Steelhead fishing the Sky

[Heartsblood]

So, If you don't know already, I'm fairly inexperienced @ fishing. But, that ain't gonna stop me. I'm thinking of heading out to the Skykomish on monday - do a little bank fishin'. Apparently they've counted up to 30 at the Reiter hatchery so we'll be paying attention to that. But there are lots of other spots right now to try out. We'll see...

Anyone else been out for this run?

[Button Nubbs]

1000' downstream from the reiter ponds outlet to 1500' up stream from the reiter ponds outlet is CLOSED WATERS right now. i have been out, but wont be back...

[Heartsblood]

Aww c'mon. What gives? I wanna hear the story...?

[jackelope]

I live 8 miles from the river. What would you like to know? I don't know anything about fishing at the Reiter junglezoo though.

[jackelope]

oh p.s. there's a reason they call it fishing and not catching...you will learn that fishing the big nates this time of year on the Sky.

[Heartsblood]

I live 8 miles from the river. What would you like to know? I don't know anything about fishing at the Reiter junglezoo though.

oh p.s. there's a reason they call it fishing and not catching...you will learn that fishing the big nates this time of year on the Sky.

"the big nates"?

Yeah I tried a bit last year at the reiterfest and it was definitely not "catching".

No I think I'll do some mapsterbating and maybe drive around tomorrow and see if I can get myself a game plan.

It's funny. When you asked what I want to know, I can't really come up with a question. I think I have adequate gear. I think I have the wherewithall to find some spots. I guess I just want to not feel like such a noob....

Plus, I love hear peoples stories, especially about areas I actually know about.

I'm not as sure about my presentation all the way from my mainline on down. I suppose that would be a question. What do I tie to my mainline and on out? I think I have the right idea for my leaders - I'm thinkin' about 2-2 1/2 feet with a corkie and some yarn and some scent. Am I in the ballpark? Plus, what goes in between my leader and my mainline? I hate being a rookie...

[WSU]

PM sent with directions and good beginner info.

[Button Nubbs]

With the water as high as it is concentrate on inside corners in the softer water. You won't need to cast a mile, you'll be suprised how close to the bank they will come.get yourself some floats and jigs/eggs/shrimp and fish tight to the bank. Make sure your not dragging your jigs, just above the bottom bouncing off their noses.

[Wingin it]

It will be totally blown out Monday with the hot weather over the weekend. Better plan on plunking in the trees and weeds if you go.

[Button Nubbs]

caught alot of fish "bass fishin" for steelhead

[Heartsblood]

It will be totally blown out Monday with the hot weather over the weekend. Better plan on plunking in the trees and weeds if you go.

So growing up surfing in socal, "blown out" means that the wind has come up and made the waves unsurfable - too choppy to have any good shape.

What does "blown out" mean in context to hot weather and (river?) fishing?

[Button Nubbs]

Hot weather melts snow melted snow raises and muddies the river making it harder to fish and sometimes unfishable.

[Wingin it]

Button Nubbs is correct. With the huge snow pack we have this year coupled with a cooler than normal spring, matched with 75-80 degree weather all adds up to unfishable water. My guess would be the middle to the end of next week before it drops back into shape.

[Heartsblood]

Thanks for the clarification. I was only thinking monday because:
A) I have the day off
B) Less people (?)

Hmmm. What to do. What to do.

[Goldeneye]

What to do?  If your planning on steelheading soon, I would suggest you pre-tie some leaders for when the water is right.  If you drift fish, plan on losing gear in the process.

[chongo469]

Yeah  , the river will probably be out of shape by monday and wont be back in shape for a week or so if we dont get a lot of rain..............River fishing for salmon or steelhead can be frustrating to the non experienced but the best way to learn is to go out and do it and start by a better known area so you can watch how people are doing it and what they are using.....If you are drifting( casting slightly upstream and letting it slowly drift with current ) then you need to use enough weight to bounce bottom every 3-4 seconds or so...If you are not ticking bottom every so often , your presentation is not where the fish are at...YOU WILL lose gear so expect to buy some gear and lose it.....Plunking ( spin and glow and bait , weighted down with enough to keep it in place on the bottom of the river) is a lot like lake fishing but you are using 2-6 0z of lead to keep your presentation in 1 place.......Good luck and no matter what, be prepared to lose some gear and be frustrated at first but once you get the hang of it , you will have another addiction to feed.......

[Heartsblood]

Thanks everyone for all the help. In a way I kinda feel like I have so many options that it can be a bit much to take in all at once. But, I WILL NOT BE DISCOURAGED (today  )!

Well, I'm off to buy some gear and do some scouting. I will have my license and gear in case it becomes apparent that I should be fishing rather than driving around.

Thanks again all. And, if any of y'all are thinking about heading out to do some bank fishing sometime and don't mind a noob tagging along who asks alot of questions, please, let me know and we'll meet up.

[WSU]

Go to the first place I told you, and do be afraid to fish only a couple feet past the bushes.  Also, bring waders.  There WILL be fish there to be caught.

[Ripper]

you've already gotten a lot of new info so I won't add anymore to confuse you even further. The only thing I'll say is yes there are a lot of options out there. Pick one technique at a time and try to master that instead of trying to half ass a lot of different things. I think you'll be more successful that way. Good luck

[Heartsblood]

Good advice. It looks like I'm settling on float fishing for starters, while I try to learn and understand river conditions and which species are fishable at what times etc. I may do a bit of drift fishing as it seems appropriate. Yesterday I went and scouted several of the spots folks have mentioned to me and located most of 'em. The river was high. I did see people fishing but no fish caught where I was.

I'm pretty determined to understand what's going on in that river. And on down into the Snohomish as well. Looks like the promise of a fun summer, fall and onward.

[Wingin it]

Just keep in mind that patience is key. It will take some time to figure things out. Pay attention to guys that are having success and try to see what they may be doing different. Have fun with it and one of these days it will happen for you.

[Button Nubbs]

pay attention to EXACTLY what successful fisherman around you are using/doing. Sometimes the smallest detail can make the biggest difference.

[Swannytheswan]

WSU can you send me that same noob PM not to threadjack but I am from TN and used to bass fishing but I live right next to the tolt and snoqualmie and I wanna get in on these steelhead too but I don't know much about it (studying as I type this)