Summer Stealhead

[Wrong Way Ron]

Thinking about going out this weekend, Do you guys think the summer run for Stealhead is over ?  With the water getting lower and the warmer temps it doesn't seem like theres anything going on.  I was out last weekend with no luck but there were others doing the same.  Didn't see a one.  I am new to Stealheading however a guided trip with  Brian taught  me a few thing that I tried to apply last weekend with no luck. Is it me or is Brian that good Well with Brian I landed a 10lbs Stealhead my first time out. So Brian very good It seems that I need to book another trip . Or should I be putting all my efforts into getting ready for the salmon in September?

[Brian]

Hey Ron, don't give up on summer runs already.   August can be a fickle month with low water and warm temperatures, but the runs are far from over. Heck on many rivers summer steelhead don't even begin to show much til the end of August, so the runs on these rivers haven't even really started in earnest yet. Late August, September and October produce some of the years best fishing as the waters begin to cool. If you put all your efforts into salmon fishing in the fall, you will be missing out on some of the finest steelheading this state has to offer. Hang in there man.   If you gotta get out this weekend I would head for a river of glacial origin and fish higher up in the system The headwaters of many streams are still quite cool right now. Good L:uck!

[Wrong Way Ron]

Thanks Brian for all the info.  I will take your advise and hope for the best.  No IM going to Fish with Confidence.  Hey did I just steal that saying from Lamiglas Any way I hope to run into you one of these days.

[Brian]

Ron,
You may want to consider the Kalama or the Skykomish. I hear they both have decent numbers of fish in them right now.

[Wrong Way Ron]

Thank you I will head out this weekend and keep you informed. 

[Wrong Way Ron]

Well I went out Saturday. First Steelhead come darting out and grabbed my home made jig and spit it out. Sure did get the blood pumping. The second steelhead come racing out behind a rock and didn't like what I was serving now the blood is really pumping. The third steelhead grabbed the home made jig and the fight was on three big leaps out of the water.  I finally get the fish under control and to the bank how ever Brian told me that most fish are lost at this point being careful not to loose this fish I was amazed to see that the line broke of in front of the jig, As soon as I grabed the tail on good thrust and of he went lost it.  Oh well I had a great time and feeling better about my fishing and IM tying my own jigs that the fish are taking and learning all the time.