I fish in the Northwest Region, primarily on the Wilson. I cannot figure out why I am not catching fish. This is the longest dry spell I have ever encountered. Had it not been for a trip to the Cowlitz for Coho I would be totally skunked since last October. I float roe, jigs, and pink worms, in addition to spinners but no success. It almost seems like there is very few fish in the system. Any suggestions or questions that may help me to determine what I am doing wrong? Also, I have always pondered whether the human scent of some people is actually attractive to fish much more than others. My reasoning is based on a friend I fished with years ago. We fished side by side with the same bait and tackle.............he would pull fish out of a hole equally fished as much as myself and others yet, 8 out of 10 times he would be the one with the catch. I am currently using metal head spinners and first bite jigs and Amerman eggs ordered from Clackamas on-line.

You are doing everything right. I would add some pro cure slamola to your egg cure and maybe some borax when they are jarred. You are fishing the right gear and lures except first bite jigs I'm kidding first bite makes very good jigs but since we have has such low water you could benefit from micro jigs. We went out four times earlier this year before hooking a steelhead!! It has been a very poor run here and I would image the Wilson is not having a good run too. When the water gets very low and clear the roe seemed to not work as well but micro jigs were killing them!!

I have wondered about human scent as well, some people seem to catch fish no matter what they do. For the most part I think scent matters with Salmon more than steelhead but adding scents or bait to your jigs can help. Keep working at it as when the fish show up you will be hooking them, its just been a slow start to the season, with this recent rain it should turn on. Let us know if you have any other questions and welcome to the forum!

This sounds to me like your not getting down in the strike zone. Had a old boy one time tell me " If your not snagged up a few times through out the day, then your not fishing deep enough" Also your fishing the Wilson, that is a tricky system to fish. It can run hot then cold in a New York second. Your presentations seem to be of the norm. Maybe try and get down a little bit deeper see how that goes. Feel free to let me know if I am full of gas or maybe onto some thing. I really like to fish the Wilson and have spent many many hours doing so. Good Luck to you......

I feel your pain. I had a dry spell of 5 trips last year and continuing into early this year. The only benefit is, when you do catch one it will be all the sweeter.

Dont worry... I went out 10 times before landing anything last august and september. lol

Its been since early october since I landed a fish and i've gone close to 10 times... So Im due.

Thank you for the replies and information. I would like recommendations on the micro-jigs that have proven well in the Northwest region rivers (if any difference). Besides ocean fishing, the Siletz is a far South as I have river fished in quite some time. I would like more detailed instruction on using pro cure slamola and/or adding Borax to my eggs in the jar. Unfortunately, I have never cured my own eggs (something in the works this Spring) so the info on the pro cure or borax will be useful. Hopefully, this last bout of weather will produce some good activity in early March.

We, did a video on curing roe, adding slamola, borax. Just sign up to be a member of the main web site, if you haven't already and it in the members section of the video tutorials. That should help.

These have worked extremely well for us this year and this style in the past!! They have a lot of movement in the water for their size and have UV flash tied into the tail and body!! UV is what fish use to see their prey in the ocean.

You can purchase them here (http://www.steelheadstalkers.com/store_jigs4.htm) Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions!

Any input concerning Izor Line. I like its visibility especially for float fishing roe, pink worm or jigs.

Hi Lee,
I for one speak highly of Izorline. That is some strong stuff buddy. I used the Izor Platinum exclusively fishing inshore saltwater bass tournaments down in So Cal. Stuff never failed me bud. Landed 30# class salmon on the 8# Izor platinum from the bank as well. Great stuff!!! I use alot of it for leader material as well.