I didn’t fish for Steelhead in December last year because I was just getting used to living at Lewiston and still moving and organizing stuff in my place. However, this year the weather is great and fish have moved up after the last rain. I stopped in the Trinity Fly Shop today, whining about having to put on waders instead of just getting into a boat on the lake. Herb nicely let me know that I was being an idiot, so I bought two flies and left. Herb told me where to go (not “hell” this time), but to start around steel bridge and head down towards Douglas City.
I checked out the river below steel bridge today. I set up my chair to see if fish were coming over the top of the riffle. I actually saw a ring rise just above the riffle on the far bank (on the left in the picture above). The water is low and not a lot of flow, but the far bank could hold fish jump coming out of the riffle.
The first riffle has some nice holding spots for fresh fish. It looks easier to get to from the far bank. However, one can walk for several hundred yards downstream on this bank. It depends how crowded the water is tomorrow.
I walked down to the tailout below the first riffle above. The tailout looks like it is deep with good current. I certainly have to try this area tomorrow.
I will be steelhead fishing for the next couple of days. I would be silly not to, with the weather, water conditions, and moving fish. I bought a Trinity Fly Shop gear bag on my second trip to the shop today. I’ve gone through all my boxes and found all my steelhead flies and gear. The basics I’m using tomorrow are in my gear bag, which will be attached to my wading belt (no vest strangling my neck!). Of course I’ll keep you all updated. Time to live the life of a steelhead fisherman retired right on the river.
Tight Lines!