Looking to talk to some very avid steelhead anglers

[Parasite]

So, I've fished for steelhead for decades in the Great Lakes region, Michigan specifically. Now that I'm in the steelhead homeland in the PNW, I'm in a whole different ballpark. I'm basically looking for some help. I'v talked to some guys, and it looks like I am going to have to upgrade some tackle, especially if I want to tackle some of these monsters over 15#. I currently own a G3 1756 CC prop drive jon boat, as well as a kayak. I've owned a Hyde drift boat and a 12' raft in the past as well. I'll fish from the boat, shore, wade, piers, and surf and I'll fish most methods. About the only thing I wont do is troll (drives me up the wall). I'd like to meet some very avid steelhead anglers that I could pick their brains over the next few years. I need to figure out what tackle I need to upgrade, and possibly what boat I should upgrade to, if I have to. I don't know what the rivers and rivermouths are like here. I don't know the substrate. I don't know how the tides impact the fish. I don't what rivers have rapids. I don't know what rivers are treacherous, or are littered with logs and rocks. I'm thinking about upgrading to a 1756 CCJ (jet pump drive), but I also miss having a drift boat, and would love to buy another Hyde 14.5' low profile (though I doubt it will be as useful here as a high side boat).

So basically, I am a bit overwhelmed about trying to pick some rivers to fish out of the many out there, figuring out the profile of the entire length of the river, figuring out how fish run the rivers throughout the year, etc. I will say I'd love to find some small rivers/creeks to fish, but I'm just not sure if that's possible here. I've picked up some literature and have started reading through it, but nothing beats time out exploring. Anyone will to help or take me under there wing? I know how to fish steelhead and read the water ... I just need to figure out the specifics of this region. I'd like to get back into a pattern of fishing and hunting about 50-100 days a year again, which means pretty much every weekend.

[huntnphool]

 I'd suggest hitting a few rivers with some of the local guides, their expertise and knowledge is well worth the fee.

 Once you hit a few different rivers you will have all the info you need to do it on your own, money well spent.

[Parasite]

Already talking to one guide out on the peninsula for a trip on Feb 8th. But ... that's just one river. I know I am going to have a ton of questions to ask over the next few years.

[huntnphool]

Already talking to one guide out on the peninsula for a trip on Feb 8th. But ... that's just one river. I know I am going to have a ton of questions to ask over the next few years.

 Most of the info you learn about one river on the coast will be good on the others. River size and access will be different but the general info is all you are needing anyway.

[Bullkllr]

The suggestion to get a guide is a good one- and probably the single best thing to accelerate your learning curve.

There are also a lot of positives to learning one, or a couple, rivers well before branching out too much.

Your post/request sounds very ambitious. I applaud you for that. You are correct-learning all of that will take time...years.

And I don't mean to be discouraging, but you need to realize that in the present situation steelhead fishing in Washington has been reduced it to a shell of what it was in the recent past. Not that there aren't still fish to catch, but the decline in returns has led to many "challenges" - shall we say-
That's the very condensed version of the complicated scenario.

[tlbradford]

This is the time of year to be hitting the small tributary creeks.  They can be very productive.  I am either fishing a single egg, yarn, and a short, light leader, fly, or a hot shot/wiggle wart in these west side creeks.

While you have far less in fish numbers, I find that the well defined holding cover makes it easier to target fish.   

[Parasite]

This is the time of year to be hitting the small tributary creeks.  They can be very productive.  I am either fishing a single egg, yarn, and a short, light leader, fly, or a hot shot/wiggle wart in these west side creeks.

While you have far less in fish numbers, I find that the well defined holding cover makes it easier to target fish.   

That's good to know about the smaller tribs. Problem is, I don't know what any of those tribs are as of yet. I did buy a book a few weeks ago, but I am still reading through it. I actually prefer to wade fish smaller rivers which have little to no boat access. I do miss my 14.5' Low Pro Hyde for bouncing from spot to spot though on some rivers.

[huntnphool]

This is the time of year to be hitting the small tributary creeks.  They can be very productive.  I am either fishing a single egg, yarn, and a short, light leader, fly, or a hot shot/wiggle wart in these west side creeks.

While you have far less in fish numbers, I find that the well defined holding cover makes it easier to target fish.   

That's good to know about the smaller tribs. Problem is, I don't know what any of those tribs are as of yet. I did buy a book a few weeks ago, but I am still reading through it. I actually prefer to wade fish smaller rivers which have little to no boat access. I do miss my 14.5' Low Pro Hyde for bouncing from spot to spot though on some rivers.

 Contact George Rose on the peninsula, he is about the best guide around out there, been guiding those rivers for a long time and flat out gets his clients fish. Take notes the whole time, the info will be good for most rivers.

 One from yesterday.

[CallMeBigPapa]

X2 for George Rose

[boneaddict]

First of all, there’s no quick way to become a Steelheading expert.  There is a reason all of the old timers used to say “you had to fish a 100 hours before you could catch your first fish. “
The best advice has been given to you to get you started and to shave some time off that learning period.  Then enjoy the time on the water learning how to read the water.   That’s the fun part.   You won’t just learn a hundred rivers, as any given day on a single river can be completely different.   Focus on learning to read the water.

[Parasite]

I don't think you read my initial post. I've fished for steelhead for 20 years. I know how to read water. I know how to fish for them. I am just trying to cut down the learning time on river systems and their profiles, and same goes for the fish themselves. Im not in my home state of Michigan anymore.

[RockChuck]

Check out www.ifish.net some good info on northwest fishing to be had there as well

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

This is the time of year to be hitting the small tributary creeks.  They can be very productive.  I am either fishing a single egg, yarn, and a short, light leader, fly, or a hot shot/wiggle wart in these west side creeks.

While you have far less in fish numbers, I find that the well defined holding cover makes it easier to target fish.   

That's good to know about the smaller tribs. Problem is, I don't know what any of those tribs are as of yet. I did buy a book a few weeks ago, but I am still reading through it. I actually prefer to wade fish smaller rivers which have little to no boat access. I do miss my 14.5' Low Pro Hyde for bouncing from spot to spot though on some rivers.

 Contact George Rose on the peninsula, he is about the best guide around out there, been guiding those rivers for a long time and flat out gets his clients fish. Take notes the whole time, the info will be good for most rivers.

 One from yesterday.

Beautiful fish! Take notes on that water color. Steelhead green.  Don't care which river you fish. Water color like means fish somewhere....................

[WSU]

It's a bad party foul to name river names on the interwebz.  I'll share info privately if you swear to never do that.

[huntnphool]

It's a bad party foul to name river names on the interwebz.  I'll share info privately if you swear to never do that.

 He's a guide on the river, it's no secret.

[WSU]

It's a bad party foul to name river names on the interwebz.  I'll share info privately if you swear to never do that.

 He's a guide on the river, it's no secret.

I've talked to him and he is very particular about letting it be known where and when he fishes.  Posts like that can increase pressure over night.  Plus, it isn't even your information to share.  The internet has done a lot of harm to fishing.

There is a reason you see roughly zero serious fisherman naming river names.

[JimmyHoffa]

Yeah, a lot to figure out for that fish.  You mentioned tides, generally want the higher side of the tide; but that seems to be more important when the river has been low for a while.   With the river over mean values, tides aren't as important. 
Then you need to overlap for netting schedules if you're on the lower rivers.
Get kind of proficient at reading the flow levels from the USGS sites.  It doesn't take a whole lot of rain for some rivers to get them moving.
Freezing level and whether there's snow--you get good bumps in flow and color, usually better for afternoon fishing.
But really weird that individual rivers need different gear.  One I go to the fish like orange and about two sizes bigger, the next river over they like pink and a little smaller and the river that feeds into it they want black/purple.  But most like eggs and or shrimp.

[Bullkllr]

This thread here is worth a read.

https://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/forum/index.php?threads/145602/

It relates somewhat to the debate about what is "real fly fishing" or not, but it also speaks to greater issues regarding some of what is being discussed here.

[Parasite]

It's a bad party foul to name river names on the interwebz.  I'll share info privately if you swear to never do that.

The dude will abide....

But seriously, I understand. Michigan was very similar. That was one of my questions actually, to find out if I should not post names of any or just certain bodies of water.

[WSU]

It's a bad party foul to name river names on the interwebz.  I'll share info privately if you swear to never do that.

The dude will abide....

But seriously, I understand. Michigan was very similar. That was one of my questions actually, to find out if I should not post names of any or just certain bodies of water.

PM me your phone number if you want to chat.  You are hereby sworn to secrecy!

[7mmfan]

Sent you a PM as well.

[Parasite]

7mmfan ... Got your message, just been busy today and am working off my phone, not my laptop.

WSU ... message forthcoming.

Jimmyhoffa ... You mention netting schedules. Thanks for bringing that up. That's one of those little details that is new and foreign to me.

[Parasite]

It's a bad party foul to name river names on the interwebz.  I'll share info privately if you swear to never do that.

The dude will abide....

But seriously, I understand. Michigan was very similar. That was one of my questions actually, to find out if I should not post names of any or just certain bodies of water.

PM me your phone number if you want to chat.  You are hereby sworn to secrecy!

WSU, I never heard from you. Does this mean I'm free from the secrecy requirement? 

[WSU]

It's a bad party foul to name river names on the interwebz.  I'll share info privately if you swear to never do that.

The dude will abide....

But seriously, I understand. Michigan was very similar. That was one of my questions actually, to find out if I should not post names of any or just certain bodies of water.

PM me your phone number if you want to chat.  You are hereby sworn to secrecy!

WSU, I never heard from you. Does this mean I'm free from the secrecy requirement? 

At your own peril!  I've been swamped but will make a point to call soon.