This issue of "Tips" will focus on the Zen part of steelheading, as well as ways to ensure robust rivers for our kids and for their own kids as well.
The Zen is an ancient Chinese practice of attaining enlightenment. It is an integral part of Buddhism, and has been very popular in western culture. When one is "Zen", one is at total peace, total enlightenment. Buddhism has deep respect for nature, and that makes moments on the river, "zen-like", and nourishing to one's soul.
Fishing the gin clear mountain streams that I do, it is easy to see and even hear the the quietness. The only sounds, the leaves rustling in the breeze, the water rushing downstream, over moss covered rocks and gravelly sand bars, to the final stop, the ocean. The only sights, the conifer evergreen trees and the sky gray, set the scene like some wonderful nature couch, where we watch our favorite shows.
The ambiance tends to be soothing, and therapeutic. It is my favorite thing to do, hike the Siletz River Gorge with my dogs, in search of chrome.
As we make plans to fish, there are some measures that can enhance the steelhead experience, and make the trip not just memorable, but altogether unforgettable. It took me my whole life to find this "steelie wisdom", but I will share it with you when you click the "Pay Now" link. Thanks!
Daylight breaks on the lower Alsea River as the moon sets.
Okay, just kidding. Put your credit card away.
STEELHEAD TIP #1: Get ALL gear ready the night before. You don't wrap the kids' gifts on Christmas morning, do ya? Get all your tackle, gear, food & water, survival pack, rainwear, THE NET!, gloves, rubber boots, extra socks, and especially your License & Tag. I even bring an extra pen for the tag.
Tip #2: Gas up the rig early too(the night before). Don't spend the whole morning getting to the river. Get there and cast!
Tip #3: If you fish with the kids, the wife, or the dogs; then preparation for that can make the day enjoyable for the whole crew. The kids need snacks, drinks, and warmth. Always have gloves and mittens. Handwarmers inside gloves and boots do wonders. If you are not used to that, ask mom! She will know where all that stuff is, and exactly what they need.
When you bring the wife, remember that we are seeking "Zen", and some ways to make that happen are: Portable propane heaters. These little space heaters do miracles for the women who are always cold. That's not a bad thing, by the way!
One simple rule for dogs: Bring a 1 Gallon Zip-loc full of dog food. You brought your lunch. Bring the dog's their lunch too.
Tip #4: PRE TIE LEADERS! I tie mine beforehand. To tie on the river, is wasting time that should be spent casting. Or untangling the kids' lines. Pre tie leaders and store them efficiently. I store mine on homemade "rollers" made from cardboard paper towel rollers.
Homemade leader tote. Notice the "8" for 8 pound test.
Tip #5: Be resourceful, like the leader tote. Store gear in re-used containers and re-used packaging. Gamakatsu are my hook of choice. The packaging that these come in, whether quantity 5 or 500, can be used to store lures, lead, yarn, etc...
Tip #6: Sometimes people are rude and sometimes they are rude. In these cases, move on. Better to find the quiet water, instead of arguing and wasting fishing daylight. Find the quiet spots, fish are there too!
Tip#7: Preparation makes the day less stressful. But so does expectation. Have high gratitude and low expectations. Don't be discouraged if the fishing is slow or the rain is hard. Enjoy whatever it is and be grateful!
Moose, my Chocolate Lab that will NOT get his feet wet. Photo from Siletz River Gorge.
Tip #8: Litterbugs. Of all my tips, this is the most important. I will teach you everything I know about these awesome fish and the gorgeous places they haunt, but not if you litter. Thank-you for not littering!
Links: SOLVE: The clean-up Oregon specialists.
Focus The Nation , creating civic minded youth in Oregon as well as everywhere.
Tip #9: Photos. Of fish, only if you have time. That means preparation is key. Have pliers always ready, and the same for the camera. The window of time for photographing a fish, is less than 10 seconds. If you cannot do it efficiently, with NO stress upon the fish, then do not do it. The experience should be far more gratifying than a photo. But take photos of everything else. The trees and leaves. The rocks. The kids...
Tip #10: Enjoy yourself. Yes, steelhead is a lot of work, but if you prepare and observe, you will learn. Steelhead are called "the fish of a thousand casts", which means it is not like sitting at a hatchery stocker pond. Steelhead fishing takes patience, and then more patience. Live in the moment, and enjoy the sounds of a river, as it meanders downstream, in a repeated cycle of life. Love that life!
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