Not sure if it helps - Tall, I know you have a lot more experience than me, but I also know others read this that might benefit), but I got out with my son recently without a rod. I learned a huge amount.
We kept out of the water but once, where there is a regular ford.
I'm still a noob, and just wanted to see if I could FIND fish (the trib is currently a sanctuary). Also used the time to bone up on possible hatches available for the opener.
Found a decent steelhead (that's my guess, could be wrong) when I started to cross at the ford. It splashed me and moved up the rapid. Following it move, especially against the surface features, gave me a better insight than anything I have read or heard. It's one thing to hear about fish hanging out behind a boulder, or at the side of a seam, but something entirely different to watch a fish purposefully hold at the edge of a riffle. Imagining a presentation gets a bit more real with a fish in site.
One thing I've definitely learned on this forum is leg-work. Last weekend hammered that home.
Get out and watch some fish.
As I said, it might not help you, Tall, but it might help others.
And if it helps further, I've still not caught one steelhead (but now have almost trod on one)
