Monthly Archives: September 2010

Riffle Hook-up!

What kind of waters should I target when steelhead fishing is a question we constantly hear from beginning steelheaders as well as visiting anglers new to the area.There is no easy answer or formula for best describing or selecting prime holding waters. Salmon and steelhead worlds are constantly changing; influenced by current weather/water conditions, sexual maturity as well as the timing of the runs themselves. Desired approach or method of fishing (skating-swinging-dead drift indicator nymphing, conventional fishing) also greatly determines what waters are best suited to compliment methods applied. Understanding a basic/elementary classification of water compositions and associating fishing methods is one way that may help lead you to success and keep the odds in your favor.

John Hazel dissecting pocket waters.

Riffles (chutes)—broken surface waters that vary in water velocities and depths. Generally flows into a pool or glide. (Great for protection, holding, spawning, oxygen, food sources).Compliments all fishing methods at one time or another. Most obvious waters recognized by all anglers. Good most anytime, especially early in the season when water temps are high and fish seeking oxygen/protection.

Pools–Deep slower flowing waters that vary in both depths and velocities. Most often fed by riffles. (Ideal for staging/maturing, resting, and fish seeking sanctuary and protection) Best compliments-Deep water sinking line dead drifting/swinging, indicator nymphing and most all conventional fishing (baits-hardware) most anytime. Especially winter and during prolonged low water periods.

Mark Noble skating for steel.

Glides—Non-descript, smooth surface waters that also vary in velocities and depths and unlike deep pools, are much more drawn out in length. The most difficult waters to understand and fish as they are often overlooked for more obvious water compositions. Generally sandwiched in between riffles and/or tailouts of major pools. (Good for resting/holding, protection, food sources) Compliments swinging, dead drifting, skating, indicator nymphing and most all conventional fishing. Excellent water choices during low water periods, cold water periods and especially during heavy pressure times. When all else fails—fish’em.

Pocket Waters–Fast flowing, short/brief deeper waters that vary in velocities and depths. Generally below tailouts/pools and ahead of riffles.(Ideal for temporary resting/holding, protection, oxygen) Compliments, skating, indicator nymphing and some conventional fishing) Good water choices during low, warm water periods, high angling pressure, and major migrations or rotations.

Tailouts—slow moving to moderate velocity waters that greatly vary in depths. Generally located below major holding pools and glides and/or the bottom end of tapering riffles. (Good for resting/holding, protection, food sources, spawning). Compliments Skating, swinging and some conventional fishing. Often overlooked and personal favorite waters to target during early season migrations/rotations, during high angling pressure, and high cold water periods.

No matter what H2O water compisition or what method fished-all steelies are special!

Now factor in “Ma Nature”, atmosphere pressure changes, various water columns, weather, water heights/temperatures, seasons, full moon, planet alignments, and Big Foot, you have a mixed formula that challenges even the most devoted. Speaking of impacting factors current record breaking temperatures have settled in, creating some very demanding angling. Lead fall fish are scattered well throughout the mid-lower system. Fish early-late and target west bank shadows. Fall colors, Chrome eruptions, Screaming reels—Born to Skate!

Good—More than just symptoms of an early fall. Fall colors are popping, air and H20 temperatures are dropping and enticing lead fall salmon and steelhead into the system. Fall Chinook runs are in full force in the Klamath and strong numbers are just now showing in the lower Trinity. Fresh schools have already reached Willow Creek and heading full steam up the gorge. Lead fish are much larger than average years with some tackle busters pressing over 30 lbs…Beef up those tippits!

Both half pounders and steelhead are also making a showing and providing quality action for those devoting time and effort. Fish are scattered Weitchpec up through Willow Creek. Action is rated fair to good; typical early season hit or miss outings with some lead “native” adults pressing over 9 lbs… Recently Oregon angler Tristan Mihan fished with Kit and skated up his very first fly caught steelhead. The steelie rose three times on the initial presentation before finally taking it solid with an illuminated slashing push of water. Leaving Tristan dazed and stoked for life. Yes Ma, they do rise to dries—you have to believe, commit and fish’em…

Bad-For the past few weeks early season anglers, targeting the upper river; Junction City up to Bucktail, have experienced turbid water conditions. Some days the river is simply unfishable. We have had a number of calls and visiting anglers dropping by the shop inquiring as to why the river is colored. The answer is there is a major series of dozer and earth moving equipment removing streamside riparian vegetation, digging side channels, performing various in stream channel manipulations, bank alternations (“feather edging”) as well as gravel placement and “injections” six days a week sun up to sun down. Sundays the river flows clear. How long will this all last? Good Question. Possibly contacting the Trinity River Restoration Project (Weaverville) directly could shed some light. (T.R.R.P. —530-623-1806).

Ugly-This year steelhead anglers are going to be in for a major shock when fishing waters below Bucktail and Douglas City. Current on going Trinity River Restoration projects have drastically altered streambeds and previous river compositions. The new face lift includes all the work mentioned above. Streamside vegetation growths and holding/staging waters have been eliminated and currently represent groomed baron, shallow gravel raceways. Why? Another good question and reason to contact the Trinity River Restoration Project’s “environmental specialist” Brandt Gutermuth ( bgutermuth@usbr.gov This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 530-623-1806) Do these restoration projects work? Who knows? Currently there is no data/back up available to evaluate or support current and previous projects. So time will tell. How do we feel about all of this? We’ve informed them of our concerns based upon our years of devoted river knowledge and passion. It doesn’t seem to matter. With or without public input they maintain a personal agenda and appear to be in a world all by themselves. Besides we can’t print how we truly feel. However we will submit, “artificial” is a word that is commonly being used that now best describes the upper reach of the Trinity River. Trinity-Lewiston dams, man-made reservoirs, water diversions, hatchery and hatchery fish stocks/supplements all ties together with current on-going mechanical river projects. Keeping this in mind one has to question, does the upper Trinity River still qualify under a wild and scenic status?