Steelhead, really that hard to catch

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STEELHEAD Are they really that hard to catch?

By Vic Carrao

It's seems as though Steelhead have this myth that surrounds them that makes anglers from around the world seek them out. Steelhead have this reputation of being elusive, but are they really that hard to catch? Most anglers begin to fish for trout at a young age, then move on to salmon. Once accomplished at catching salmon the next step is the mighty steelhead.

Tackle used for steelhead is similar to that used for salmon. Ten - eleven foot drift rods with a float, weight and bait or lure attached to the mainline. The method is similar as well: cast slightly upstream and allow the bait or lure to drift down river at the same speed as steelhead, the variety of steelhead lures on the market is muchgreater. Bait,spinners, plastic worms, gooey bobs, corkies, Jensen eggs, the list is endless. If so many lures catch steelhead, then why is it that most anglers think they are so hard to catch?

The great bait debate is one that surrounds the steelhead on just about every river. Steelhead are known for having a weak spot for perfectly presented bait. They say bait out-fishes all other lures or artificials, but does it really? I personally don't use bait much and still catch my fair share of steelhead. I know many successful steel headers that have never used bait and do quite well. I also know many anglers who only use bait and don't catch many fish at all. So what does this all mean?
Are they really that hard to catch?

For salmon fishing, most anglers will arrive early in the morning to get their spot for the day. They will spend most of the day there or until they realize they have chosen a poor location to catch salmon. This is where most anglers go wrong for Steelhead. Think of the trout stream that you fished as a child, did you just stand in one place all day, did you walk the stream casting your worms and spinners? Steelhead are probably one of the most aggressive fish that you'll ever fish for, more often than not they will slam your bait or lure if they see it first. Steelhead are known for tuning on and off the bite very quickly, one minute everyone is catching them the next minute it's like they have vanished from the river. What does this all mean to the angler who seeks them out?

Think of yourself as a hunter not a fisher when targeting steelhead, walk the river casting in locations that steelhead like to travel or hold in. Try not to cast continuously in the same piece of water, hunt for those fish will to bite. Somewhere at any given time a steelhead is just laying there waiting for your lure to pass by. Steelhead are really not that hard to catch but can be very hard to find.

Steelhead prefer waters that offer certain requirements, shelter form predators, good flow of oxygen and limited penetration from light. Steelhead are unlike salmon as they will actively feed while in the river, they have instincts that were engrained at an early age. Steelhead stay in freshwater for up to two years so they must eat like all trout do, that's probably why bait is considered deadly.

Tight Lines and see you on the water

Vic Carrao
STS Guiding Service
www.guidebc.com

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