low clear water fishing

hustlerrjim · 12-29-2003, 08:55 AM

Among my many degrees the one I cherish the most is my ability to catch steel head when the rivers are low and clear. Usually 10 to 1 compared to the rest of the herd.
Due to popular demands I will now let you in. on a few of my secrets .
The first thing you need to learn is------when the rivers are low--- fish in the lower parts of the river , and look for water that has bubble cover or riffles. [for the newcomers that would be rapids]
This is tantamount to success, but it is only part of it ,
Usually this water is so snaggy you cannot fish it, which leads me to the next thing that is Ultra important in this kind of fishing.
Drifting down the river, during these periords of low Clearwater, I am amazed, to see some fisherman still using the same gear they would for high muddy water conditions,-that is 15 # test leader, and at least an ounce of lead . these people are usually standing there wondering why they haven’t caught a fish.
When the water is low and clear, you must use very light line, and especially the leaders,
combine this with a very small slinky that barely touches the bottom during your drift and you are on your way to be successful in. low Clearwater.
If you are in a boat and you come to the long narrow shoots. [my favorite]
anchor up at the head of the shoot. use to about a 6 ft. leader, not over six pound test,with a no. 4 hook and a slink just long enough to get it to the bottom, drop this over the front of the boat and let it. drag The bait through the hole.-- free spool your reel.
During the many TV shows I’ve done , this was my favorite method. and the most productive. remembered the ‘fishing the West show? ;we had 27 fish in one day, using this back sliding method.
Bringing this altogether, the big secret to success when fishing Clearwater is; little tiny baits, small hooks, and very light line and fish the lower reaches of the river where the fish are waiting for freshwater.