs and so far, nada. But the important thing is I'm enjoying the process.

"All I want for Christmas is a picture with a bright steehead...that's all" :smile:

Merry Christmas and happy fishing!

Alan

David Johnson · 12-12-2003, 04:55 PM

Sure you can fish, but will you catch? The odds are against anyone if the water is muddy and brown.

As this morning several rivers were fishable but on the rise. Some were muddy.

If you can find a stream that has a decent vis than your odds are much better. Also, dropping rivers are a lot better to fish on than rising ones.

Bobby Ray · 12-12-2003, 05:03 PM

Yep Dave nailed it

I'm heading out tomorrow and hoping for the best.

If the water is high, keep your offerings close to shore ( MY 2 )

Good luck
Bobby

GL2 · 12-12-2003, 05:32 PM

I know a old timer who always catches fish when the river he lives in is nasty. He put it pretty simple to me. "i know where the fish are gonna be."
Find a good bend in the river and fish the inside of the bend. Fish aren't stupid so they won't hold in the main current during high water. They don't want to use alot of engery, so they hold in the soft water.
This can be as close a 2 of 3 feet from the bank.
Try plunknig a spin and glow, with shrimp tail out a few feet. Fish smell in parts per billion so even in dirty water, they can smell bait. Some scent from Marie wouldn't hurt either.
The bottom line is put it on there nose, I don't care how dirty the water is they will feed.
As the water drops they will move back to traditional holding water. So where the fish are can change in a few hours if your on a river that drops fast.
Learn to read high water & low water for holding spots. Thats a big key to this game. When you know what type of water to fish given the conditions, you're hookups go way up.
That is one of the most enjoyable parts of steelheading.
When you look over a piece of water and, decide that right at that spot is where he's holding. So you cast to that spot & boom fish on. Thats when you feel grateful for the skill to read the water, and thankful the river has given you reward for knowing her so well.

Mad Mikey · 12-12-2003, 06:04 PM

I love high water fishing, I prefer it on the drop but if I can go and the rivers are blown I still try.
Pick a river that you drift a lot. The main slot will be screaming where you usually fish the outside bends. Go to the opposite bank, "fishing in the Willows" I call it. The fish will take the path of least resistance and they will be there. Up your plug sizes or drift offerings and don't be afraid to fish a short line right at your feet.
I have been skunked more than I have scored in high water but the times I've been into them at the right time have put double digit numbers on my rod.

NFN a few years ago I went to the hatchery and the water was over 80". Mud, logs and schoolbuses full of screaming kids floated by. I went above the hatchery aways and found a little spot of slow water right at my feet. I had NO bait but greased up a #5 spinner with scent and nailed an old Summer fish, one chinook which I released because I wanted steelhead and two chrome Winter fish that I promptly bonked.
I took my fish and walked down to the deadline then walked back up the pavement to my truck, the hatchery guys came out of their houses in disbelief.
It CAN happen if you hit it right, you just gotta try......

David Johnson · 12-12-2003, 08:00 PM

I was there that day, saw the school bus of kids. All I caught was a couch and two dairy cows though

[ 12-12-2003, 09:32 PM: Message edited by: David Johnson ]

SHOUGALNITE · 12-12-2003, 08:22 PM

Gl2 nailed it.

Uglygreen · 12-12-2003, 08:24 PM

Ditto the plunking. The best way to learn is to go to one of the regular plunking spots and visit with the regulars, there are always some old men that just want an ear to chew on for an hour or two. Be interested and respectful and you will learn a ton of "old school" stuff that has been killing fish for the last 50 years.

Also, if you can find a fast clearing creek dumping into a muddy main river, you can hit the gold mine. Well the "chrome" mine at least.

UG

uspolymer · 12-12-2003, 11:34 PM

Wow...thanks for the wealth of information! I'll try your recommendations and if it doesn't work, I'll try it again. :smile: I'm taking along my digital camera...just in case!

Have a great weekend!

Alan

Mad Mikey · 12-13-2003, 03:07 AM

>>>All I caught was a couch and two dairy cows though [shrug]<<<

GL2 · 12-13-2003, 06:48 AM

Mad Mikey;
Whats up with the new avitor, your old one was sweet.
Are you getting a little old?? :grin:
Is a new handle coming too..
Mellow Mikey??

I'm just joshing you, I used to drive race cars & your avitor had alot of "pucker" factor in that picture.
I really dug it cuz, it's a put up or shut up shot!
BTW- The Tualtion River is where I learned to steelhead & it's always muddy. I bet I know where a few are laying right now...

BTW- What were you doing up @ 4:00 a.m.???
You weren't checking river levals were you. Could have been one of those, I tell ya when we leave were we will be fishing deals.

[ 12-13-2003, 07:55 AM: Message edited by: GL2 ]

horseskull · 12-13-2003, 09:13 AM

GL2 is right on. Still remember the day my uncle Darrell took me down to the Alsea 30 years ago. The river was simply blown out, high and muddy. He plunked not more than 3 feet from an undercut bank with soft water. Within 10 minutes steelhead on. He was one of those "old timers" that knew where the fish are and how to get them.

[ 12-13-2003, 10:14 AM: Message edited by: horseskull ]

DownTime · 12-13-2003, 10:05 AM

I think GL2 is right also.I caught two silvers(partner one,me one) on the N.fork Lewis at 17,000 cfs flow right off the bank and then got off the river,scary when it is running that high and hard.

JB[/LIST]:blush:

Mad Mikey · 12-13-2003, 03:32 PM

GL2,

Just messing around, I might put the old one back. That trout got a little squooshed in the process. He looks like he is gagging on carrot juice.
4AM??? That's sleeping in........