But when the sun is disappearing behind conifer covered canyon walls, and your monofilament line is abuzz with the tension of a pulsing, darting, exploding airborn steelhead, preparation is out the window.
Hang on, it is gonna be one heck of a ride.
These are the moments that bring hoods off heads in pouring rains. Nine foot pole bent in half, beating as fast as the heart. The super-find, super-bargain, clearance and I got a coupon too, Diawa baitcaster. Spooled with ten pound monofilament that at this very second, is screaming off the spool.
Salmon fishing on the Alsea,with the standard Oregon Rain.
These fish will test line, reel, drag, and skill. Not to mention your knot tying savvy and hook sharpening attention. For today's tips, we are going to focus on how to handle fish on a line. In my opinion, this category falls into two really: One, fish. And two, really big fish! I will address the "cookie cutter" steelhead, and then(when I think you are ready), big steelhead.
Most of the steelhead we are going to catch will be between 6 and 12 pounds. These almost 3 year old fish have been at sea for 2 years, and are returning to spawn in the inland freshwater streams of the Pacific Northwest's coastal mountains. They are smart and acrobatic, demanding honest tactics and respect. There is a lot to be said of the virtues of "clean" fishing. Respect yourself, and do not litter. If you do smoke, putt butts in a zip-lock bag.
Tip #1: Do Not Be Fooled By The Relative "Small" Size
These fish will snap your line before you can say "Fish on!", so don't be afraid to set your drag on the easier side of tension. Setting drag for these fish means you should be able to pull line off the reel with relative ease.
The pole you fish with determines much in the way of drag, as a lighter and more limber pole will absorb more- meaning a slightly higher drag strength. But not much, and as I said: Best to go less in the way of drag.
Of course, too little drag and your hookset will suffer. So find that "perfect" balance.
Which brings us to the moment. This fish is ripping line, and the tension is, let's just say, alarming. I mean, WE HAVE TEN POUND TEST!
Do not be shy if you think lessening the drag may avoid line test failure and/or just plain old steelhead aggression. The key here is to adjust and balance this monster.
Tip #2: Don't panic on a "longish" run.
On occasion, fish will also panic or use the waterflow, and dart down river. Or even upriver. You just never know, but staying calm is paramount to success. Following the fish is, of course, the best strategy, but when you can't, turning the pole left or right can help. A bit more than normal tactics are employed in this spot, as the "pump and reel" is fairly constant, once you get the fish turned back to you...Remember. DON"T PANIC!
Sometimes, whether on the riverbank or in a boat, obstacles may be in the path of your pursuit of a fish. Take safety as the utmost precaution, maintain a tightline, and have good luck!
Tip #3: What To Do When Steelhead Leap:
This is entirely the best. The twisting, torso-bending, air-defying, leap towards the sky. It brings an unexpository definition. I cannot describe it. It is truly beautiful.
It can also be a line snapping, fish losing, ordeal. As the force of the steelhead's raw power collides with the oxygen air, and at that fish-head-shaking-violently moment, rising to the pinnacle of the leap from water, the tensile strength just gives away. You know it before the straightness returns to the fishing pole. It is not a good feeling. The only advice I have here is this:
Keep a tight line but give a little, and trying to feel the action will help. And remember this part, when the fish is headed back into the stream, dip the pole as the fish hits the water. This will lessen the impact.
Tip #4: How To Land A Fish:
There are always going to be varying conditions in this or even, these scenarios. So, for landing a fish, let's look at different situations.
I will never forget this, for a number of reasons. Watching that huge fish roll away upstream, just feet from my eyes. was not the result I had imagined, or even been used to. As the big buck darted out of sight, I glanced back at my father, who had the fairly large 1/0 hook buried in his palm, and was presently digging afore-mentioned hook from said palm, and as my dad turned around, his back to me, he mumbled..."I haven't lost a fish in years."
But this fiasco was his fault. He panicked, and when this huge fish ran underneath the 30 year old, aluminum driftboat, the old man wanted to change positions in the boat. This meant landing this fish from the upstream side, which is hardly correct. I never miss with the net, but this huge fish did some crazy, acrobatic turn and bounced that hook from his jaw, and into my father's waiting hand. The tension on the pole, helped to bury it deep in human flesh.
LAND FISH FROM THE DOWNSTREAM SIDE. ENOUGH SAID.
But what about when you are in a boat by yourself. Oh yeah, now the fun begins...
Generally, my leader is of the 8 pound variety.
So here we are, mid-stream with the anchor out. Suspended in the breeze, water rustling the tips of the wooden oars. And a once cartwheeling steelhead is now just ten yards from the boat. In the clear surface water, you see the absence of the Adipose Fin, a tell-tale mark of the keeper steelie. The net is ready on the front seat, and you glance at it to just make sure.
At this point, you want to be sure to not make sudden or loud movements, and be extra careful not to rush things along.
To land this fish, when the chrome sides steelhead is at boatside, loosen your drag slightly, to avoid any mishaps, and then use thumb-force as your drag. Gently reaching the water with the net in your "off" hand, lead the fish to it, and in one motion lift the net around your fish and into the boat. Do this by lifting straight up with the net, as the weight of the fish will fill the net. Use the boat as leverage, to angle the net at an angle that is comfortable.
On the bank, the only difference is that when landing a fish without a net, try to identify your fish before attempting to drag onto a sandy or gravelly riverbank. In general, take your time, as a tired fish is easier to land.
As a final note, bear in mind how important it is to be able to release any fish at any time. Do not over-fight or tire a native fish, and do everything to remove hooks safely and efficiently. Always have pliers handy(back pocket or lanyard), and get fish back to water promptly. To help the fish, gently cradle and sway body in current, letting the water flow through the gills.
Tip #5: Do not litter. And don't argue with me that your cigarette butts are biodegradable paper.
Thanks...
BIG FISH.
I have been steelhead fishing the streams in my Pacific Northwest rainforests for 35 years. In all those years, some where I landed 200 steelhead in a year...5 of those were over 20 pounds. Five...
A few others were close calls. The one at Buck Creek. He just seemed to "spit" my lure into the crisp mountain air. I gasped as I saw the pinkness of the yarn flutter into the gray sky. It seemed in slow motion, and it seemed wrong. There was too much contrast between the pink and that winter gray. After an eternity, I jolted back to a pulse, and reeled in the fishless hook.
The best advice I can give for humongous, line-stripping, steelhead is Tip # 6:
Take it easy. Honestly, just do things slower.
Tip #7: This tip is a reminder of the virtues of skills such as knot tying. Strong knots are essential to steelhead success, and that statement is magnified exponentially in the wake of a big steelhead. Learn many knots and learn them well. A super helpful site is Grog's Knots, and a smart newcomer to fishing will bookmark a site like Grog's.
Steelhead Fishing Tip #8: Sharp hooks might be the most important aspect of successful steelhead fishing. Sharp hooks are sticky, and penetrate deep into the dense, bony jaw of a fish. The key here is two-fold. One, learn and practice the subtle angles of sharpening a hook. And two, use those skills in the field to maintain hook sharpness. Drift fishing sinkers is bound to scuff up hooks, so be prepared to sharpen hooks often.
Tip #9: Drop the pole tip-top, but just slightly. When a fish is transmitting every second-stopping burst, sometimes, after years of experience, a fisherman can "feel" the fish almost telegraph its next move. When these changes in direction and speed occur, the stress on fishing line can be unbearable. That translates into lost fish, and long days...
A way to offset the powerful fish, is to "give a little", and drop the rod just enough to lessen the burst's effect on tensile strength. Raise the pole top back into the air when the powerful burst is over.
We have reached the homestretch, and your steelhead has made the trip home. A few things to consider at this point:
1) Fillet knife is razor sharp.
2) Seasonings are plentiful at home.
3) Zip-lock fish heads for crab bait.
Tip # 10: Enjoy these moments with your kids. Fillet the fish on cardboard in the garage, pointing out organs and such. Show the kids these steelhead traits, and their virtues. The scales that camouflage, the gills that breathe, etc... ENJOY!
Pointing out hatchery fin clips, learning is cool! Just ask the kids, they like it as much as the river.
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