the definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" and I see this constantly while people are fishing. Steelhead, as I explained earlier, are notoriously opportunistic feeders while they are in tributaries. They live off existing fat once they enter the creek, river etc. and that is why they are amongst the hardest fish to catch. One can sit on the same pool where you know there are fish or you can "river rat" your way from one pool to the next hoping that elsewhere the bite will be on.
I came across this on my favourite eastern trib yesterday. When I arrived I asked the 6 guys fishing the usual pool how the bite was and everyone said about the same thing 'been here for 6 hours and not a thing happening". I stopped for a moment to watch and everyone was drifting roe, first clue the fish had no interest in roe, I rigged up and in the first 9 drifts I hooked and landed 3 fish without once setting the hook. It was simply all about presentation and the bait I chose. Now does this make me a better fisherman than the other guys? Hell no I was just more imaginative and observant as to what was going on in the creek. When fishing for steelhead never be afraid to mix things up and try all the bait you have in your vest and box because at all times they will hit on the right combination of presentation and bait. Learn to read the water and you don't need polarized sunglasses to do it.
Concentrate on the words opportunistic and instinct and you will land plenty of fish this season.
In this particular creek there was "information" about it's hotspots that had been posted a while back and of the ones listed not one is even close to being one of the top 3 on this tributary. Firstly true fisherman never, EVER post hotspots IN A PUBLIC FORUM and secondly the spots posted aren't even hot.
I came across this on my favourite eastern trib yesterday. When I arrived I asked the 6 guys fishing the usual pool how the bite was and everyone said about the same thing 'been here for 6 hours and not a thing happening". I stopped for a moment to watch and everyone was drifting roe, first clue the fish had no interest in roe, I rigged up and in the first 9 drifts I hooked and landed 3 fish without once setting the hook. It was simply all about presentation and the bait I chose. Now does this make me a better fisherman than the other guys? Hell no I was just more imaginative and observant as to what was going on in the creek. When fishing for steelhead never be afraid to mix things up and try all the bait you have in your vest and box because at all times they will hit on the right combination of presentation and bait. Learn to read the water and you don't need polarized sunglasses to do it.
Concentrate on the words opportunistic and instinct and you will land plenty of fish this season.
In this particular creek there was "information" about it's hotspots that had been posted a while back and of the ones listed not one is even close to being one of the top 3 on this tributary. Firstly true fisherman never, EVER post hotspots IN A PUBLIC FORUM and secondly the spots posted aren't even hot.
