I want to do some steelhead fishing

[Stickerbush]

So Ive never really fished for them before but I just moved back to the seattle area and am looking to do some steelhead fishing. Probably going to try on the Skykomish near Sultan. Any tips? I have a spinning rod and have the gear to try a couple techniques. A little confused on the regs though doesnt seem to specifically list steelhead as open, any advise would be great, thanks!

[h20hunter]

Head up to c-post!


Kidding...ignore that.

This months copy of Northwest Sportsman has some good steelheading info. I would suggest Reiter simply because there are fish there. It is combat fishing but if you have some waders, a thermos of coffee, and get there before the crowds you can get some fishing in. It is also mainly a float and jig/worm fishery...pretty basic.

[Stickerbush]

So bait ok, daily limit 2? No wild obviously

[h20hunter]

Gonna have to check the regs for baiting, barb/barbless type restrictions. I myself am not much of a steelheader, just an avid reader and know a bit about that area.

Wherever you end up make sure you have read the regs and understand the rules. If the fish are there so are other fisherman and so are the gamies. The will not take it easy on you.

[Ripper]

The Cracker Bar right there at Sultan is a good spot. Bring some floats and jigs, corkies and yarn, shrimp. Dress warm and have fun. I know there are fish at Rieter, but hate fishing there.

[Stickerbush]

so steelhead is considered "all other trout" in the regs I assume?

[BOWHUNTER45]

YEAH ME TOO !! But some dumba$$ burn down our plunkin shack !!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR....Dang humpy fishermen anyway 

[D-Rock425]

C-post

[Stickerbush]

what the heck is c post?

[h20hunter]

Cpost is a running gag...ignore it.

[Stickerbush]

Went out with a buddy this morning on the Sky! We are both pretty new to it but we started getting an idea of how it works. I was using a jig and float technique and adjusting my leader to various depths, my buddy was drift fishing with yarn and corgy he was using his grandpas gear and quite a bit of trouble figuring out a baitcasting reel I think he will be switching to a spinning rod for starters.

We both had some hits (at least we think we did) but couldnt set the hook in time and my friend needs to practise his knots all in all it was fun talked to some other fishermen, everyone was pretty respectful and helpful. Probably going to bring the fly rod next time as well as a spinning rod, I like switching it up from time to time 

[h20hunter]

For a newbie it sounds like you had a nice trip. I'll look forward to seeing you hoist some chrome.

[Stickerbush]

not many people were catchin fish, except in boats. Would really like to try a boat, maybe I'll hop in somebodys boat at the launch   

[Hunting7mm]

Steelhead is heating up over here on the wet side.  My buddy is a guide and his clients hooked thirteen the other day!!

[trippledigitss]

Head up to c-post!


Kidding...ignore that.

This months copy of Northwest Sportsman has some good steelheading info. I would suggest Reiter simply because there are fish there. It is combat fishing but if you have some waders, a thermos of coffee, and get there before the crowds you can get some fishing in. It is also mainly a float and jig/worm fishery...pretty basic.

Yeah it IS combat fishing for sure. And just like Ripper said - I HATE it there. You are 5-10yds apart at most and if you even so much as turn your back and step away from your spot for more than 2min, to re-tie, pee, what have you, someone will jump right in and squeeze you - actually even if you dont even move! I freaking hate it! 

That being said, I went up there this morning with a couple of buddies and got there @ 0600. Already 20 guys there fishing with glo sticks on floats. I couldnt see crap, nothing, but I was drifting a float and felt a good bump but figured I was crossed or something. SO I held up to wait for light. Less than 5min later, 2 guys down (about 10yds) this guy hooks one right in front of me. Oh I was not real happy. I turn my back for 30secs and another dude squeezes in. Kinda pissed I moved upstream just about 1st light. Fished there for about 30min, snagged, broke off - turned to re-tie, guess what, some guy snuggles up right freaking next to me. I know thats the way it is up there - but I freaking hate it. So I move up above everyone, at least 50yds. 2nd cast, fish on! I'm all happy thinking I finally got my 1st steelie! Fight & get it in, CHUM...wah wah wahhhh.... Keep fishing, less than 5-6min later, bobber down, fish on, almost the exact same place so I'm thinking I got that damn chum again! But nope, it was a nice little 22" hat hen, (maybe summer run  ) blush on the cheeks and down the sides. Long story, longer, finally after about 4yrs of trying and untold $$$ (and a brand new fetha styx rod) I FINALLY got my 1st steelhead!  I have lost several and landed a few handoffs too, but never got one up there or on my own. Damn it felt good! Gonna post pics on a new thread later!

[Stickerbush]

thats awesome, congrats on a first combat steely! I checked out that spot and it was pretty crowded but not too bad, although it was mid day so not as busy. Tryin to figure out where to go next time

[trippledigitss]

Thanks man. That cracker bar is a good spot, on the highway side just below the mouth of the Sultan. I hooked a nice one there a couple years ago on my 1st cast with a new rvrfshr spoon. It was running back & forth and shot across the river spooling me out. I was very "new" and had a whole lot of drag on and it was still pulling it. So I decided to put my thumb on the spool.....       Dont need to tell you how that turned out since this one was my "first"! 

[Stickerbush]

UPDATE, fished again this morning. Lets just say I was at the populated spots... fish were bieng caught, just not by me  jig/bobber as well as drift fishing with corkies. Water was low, clear and really cold. Does anyone carry a thermometer with them fishing or check temps beforehand? I think it definately changes the way to fish. Gotta grab some more gear, any reccomendations on floats, jigs or other misc steelhead gear?

[trippledigitss]

UPDATE, fished again this morning. Lets just say I was at the populated spots... fish were bieng caught, just not by me  jig/bobber as well as drift fishing with corkies. Water was low, clear and really cold. Does anyone carry a thermometer with them fishing or check temps beforehand? I think it definately changes the way to fish. Gotta grab some more gear, any reccomendations on floats, jigs or other misc steelhead gear?

I have a digital stream thermometer in my tackle bag and I used to check temps with it all the time and adjust my strategy based on info from Bill Herzog's Drift Fishing & Spoon Fishing for Steelhead books. But I never do it anymore and cant even remember what he says to do at certain temps.

[allen]

I dunno about temps.  I used to do it all the time & kept a log.  Didn't seem to matter that much.  Caught them ( & was skunked) in all temp ranges.  Still fish the same way, just the old fashioned pulling plugs & drifting corkies & yarn with or without bait.

Allen

[trippledigitss]

I dunno about temps.  I used to do it all the time & kept a log.  Didn't seem to matter that much.  Caught them ( & was skunked) in all temp ranges.  Still fish the same way, just the old fashioned pulling plugs & drifting corkies & yarn with or without bait.

Allen

[Rickitt]

SOO just moved up here from TX and fished reiter a hand full of times with no luck! Fished the famous Reiter battleground today and pulled out 2 chum and a couple summer runs but no steel daddy yet! I was happy  lol..I was wondering if there are any other LESS crowded spots in that area? With that said YES i got the steelhead fever and wont stop lol

[trippledigitss]

SOO just moved up here from TX and fished reiter a hand full of times with no luck! Fished the famous Reiter battleground today and pulled out 2 chum and a couple summer runs but no steel daddy yet! I was happy  lol..I was wondering if there are any other LESS crowded spots in that area? With that said YES i got the steelhead fever and wont stop lol

So was it pretty busy up there today? (as usual)  I was going to head there this morning but when my alarm went I off I changed my mind! Did you see many other fish caught? How did the water look, higher & colored up? Thanks for any info.

You can fish down at the cracker bar, on the Sky just below the mouth of the Sultan. You pass it on the way to reiter, right at that bridge  over the Sultan river and next to the RR bridge - you see the parking lot on the left if you are heading east. A lot less people but I dont know if its better than Reiter. The far side across from the road is shallow and gradually gets deeper. The road side has big rocks and a deep slot, I like there better, especially for coho. That side you have to cross over private property - unless you walk along the river from the parking/launch area - and they want you to pay a buck into the little box but $1 is not a big deal. Unless you have a boat, I dont know of too many bank areas where its not crowded and good fishing - and if they do exist I dont think many people will tell us about them!   

[trippledigitss]

Oh, or you can fish at the Cable hole which is about a 1/2mi down stream from the hatchery across from the gravel pit. Park at Reiter and walk down the little trail right by the gate. There is less people down there but usually a few guys.

[Rickitt]

Ill have to check that out! Seen maybe 6-7 fish caught all day but spent most the day up the river fishing. I have been to the bridge your taking about but havent been to the spot down river yet, have to hit that tomorrow.

Alot of people there? hahaha..Sorry not laughing at you lol It was PACKED!!!! I hate that place but I keep going back because i have that "feeling" that my big one is right behind this one certain rock. I know, i know its prolly never gonna happen but he'll be there tomorrow lol

[Rickitt]

Whats the deal with silvers? or summer run silvers? Caught 2 today and when i pulled um in the guy next to me said i couldnt keep them. Is that true? They were both missing the back fin and looked very healthy.

Sorry for all the question but im pretty dumb when it comes to fishing in the NW lol

[trippledigitss]

Ill have to check that out! Seen maybe 6-7 fish caught all day but spent most the day up the river fishing. I have been to the bridge your taking about but havent been to the spot down river yet, have to hit that tomorrow.

Alot of people there? hahaha..Sorry not laughing at you lol It was PACKED!!!! I hate that place but I keep going back because i have that "feeling" that my big one is right behind this one certain rock. I know, i know its prolly never gonna happen but he'll be there tomorrow lol

Yeah, packed, thats Reiter Ponds alright. You may have better luck on a weekday but still see 10+ people up there. And someone will come on here and prove me wrong but I dont think there any "big" ones up there, all 6-8# cookie cutters and maybe a 10-12# er now & then. AS far as silvers, are you certain they were coho? I didnt think there were any up there this late at all, and there's no way they are left over from aug-sept-oct. I dont think so at least. If so it new to me, maybe someone else knows more. I think its even pretty late for chum and darn late for a king too, but I've never seen a king up that far either.