A lesson I relearned today. When you catch a hen (or buck) go back to the drift after you have rested it and catch their partner.

I'll have to second the comments on carrying a hook file. Once you've made the investment in time, treasure and tackle to finally achieve the immaculate connection with Mr Steel, you want to make sure you stick'em good. I would venture to guess more fish are lost to dull hooks than anything else.

With a tip of the hat to Dave V. - the expert on float fishing - the biggest mistake that I see float fishermen make is not adjusting their weight/float ratio so that the float stands vertically through the drift.

I think the biggest mistake I used to make was when I would participate in the "Lemming syndrome" as General Zog calls it. I thought that whatever everyone else was using had to be what was working, so I would tie on the same thing. This is the wrong thing to do! Show the fish something different!!

Tight Lines!

Without a doubt, in my experience the #1 single biggest mistake I see beginners make is allowing slack in the line.
You can have the sharpest hooks, the right offering, be in the right place at the right time and do everything else right, but if you have slack, you've got jack.
Slack is a negative to every aspect of steelheading regardless of technique or style and yet it is the most common fault you will among novices. From beginning to end, slack negatively affects presentation, the ability to detect the take, the opportunity to strike or set hook, control during the fight and success in landing a fish. Take the slack out and you not only land more but you will actually hook more too.
Many other things are important to becoming a more successful steelheader but ultimately it is line control that separates the expert from the novice. Once a novice becomes expert it is possible to use slack with control in certain techniques, but even the expert tries to avoid this at all costs because they know it puts them at disadvantage.
I believe it was the General I once heard say, 'take the slack out of your line and you might start catching some of those fish you've been missing'.
I think my response at the time was probably, 'what fish?'.

1. The biggest mistake is to fish in one place too long. Five casts in a spot then move.

2. Fish the right section of river for the water conditions...... low water fish lower in the system.

3. Small presentations for steelies

4. Line size means nothing even in clear water. I use 12lb for winters and summers. When a fish decides to bite, he's gonna take it if you've got 8 or 12.

5. Fish every piece of water that looks like a trout would lay in, steelies are overgrown trout.

6. Bait cure means nothing, steelhead are sight biters not scent. A boraxed egg is as good as it gets. Sulfite is ok too.

7. fish places that you've caught then in before.

8. Don't use too much lead, steelies are sight biters and very aggresive unless waters are very cold..... ie 33-38 degrees then a slower presentation is needed.

When I fish steelhead I will fish every spot possible in a days time( 25-50 slots/holes) move lots to find the fish. If you fish two holes all day and there is only two fish in them your odds are much less than 30 holes with one in each hole. If you fish all 30 holes you could hook those 30 fish.

Another classic beginner move...thumbing the line!

Being married to one type of gear. Just because a red corky and green yarn put a fish on the bank last week doesn't mean it's the ticket today. If I'm floating eggs I cast until I've covered all the holding water once. I then squirt shrimp oil on the eggs and work the water again. Then it's sand shrimp time. If bait doesn't do it I run a jig or a pink worm thru it's paces. If nothing has happened I grab my drift rod and chuck a spoon or spinner. If no fish liked the menu options then I move up or down river to another run.
Have the patience to work each run thoroughly and be flexible in your offerings.

Watch other around you. Now that being said don't stalk a guy or crowd them but just watch what they guys who are getting fish are doing. Most of the time the difference is small. Pay attention and ask questions. Starting out, if your respectfull and nice most guys will help you out with little hits to put you in the right direction. And there is no fast way or miracle bait or techinique, steelheading takes time on the water. Keep learning.

Tight lines

Kevin

Not taking a kid on every single trip!

I should have added. I was a fishing maniac when I was a kid and I think the Rivers, Lakes, Creeks of my youth saved me from the insanity around me growing up in a dysfunctional family and community. I have caught my share so it's not about catching as much any more as it is seeing the years come back through a childs eyes as they ponder the possiblities on the way to fish. I was blessed with this gift of the love of fishing and it would be a big mistake not to give someone else that gift.

Good on ya mate.
Receiving this gift and wanting to share it go hand in hand. It's when we want to give that we first begin to realize how much we have received.

Thanks again to all of you guys out there who continue to unselfishly share your wisdom, knowledge and experiences with all those who desire to know. It is a true reflection of your heart and of all that you have received. Happy New Year to you!

And for anybody who is ready to find out how much they have learned and perhaps even how little they know, why not put yourself to the test and take a kid fishing this year?
I mean, buddy, can you spare the time?
One thing is for sure, you'll get back far more than you could ever give. Guaranteed.

1. fishing heavily used water
2. not covering enough water
3. using the same thing as everyone else
4. not fishing often enough
5. buying poor equipment
6. lack of information.. (when, where)