Hi ... first Steelhead saturday using drennan float did not get him in the boat though.

Man He exploded out of the water as soon as I started to reel the float back to check my bait.

I did not see the float move or anything.

I have tried to fish this same spot several times with no luck it gets allot of pressure.

This time I went way up the island and anchored my boat about 100 yds.

I tried several different color flies not interested.

I let the float drift down to where the river current comes together and just let the roe sit on the bottom.

He took the bait without moving the float!

My question is do steelhead just sit there with the bait in their mouth?

Is it my imagination or do you really have to sneak up on them?

I watched them moving the float around but everytime I would set the hook they would quit.

I tried to get closer and they quit all together.

Opening day tomorrow for salmon .... numbers are way down most of the old timers are saying they have come through already just the stragglers left.

Anyone have any suggestions about strategy ?

Thank you

Bill Scott

who cares what the old timers say... one of those "straglers" may be a trophy!!! get out there and toss your line out!!!

i usually use the "stealth technique" when steelheading. its a little easier to do when using floats and jigs/bait. slowly approch the hole from the top side, throw out above the hole, let it drift through. i usually let it drift a little slower then current speed. with spinners, ill cast all the way to the other side (if possible) above the hole, then slowly swing it directly in front of the fish's face. or at least ill guess where the fish might be, then ill make my swing... reeling very slowly to give the blade a really good pulse. ive had so many first cast takes with this technique i cant count them anymore!

seems odd that the fish would take the bait without moving your float. if the float didnt move, how do you know there was a fish there to begin with? perhaps the current was playing tricks. this might explain why there were no fish each time you set the hook...?

O.K. I will confess I am about as newbie as you can get even at my age ... 62.

This is like my first SH ever ! I'm like a big Kid again

The first SH took the bait off the sand bar?

I did not know I had anything .. I was in the boat getting a cup of coffee.

The next thing I know he just started jumping out of the water !

I got him all the way to the boat and got a good look at him ... and POW gone for ever.

So ... I send the same bait and float down to the same spot about 100 yards down stream and wait!

The float is moved at least 2 feet then back real slow.

The float was sitting in a real quiet place on a sand bar.

So now I have went back and tried this same spot about three times no success.

Honestly, I don't think letting bait sit under a float in still water is the best method for catching steelhead. I am sure you can hook a few that way, but there are much more productive methods. Go find yourself a nice slow riffle about 4 to 6 ft deep and try bobber fishing that with your bait, and I promise you will catch more steelhead that way. Also not sure if you know what a dead drift is, but it is very important when steelhead fishing. We did a short tutorial on reading water and I show what a dead drift is in that video if you are interested. Hear is a link. http://www.steelheadstalkers.com/lesson_read_water.htm

i agree with archer. letting your bait sit under a float will only gain you marginal success. especially over a sand bar. sand and fish gills dont mix. typically. the piece of water in shown in archers link is killer float water (spinners as well!!!). good luck!

Thank You both for your help!

I used to trout fish with waders and be able to fish the streams but my knees do not allow me to fish out of the boat.

Since I am not very stealthy walking anymore.

I thought maybe I could still fish letting the bait drift to where I want it to be!

Maybe a bad idea though!

Getting Old is not for sissy!

Bill

no, its not a bad idea at all. letting your bait drift where you want it is what its all about... as long you're drifting it where the fish are hanging out to begin with. i still dont recomend fishing over sand bars. as far as your knees having an effect on your being "stealthy", you may have better luck sneaking up on the fish with some clever casting. i always try to approach the whole (if possable) from the down river side. this way, at least in theory, the fish wont be able to see you coming. cast your rig way above the hole and let it drift naturally down to where ever you think a steelie may be lying. mend your line, and take up the slack as your rig floats past you. and be ready! ive had bobbers go down two seconds after hitting the water!!! talk about being caught off gaurd!!!

I am going out today for salmon and try backdrift using a kwikfish green!

any suggetions!


Bill

Make sure its a Chartruse green and silver Kwick fish and wrap it with a sardine. I would also recommend using latex or nitrile gloves while handling your bait and line. If you don't know how to wrap a kwick fish, we have a video on how to do that as well.