Winter Steelhead
Catching a winter steelhead is one of the most exciting and rewarding experience an angler can have. With the added difficulty of the elements, and the lethargic state the steelhead are in, connecting with a fish does not come easy. Regardless of the technique or tactic used to catch fish, anglers willing to brave the cold and wet conditions relish in the thought of landing of these special fish.
With a wide range of techniques available to use to catch winter steelhead, Senior Rod Designer Fred Contaoi created the following rods for a specific fishing tactic.
Conventional Rods for Winter Steelhead
Bobber Dogging
Drift fishing with a float, bobber dogging is an effective way to cover water without as many snags. Douglas Pro JD Richey explains how to bobber dog for steelhead.
Side Drifting
With the bait and weight bouncing along, side drifting provides one of the most natural presentations available. Interested in learning more? Douglas Pro JD Richey explains how to side drift for steelhead.
Spoons & Spinners
Fishing spoons and spinners is an exciting way to target steelhead. Anglers who fish this technique are sure to experience explosive takes and bites.
Bottom Bouncing
Bottom bouncing gets the bait down in front of the fish, even in faster water. This technique works best on rocky-bottom rivers.
Slip & Fixed Bobber Drifting
One of the most common methods of targeting steelhead. Anglers anticipate the moment when the bobber drops and there is a fish on the other end.
Backtrolling & Plugging
Starting at the head of a run and working your way down, backtrolling and plugging is known for aggressive takes from explosive fish.
Twitching Jigs
Effective in deep pools where other techniques don’t work, twitching jigs will get you aggressive hook-ups.
Fly Fishing for
Winter Steelhead
Whether you prefer to swing flies or fish under an indicator, anglers willing to brave the cold and wet conditions relish in the thought of coming tight to one of these special fish.
Here are a few of our favorite rods for winter steelhead.
Best Fly Rods for Winter Steelhead
Swinging
It is hard to beat a tightline grab – especially in the winter. Here are the rods we are fishing for smaller rivers that hold steelhead.
Indicator
Nymphing for steelhead is a very effective way to hook fish. When the indicator goes down here are the rods we are holding.
Winter Steelhead
Fly Fishing Tips
A few tips for anglers looking to get into winter steelhead fishing:
- Focus the bulk of your fishing when the day temps are higher. Late morning until the evening typically produces the best results.
- When swinging, control the speed of your swinging fly by mending your line. Focus on fishing slightly deeper, slower water where the winter fish like to hold.
- When fishing with an indicator setup, adjust the depth of your flies so that they are presented well to the fish. Fish are less likely to move large distances for your fly so make sure not to fish too shallow in the water column.
- Cover water! Steelhead are migratory fish and not every hole or run has a fish in it. Focus as much time as possible fishing the best water. If the river is highly pressured and fished, try focusing on water that others may have overlooked.
West Coast Shops
RMI Outdoors
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Stabi Daves Tackle & Bait
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St Helens, OR 97051
Great Lakes Shops
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226 W Parkdale Rd
Manistee, MI 49660
Fish Tech
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Morton Grove, IL 60053
Anglers Outlet
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17036 Oak Park Ave
Tinley Park, IL 60477
FishUSA
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Fairview, PA 16415
Colville Outfitters and Custom Tackle
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4475 Lake Shore Rd
Hamburg, NY 14075
Captain Bob's Outdoors Store
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10295 Main St #6
Clarence, NY 14031
Sonny's Fishing Center
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4589 NY-13
Pulaski, NY 13142
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3750 NY-13
Pulaski, NY 13142
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