Patience and Wisdom
Much like the picture above, while you are Steelhead fishing it is very helpful to have both, patience and wisdom.You arrive at your fishing spot, you want to charge right down, and get started fishing. That may not be the best option for a number of reasons. Charging right in could make your whole day unpleasant.
Take some time to look over the area, has it changed any since your last visit. Is there someone already fishing from your favorite rock? Has the ground been covered with snow or ice, or has it rained making the trail down to your fishing area slick and muddy. May be the river level has changed so much that the hole you fished a couple of days ago is not even there now. Any of these items may ruin your day if they catch you off guard.
I always like to look around the area before I jump into something that I was not expecting. Perhaps like the dog above I had to be burned a few times before I learned to do this before I start fishing.
It has always been easier for me to read the river when I am standing above the river then it is to try to read it when I am at the rivers edge. The seams will stand out, normally I can tell where the deeper portions are, and I can see rocks that are submerged that I would not see otherwise.
If some one is fishing there, I like to watch and see how they are fishing, where they are fishing, and if they are having any luck. I have fished several holes over the years from the same rock not knowing that had I moved up or down steam some I could have caught twice as many steelhead. By watching other you can learn a lot about a river, steelhead, and where and how to fish them. Spending ten minutes watching someone else, fish could save you hour’s maybe even days of trial and error.
Having the patience’s to look around, watch, and learn from other will gain you some wisdom that may help you become successful at steelhead fishing. Of course having lots of luck never hurt either.
Tags: Steelhead Fishing