Hello. I'm new to this site. I have lived in Oregon my whole life but have never fished for Steelhead.(I'm hanging my head in shame) I want to start fishing for them but I need some help and guidance. I ordered a couple of you jigs and have learned how to tie the eggloop hook. Now I need to find out where to go. I live in Eugene and would like to find someplace close to home to start with. I have heard of a "pressure hole" up by Leaburg dam, but don't have a clue where or what that would be. Oh GREAT Poobah please enlighten me!!

Welcome to the website and forum! You are getting into a great time of year to pursue steelhead. Winter is almost here and you will have access to the Siuslaw river not to far out of Eugene as well as the Umpqua and a few others. The McKenzie is a great place to try right now and pretty easy to find. Drive past the hatchery and park down the road a ways. Walk down to the river and explore up and down the river, there is good steelhead water in a few spots down there. Good luck!

So go across the dam and drive down river a ways? What works the best, bobber and eggs, drifting, bobber and jig?

I would try bobber and eggs, and bobber and jigs. Both should be working well up there right now.

all i have to say to new fisherman, is be patient. they say that you will catch one salmon or steelhead for every 24 hours of fishing time. that's probably true for new fisherman and people who don't fish alot. but stick with it,practice and get confident with your techniques, and that number will skyrocket. guarantied!!!! i live in medford,so i can't help with the rivers up there. good luck

Good information Dew! The more you fish for them the better you get at identifying good holding water. Once you hook a steelhead remember where you were and what the water level was at. Most likely you will hook more fish in that exact spot in the future!

Take your time and enjoy. Read the water and you will be able to tell where the fish are. It takes time to improve your skills. Listen, Watch and learn...

H

Yea listen to these guys! Especially hambone and chad!!! They are GURUS!!!

I'm getting excited to go out. I haven't had time this week, have a daughter that plays sports. Right now I am just getting everything ready. I tied some egg loop hooks and bobber stops. Bought some drifting and float rigging. Now I am trying to find some decent eggs. Most of the places I have checked have nasty looking eggs. I emailed a guy on another site that might have some. I have to call him. Anybody have any suggestions for finding some around the Eugene- Springfield area?
By the way, This site is GREAT. One of the reasons I have never Steelhead fished before is because nobody I knew fished for them, so I didn't have a clue. With this site, I get all sorts of help and guidance. Thank you guys!

That's why we put all of this info together! I would go to one of our sponsors above "Oregon Rod Reel & Takcle", tell them steelhead stalkers sent you and he will hook you up with the best roe you can buy without curing it yourself! Its the only stuff I would fish personally other than my own cured up eggs! The tackle shop is in Eugene too. Good luck out there.

.Went to "Oregon Rod Reel & Tackle" yesterday and picked up some roe, weights, and an extra bobber. Talked to the owner, a real nice and knowledgeable guy. Great selection of fishing tackle and bait. Even had a big selection of Steelhead Stalkers jigs. If your going there, head out Coburg Rd. past Costco and Shopko towards Armitage Park. It's on the right just before Game Farm Rd. connects to Coburg Rd. It used to be an antique shop. Now all I need is time to go out.

sounds like you have a pretty busy life. i guess all you can do is MAKE TIME FOR STEELHEADING!!! set a day, let everyone know you'll be gone so they can cover for your absence, then go!!! you cant hook 'em if you're not on the river!!!