ltlCLEO once wrote that catching steelhead is easy. It is just a matter of fishing when the time is right. Fishing when there are fish in the river. Timing the runs and knowing when and where to fish.

Is this an universal deal? Do all winter runs in all rivers spawn at the same time every year? Likewise do they all leave the salt at the same time, or does it vary with the distance they must travel?

Maybe I should go read a book, but being a Husky/Bush fan that could be tough according to some of yous guys.

papaslap,

ltlcleo is right. Steelhead are rediculously easy to catch. What's hard is being in the right place at the right time. Next hardest is doing the "right thing." That is, making a proper presentation. An undisturbed steelhead that is not stressed by dourness seldom refuses a properly presented bait or lure.

Yeah, ya' probably should read a book. But if you're a shrub guy, I can see why you'd rather just ask us instead. t.i.c.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

I've gotta agree with Itlcleo and Salmo G. You've got to fish over fish. And that old saying, "you probably had a steelie bite your lure, but you didn't feel it" is @#$%&* optimism to keep you coming back tomorrow. If you didn't have a bite, it's because you didn't have a bite!!! Sorry, I had to vent a little there.

I steelhead twice a year, the very crowded June opener so I have to park my buddy's truck and boat trailer two miles from the launch and walk back. Then spend the next six hours drifting, flogging, avoiding other boats, getting egg juice all over me and then walking two miles back to the truck to wait two hours in line to take the boat out. And then go home with nothing.

The other time I go is on New Year's Eve day. Brutally cold, a fifth of Crown Royal, several cigars, and I watch the ice form on my moustache. We flog the water for 6 hours and go home with nothing.