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Author Topic: Winter Steelhead  (Read 5938 times)

Offline Wolfdog2314

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Winter Steelhead
« on: December 28, 2018, 03:17:29 PM »
Anyone out fishing for em?

I haven’t fished for anything in general in years. A buddy took me out the other day and taught me a float and jig set up. No bites.

Super new to steelhead fishing, if any one has some tips, tricks, pictures, or reports post em up!


Offline huntnphool

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #1 on: December 28, 2018, 03:24:48 PM »
Anyone out fishing for em?

I haven’t fished for anything in general in years. A buddy took me out the other day and taught me a float and jig set up. No bites.

Super new to steelhead fishing, if any one has some tips, tricks, pictures, or reports post em up!

 Where did you go?

 I pity you if you ever catch one.
The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first!

Offline SkookumHntr

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2018, 03:26:08 PM »
If your new to steelheading don't overlook casting spinners, They always work! winters, summers it don't matter, if you find a biter he will crush a spinner, and cover a lot of water! #4 Blue body silver blade bluefox is a winner! Good luck!
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Offline Wolfdog2314

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #3 on: December 28, 2018, 03:48:59 PM »
Anyone out fishing for em?

I haven’t fished for anything in general in years. A buddy took me out the other day and taught me a float and jig set up. No bites.

Super new to steelhead fishing, if any one has some tips, tricks, pictures, or reports post em up!

 Where did you go?

 I pity you if you ever catch one.


SW wa,  A buddy of mine has riverfront property on a local river. . I live 10 mins from the N fork of the Lewis that I’ll start on too. Along with the E fork

I hear a guy can get pretty “hooked” on it when they start catching. I’m gonna go just about every day I’m not duck hunting.
« Last Edit: January 04, 2019, 01:10:44 PM by Wolfdog2314 »

Offline Wolfdog2314

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #4 on: December 28, 2018, 03:50:26 PM »
If your new to steelheading don't overlook casting spinners, They always work! winters, summers it don't matter, if you find a biter he will crush a spinner, and cover a lot of water! #4 Blue body silver blade bluefox is a winner! Good luck!

I found a great spot I’d like to throw spinners in. My pole is set up with braid line. So what I think a lot of guys do is lug two setups around to be able to switch it up without having to re rig everything or use the wrong line??

Offline BLR 243

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #5 on: December 28, 2018, 04:44:58 PM »
what are steelhead ?

Offline Boss .300 winmag

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #6 on: December 28, 2018, 04:51:09 PM »
"Just because I like granola, and I have stretched my arms around a few trees, doesn't mean I'm a tree hugger!
Hi I'm 8156, our leader is Bearpaw.
YOU CANNOT REASON WITH A TIGER WHEN YOUR HEAD IS IN ITS MOUTH! Winston Churchill

Keep Calm And Duc/Ski Doo On!

Offline huntnphool

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #7 on: December 28, 2018, 04:54:23 PM »
what are steelhead ?

 Along the same lines as bigfoot, chupacabra, talking M&M's and Santa to Wolfdog right now. :chuckle:

The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first!

Offline Wolfdog2314

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #8 on: December 28, 2018, 05:31:29 PM »
Yah I’m not even so sure these things even exist yet  :dunno:

Offline tlbradford

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #9 on: December 28, 2018, 05:37:38 PM »
Anyone out fishing for em?

I haven’t fished for anything in general in years. A buddy took me out the other day and taught me a float and jig set up. No bites.

Super new to steelhead fishing, if any one has some tips, tricks, pictures, or reports post em up!

The trick is to get something down near the bottom, but don't get hung up.  Personally I never used spinners for winter steelhead.  In an effort to get down near the bottom I used weight and spin-n-glows.  All time best bait is fresh egg clusters.  If I am fishing small enough water I will run plugs into every small hole I can reach and move through the system quickly.
Dreams are forever on the mind, realization in the hands.

Offline castie2504

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #10 on: December 28, 2018, 05:48:12 PM »
Gotta be willing to put in the time and cover a lot of water. Best of luck, I’ve given up steelhead fishing in recent years and started looking for big foot. Better chance at finding him than a metal head I hear!

 :chuckle:
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Offline Wolfdog2314

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #11 on: December 28, 2018, 07:03:29 PM »
Haha  well thanks for all the encouraging words  :bash:

No, but thank you. I understand this will take a bunch of patience and time on the water. What intrigues me is the idea of working a lot of water and hiking back in to spots that are (hopefully) untouched by the majority of people. Navigating private property will be a pain I can see.

All advice taken, thanks!

Offline Rimrock hunter

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #12 on: December 28, 2018, 07:12:53 PM »
Not to jack the thread, but has anybody fished  the Humptulips recently for steelhead?

Offline fishnfur

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #13 on: December 28, 2018, 07:33:28 PM »
I've never fished the Coweeman, but there are better rivers around for sure (IMO).  WDFW quit stocking hatchery fish on the Coweeman about 5 or so years ago, so it is essentially a run of wild stock and probably a few leftover hatchery fish, plus strays from the Cowlitz.  That riverbed was destroyed by splash dams back in the logging heydays - there's not a lot of gravels or structure for spawning habitat and fish production.

If you want to catch hatchery steelhead, I'd focus on the Cowlitz with eggs under a spin-n-glo or similar.  Spoons and spinners are nice if you get tired of loosing gear. Check out http://www.steelheadstalkers.com/video_rigs.htm for videos on other rigs. If you want a nice day on a gorgeous river, the Kalama fits the bill nicely - all of 'em can get crowded, as does the Lewis, but it beats sitting on the couch or working in the yard.  Check the creel reports on WDFW website for up to date numbers that may point you to better fishing on other waters. 

Good luck.
“When I die, I want to die like my grandfather who died peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in his car.”  - Will Rogers

Offline castie2504

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #14 on: December 28, 2018, 07:46:54 PM »
Haha  well thanks for all the encouraging words  :bash:

No, but thank you. I understand this will take a bunch of patience and time on the water. What intrigues me is the idea of working a lot of water and hiking back in to spots that are (hopefully) untouched by the majority of people. Navigating private property will be a pain I can see.

All advice taken, thanks!

All kidding aside, it took me years to hook my first steelie as I started at about 12 with minimal guidance. As a young’n I started out by fishing with a 1/2 ounce in line weight to swivel and the. An 18-24” leader with a small corky and a 1/0 hook tipped with a worm. I struggled mightily with this setup because I knew not that the steelhead bite is ever so light. I probably had so many bites that I never set the hook on because of the lack of experience. As I gained experience I learned what a bite on that setup looked, but more importantly felt like so I became a much better steelie angler. This setup worked best for me when the water was slow and deep. I would fish the top of the run or towards the tail out where the current would give the worm some action. Next, I learned to use the bobber and jig tipped with coon shrimp. This was my favorite method for a long time. The float setup was a small weighted slip bobber on main line with a movable bobber stop to the swivel and then 36” leader to a 1/4 or 3/8 ounce marabou jig (pink, black, red or chartreuse) tipped with shrimp. This technique allows you to cover more water quickly and adjust to depth easily. Also I used small spinners when the water was low and warm and targeted the deep, slow moving water or shallow areas with cover. My favorite colors were brass and silver. I have also caught them on eggs an float setup. In my experience steelie stems to be leader shy so I went with lighter gear. Usually 12 or 15 pound braid with 8 pound leader. So finally after a few years of watching me struggle an uncle of mine gave me some basic pointers. A little afterward I finally hooked up! It was an awesome feeling I will never forget.

Every river system is different and has its own method that produces fish so get on the water as much as possible and talk to the locals to see what the prefered tactic is in your area. Also, don’t be afraid to throw something different than everyone else is on the water. I once was at a popular hole in a southeast WA river where there were 5?other fishermen were float and jig fishing. No one had any luck all day. Then I saw an ol’ wise fishermen show up, take a few minutes to see what everyone was doing then tie on a small black wiggle wart in the current anchored by a 3 ounce ball weight. 10 minutes later I was netting his fish.

Best of luck!
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Online BigGoonTuna

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #15 on: December 28, 2018, 08:24:00 PM »
I've never fished the Coweeman, but there are better rivers around for sure (IMO).  WDFW quit stocking hatchery fish on the Coweeman about 5 or so years ago, so it is essentially a run of wild stock and probably a few leftover hatchery fish, plus strays from the Cowlitz. 
not so, it still gets stocked by the state. The damned shame of it is that there was the option to make it or the little green(a river with public access and a good hatchery run) a wild fish sanctuary, and they chose to shut down the green and keep planting the coweeman, which has nearly no access.  I think somebody in the dept has property there...
you can still get gas in heaven, and a drink in kingdom come,
in the meantime, i'll be cleaning my gun

Offline lokidog

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #16 on: December 28, 2018, 08:48:55 PM »
If your new to steelheading don't overlook casting spinners, They always work! winters, summers it don't matter, if you find a biter he will crush a spinner, and cover a lot of water! #4 Blue body silver blade bluefox is a winner! Good luck!

I found a great spot I’d like to throw spinners in. My pole is set up with braid line. So what I think a lot of guys do is lug two setups around to be able to switch it up without having to re rig everything or use the wrong line??

Why change line?  I had a nice pone slam a spinner I tossed through the fish we could see after trying for over an hour to get them to bite anything else. Unfortunately, I lost it.  Here's a tip, if everyone is throwing floats, don't toss a spinner through them, or be careful to time things to not mess everyone up. ;-)

Offline huntnphool

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #17 on: December 28, 2018, 08:49:09 PM »
 The Cowlitz has been screwed with and messed up the last decade or so but still has a decent run of fish, I'd target the Blue Creek area.
The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first!

Offline PolarBear

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #18 on: December 28, 2018, 09:09:12 PM »
I'll be hitting some Grays Harbor rivers starting on the 11th.  Mostly side drifting yarnies and possibly a jig or 2 under a float.


« Last Edit: December 28, 2018, 09:22:48 PM by PolarBear »

Offline HntnFsh

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #19 on: December 29, 2018, 06:58:11 AM »
I've never fished the Coweeman, but there are better rivers around for sure (IMO).  WDFW quit stocking hatchery fish on the Coweeman about 5 or so years ago, so it is essentially a run of wild stock and probably a few leftover hatchery fish, plus strays from the Cowlitz. 
not so, it still gets stocked by the state. The damned shame of it is that there was the option to make it or the little green(a river with public access and a good hatchery run) a wild fish sanctuary, and they chose to shut down the green and keep planting the coweeman, which has nearly no access.  I think somebody in the dept has property there...

Ahh.. the old gene pool debacle! What a joke. And what was the deal, they only needed 1 gene pool river per region and this region got like 3. I think they were all on rivers with hatcheries. Hmmm wonder why!

Offline dc

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #20 on: December 29, 2018, 07:15:32 AM »
Im a sucker for a pink ish jig.  That's a beauty right there.   :tup:

I'll be hitting some Grays Harbor rivers starting on the 11th.  Mostly side drifting yarnies and possibly a jig or 2 under a float.




Offline Blacklab

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #21 on: December 29, 2018, 09:00:11 AM »
I’m gonna wait just a little longer. At least another week or two. Low #s over bonnie now. When those start comming up and consistant is when I’m gettin after them  :twocents: GL All 😉🥃
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Offline Jason

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #22 on: December 29, 2018, 09:27:23 AM »
I’m gonna wait just a little longer. At least another week or two. Low #s over bonnie now. When those start comming up and consistant is when I’m gettin after them  :twocents: GL All 😉🥃
Same here on waiting a little longer. Lately I have been replacing jigs that didn’t make it home last year and I’m also trying different slip weight setups for running my yarn balls and corkies.

Offline Wolfdog2314

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #23 on: January 02, 2019, 02:15:36 PM »
GOT ONE! It was wild and had to go back. 12-14 pounder. That was a blast!

Offline Skyvalhunter

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #24 on: January 02, 2019, 02:31:26 PM »
Got pics?
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Offline tlbradford

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #25 on: January 02, 2019, 02:32:59 PM »
GOT ONE! It was wild and had to go back. 12-14 pounder. That was a blast!

 :tup:
Dreams are forever on the mind, realization in the hands.

Offline Wolfdog2314

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #26 on: January 02, 2019, 04:47:34 PM »



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline boneaddict

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #27 on: January 02, 2019, 04:56:19 PM »
 :tup:

Offline Skyvalhunter

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #28 on: January 02, 2019, 05:36:51 PM »
That's a beautiful fish thanks for posting
The only man who never makes a mistake, is the man who never does anything!!
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Offline jstone

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #29 on: January 02, 2019, 05:41:12 PM »
What’s it usually cost for a guide

Offline huntnphool

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #30 on: January 02, 2019, 11:52:44 PM »
Atta kid, welcome to the addiction. :chuckle:
The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first!

Offline HntnFsh

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #31 on: January 03, 2019, 12:15:13 PM »
What’s it usually cost for a guide

$175- $225

Offline Seahawk12

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #32 on: January 03, 2019, 01:03:44 PM »
Tag
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Offline Wolfdog2314

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #33 on: January 03, 2019, 02:26:40 PM »
Thanks all, my brother caught two today. Another wild and a hatchery. Score is 2-1. He’s brand new like me!

Offline WAcoueshunter

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #34 on: January 03, 2019, 02:29:35 PM »
Thanks all, my brother caught two today. Another wild and a hatchery. Score is 2-1. He’s brand new like me!

That's fantastic, well done!  Watch out, next thing you know you'll be sneaking out at lunchtime to make a few casts.   :tup:

Offline Wolfdog2314

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Re: Winter Steelhead
« Reply #35 on: January 04, 2019, 12:48:09 PM »
So I’ve been lugging around in my 1600 gram duck hunting waders....

Dropped some coin on some Korkers and Frogg Togg waders today.

Stupid fishing  :bash:

 


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