With it only being just after Christmas I can say that this year will be nothing short of unbelievable! Starting the last week of November I have been hooking Steelies every time on the water and that is a sign! Yes a major sign of what a fantastic season we are gonna be having for sure! Now the fishing hasn’t been red-hot but definitely a strong showing of December fish is an exciting indicator. I have been having a great time floating the local rivers with good friends and most fish have been hooked on bobber and pink worm. Jim told me today they fished a Tillamook trib and went 2 for 3 after a late start. Late start and following 10-12 other boats….They also were getting them on a worm jig variation. Here is a little video clip I put together with a few of the fish we have taken off the Kilchis over the last few seasons.
Have You Purchased Your Skagit Master DVD?
This is an amazing DVD that you need to see. Here is a new Trailer to get you all revved up with the winter steelhead season right on top of us. Seriously if these trailers don’t get you juiced up to get out I don’t know what will…Check it out and get one ordered just in time for Christmas. You won’t be sorry to add this to your library.
Low Water Year? Maybe….
Medium to low water arsenal
As I get prepared for my drift boat winter steelhead season each year. I always scratch around the web for what the weather patterns might be so I can always be prepared for the situation and pick my rivers carefully. I have about 10 rivers that I focus on and some just don’t play when the water is too low to float. Some of these rivers stem from massive drainages that can dirty quickly and take long periods of time to come into shape. While others like the Necanicum have a window of fishing that is very small and sometimes not a viable option in low water years. With that in mind I have found credible information that indicates that this year will be much different then last and we might see a more mild year with lower amounts of rainfall. Although this info is never guaranteed it is helpful to make sure that I’m prepared.
One thing I started using effectively a few years ago is a bobber rod for medium to low water conditions. At first I was a skeptic and looked at this as training wheels and a step backwards in my skill set. Within five casts my mind was changed and chrome was in the boat. It just makes sense for some simple reasons. One you are in the water longer fishing with a good presentation. Two you can effectively cover a sweet drift more thoroughly with a single drift versus multiple casts swinging through it. Thirdly you have way less hang ups and loss of terminal tackle. I used to spend a lot of wasted time re-tying myself and guests during a typical day drift fishing. Now we just fish with an occasional bobber adjustment. Any novice can be coached to be effective in a matter of about 30 minutes and 20 casts.
My biggest problem was leaving behind the old school methods of drifting and relying solely on a jig. So I had to mix it up a bit. I know use the what has come to be a standard pink worm as well as a spinner under a float. If you like casting spoons you will like this mix of a #3 hammered blade and size 1 or 2 hook fished under a bobber. As you can see its a simple rig that is very effective in water that moves a little faster then worm or jig water. Run a few split shot up the leader to get it down in the zone.
