9AM, beautiful-looking canyon water.

All of sudden--slap! A sizeable fish splashes in the middle of the pool. "A nice steelhead," I think to myself. "A feisty hen." Another splash. I catch a glimpse of her broad tail, a promise of things to come. The fish is feeling good. I am too.

I toss out my black/red jig, expecting to see my balsa float yanked beneath the surface.

But it doesn't happen.

So I cast again. And again and again and again. Every 5 minutes or so, the steelie slaps her lovely tail. I try a different color jig. And then another. I toss out a silver spoon. The steelie splashes some more. Somewhere along the way, it suddenly feels like high school again, with the steelhead playing the virtuous schoolgirl and me resuming my role as foiled schoolboy with a handprint on my cheek.

My face begins to burn.

After two hours of trying, it appears I've put the fish down for good--no more splashing--and I've run out of moves to try on her. It's time to head home, maybe take a cold shower...


It's 2:30 PM now. I sit here at my computer, completely humbled, and ask you, my fellow steelheaders, does this happens to all guys?

What's the answer? How do you nail a hen like this?

Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks, gentlemen...

You don't!
You should have moved on to the nex hole and found a biter.
After fishing and trying several different colors of jigs with no results, you need to move on and maybe try it again on the way back!

A "no biter" is what you were seeing

Just pass it on as an "Experience"

Good luck next time!

Cowlitzfisherman,

Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook????

Cowlitzfisherman is right. That fish was one of those "nonbiters" you hear about. I know it's hard to turn your back on a fish, but that's what you have to do sometimes... Cut your losses and move on to new water, and hopefully, some fish that will bite. Good luck!

It happens to everybody!

I don't know if you use bait much, but most likely a bait of eggs or prawn or shrimp could have enticed that fish. Or perhaps the fish was just spooked!
Keith

Had the same thing happen to me today....only it was a 5 lb smallmouth..
She would chase a lure or worm, but not bite.
Oh well....would have released her anyway.

In most accounts fish that jump and roll around like that and don't bite could have been hooked before. Perhaps just before you got there. Was there anyone else fishing. I know with past experiences I have busted fish off that rolled and jumped around the hole for hours after. But if not the case I would also recommend bait. Eggs, long leaders, and light line!!
James