10 Tips For A Winter Steelheader

The holidays are here. And while we wish the days pass quickly bye, we can avoid relatives and their homemade whatevers by preparing the Steelhead Gear.

As winter brings fish into the clear mountain streams of western Oregon, the days are short and the nights cold. Getting ready to catch fish is more than just loading the tackle into the truck...

These tips are meant to enhance the trip, catch more fish, and make the entire process enjoyable for all. Especially the kids.

1:   New Line.
      Last year's line is last year's line. Monofilament gets brittle, do not lose fish because your 10 
      Pound Test is not 10 anymore...

2:   Tackle.
      Some gear has to be re-supplied. Terminal Tackle like hooks, snap-swivels, and sinkers- have
      to be restocked. On the river without certain gear will cost time & fish!

3:   Gloves, Mittens, Beanies, Hand-Warmers...keep the kids warm!

4:   The Net. Don't forget it. Matter of fact...put it in the rig right now.

5:   Cooler. Plenty of electrolyte drinks and snacks for the kids. Pretzels and Grandma's Tuna Salad
      Sandwiches...

6:   1 Gallon size Ziploc Bags. For fish fillets, fresh roe, found rocks, Chanterelles, and whatever
      else we might find...

7:   Survival Ziploc. In it is a First Aid Kit, Compass, Survival Blanket, and T.P.- obviously...

8:   Things to not Forget:  Dog Food, Fillet Knife, Hook Sharpener, License & Tag, 2 Ball Pt. Pens.
      Oh yeah...the Thermos!

9:   Rain Gear. This can be more than just pants and coats. In cold and wet winters here, I ziplock
      tackle(to keep unused stuff dry), I grocery bag(plastic) the kid's feet- a plastic layer between
      socks inside rubber boots does wonders...

10: Teach. Teach the kids about knot tying. And how to "read water", the flow. Teach the children
      the virtues of NOT littering. Teach them how to cast when underneath a tree, and how to rig a
      'Bobber & Jig'. Teach our kids to love nature, and all her critters. And most of all, show them the
      joys of fishing!

The author, with a dandy Alsea River Coho Salmon, released.

 

Moonset at daybreak on the Alsea.

 

 

Roe rigged on a 1/0 hook w/ Yarn & Lil' Corky.

 

Moose, on the Upper Siletz River, Western Oregon Coastal Mountains

 

Thank-You for reading this, and for not littering.