RandyJones
03-08-2008, 07:33 PM
March Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report, Forecast's, Tips, Ramblings, Etc... Enjoy!
-
I'm noticing more angler's out on the river, which is always nice to see. Less down, more up. Most folks are tangling with a few. Sometimes more and sometimes less, as usual.
The lower in the river you fish the easier the fish are to catch, in my opinion.
We have "a number" of fresh Steelhead making their way up river as well as a lot that have been in the river for awhile. Both transitional (hint:) and Winter holding spot's are producing. Starting to see some spawning activity which is normal. We call these our early spawners. Within the next few weeks we will see approx. 80% of the Steelhead in the river turning their attention to a specific type of rock and current break. Within the next few weeks we will also start to see the early drop backs. These are fish that have spawned and are now on there way back to the lake. Stopping along the way down river in all the normal spot's to feed and regain their strength.
I've seen a fair number of fish that were in a transitional state, moving up the river and briefly holding in the transitional lyes. Presently, all of the fish in the river are starting to feel their biological clock ticking, making them think and behave a lil differently.
I hope the above and ALL of the below report's, tips, articles and rambling's entertains and keep's you safe while helping you in your Steelhead quest! Sharing this info. with you has and always will be a pleasure. :)
Best Fish's,
Randy
-
(See photo - www.yankeeangler.com)
This was the Nantucket Sleigh ride fish mentioned in the below fishing reports. What a HONK'A! Congrats! (Fish released)
-
Here is a link my "funny and sarcastic ;) client Warren sent to me.
http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html
He said that I might be able to use it. :O I just started tying knots last week so Im still learn'n how to tie a good one. :)
-
A "Much Edited" Sampling of fishing reports, Tips from some of last month's Steelhead trips
In our 1/2 days fishing we tangled with 5 Steelhead. Not bad! Yesterday we went on a Nantucket sleigh ride. We gave chase in the boat and were surrounded with a very narrow river, fast water, log jam's, fish running under the boat in about every direction, boulders, fish moving from one side of the boat to the other, my oar blades, rapids, tree's, you name it. We had to zig and zag our way through this obstacle course with a mad and dashing Steelhead on. Pheeew! Finally that steelhead had had enough and gave up. It was netted nicely off the side of the drift boat as we drifted down the river. Talk about a Chinese fire drill! It would have been a hilarious show to watch as I tried to run the oar's, anchor, missing all the obstacles and net while keeping everyone safe and upright in the boat all at once. :)What a fight, what an adrenaline rush, DAM, I love this job!
TIP:
The fish today in one Winter holding pool did not want any natural looking aquatic insect flies and would ONLY hit glow bug's in pink and cream. (We did not try bait or any other egg colors) In a transitional holding spot they only wanted the aquatics.
After working the entire hole with aquatics with no bites? I tied on a glow bug in Pink and on the first cast, it was hammered "Fish On", Baby! The second rod doubled over in the hole within 5 minutes of changing to a cream glow bug. Boy, it sure pay's to have a pretty good understanding of entomology and baitology on this river. It also paid dividends to be able to listen to what the fish were telling us related to their eating habit's and adjust. I knew we had a minimum of 10-15 steelhead in this spot that wanted nothing to do with our insect fly offering. By paying close attention, we were able to fool a couple before pulling the anchor. 2 more fish came from the next transitional lye before calling it a day. :)
Cream is my #1 color for glow bugs and pink is a close second.
-
This came from a post on the www.Steelhead.com site. I could not say it any better. What makes an experienced steelhead angler?
The ability to evaluate a situation and adjust your presentation to maximize your catch
-
(See photo - www.yankeeangler.com)
What a beauty! (Fish Released) Photo by Pro Photographer John Halnon
-
Tip:
Ice in your guides?
The best stuff to use is either silicone spray or Ice Off Paste, sold at most tackle shops. Works on both fly and spin rods. The paste works the best if you put it on the night before. Re-apply as needed while fishing.
-
Tip:
FYI - This mag. is free and available at many fly/tackle shops in case your intrested?
"The Fisherman Magazine" (out now, 2 part series in two issues and cover shot) has some great Salmon River Steelhead articles in it. I contributed what little I know :) with the writer about habitat - Reading the Water section. I'd like to sincerely "Thank" John D. Silva, New England Outdoor Freelance writer for this flattering opportunity!
-
Hi Randy, Just a heads up...
The two-part article I wrote will be featured in a 4-region sweep(all the east coast
regional editions) including cover photo in The Fisherman Magazine beginning next week.
Part II is the feature about "reading the water," and it is the section of the piece
that you are mentioned in. Your part will be out on 2/21 I believe. So keep an eye
out for The Fisherman Magazine on Feb 21...
Thanks and good luck on the water...!
John
-
(See photo - www.yankeeangler.com)
Fish kept for the dinner table. Congrats again! (Fish released into refrigerator :)
-
FYI - If you like to read, then these books may be of interest?
Several flattering highlights and first time goals were achieved this year by getting
a number of my work pictures and some advertising ink into a couple of books. They are
distributed world-wide and endorsed by some of this countries top Fly and Spey fishing
- casting guru's.
I'm in Simon Gawesworth - Spey Casting - First and Second Editions. What's funny about
this big book is that every single picture is of Simon except for 1.
Rich Murphy - Fly Fishing for Striped Bass. He is presently doing a national tour to
promote this large book. Ive got about 6 or so pictures in the flats section. Lefty K.
says that it is the most thorough saltwater fly fishing book presently on the shelves.
-
I sincerely hope that what little Ive been able to share with you over these past 10
or more years and will continue to share with you has helped you along the road to
becoming a better, more informed, experienced angler. Even if you didn't learn anything
new and only find my site entertaining, than Im very happy to have you spend a lil of
your valuable internet fishing time here. I'm flattered as usual!
-
Hello to all of the service men and women over sea's that enjoy my fishing reports.
Wishing you all a safe return home!
Best Fish's,
Randy
-
I'm noticing more angler's out on the river, which is always nice to see. Less down, more up. Most folks are tangling with a few. Sometimes more and sometimes less, as usual.
The lower in the river you fish the easier the fish are to catch, in my opinion.
We have "a number" of fresh Steelhead making their way up river as well as a lot that have been in the river for awhile. Both transitional (hint:) and Winter holding spot's are producing. Starting to see some spawning activity which is normal. We call these our early spawners. Within the next few weeks we will see approx. 80% of the Steelhead in the river turning their attention to a specific type of rock and current break. Within the next few weeks we will also start to see the early drop backs. These are fish that have spawned and are now on there way back to the lake. Stopping along the way down river in all the normal spot's to feed and regain their strength.
I've seen a fair number of fish that were in a transitional state, moving up the river and briefly holding in the transitional lyes. Presently, all of the fish in the river are starting to feel their biological clock ticking, making them think and behave a lil differently.
I hope the above and ALL of the below report's, tips, articles and rambling's entertains and keep's you safe while helping you in your Steelhead quest! Sharing this info. with you has and always will be a pleasure. :)
Best Fish's,
Randy
-
(See photo - www.yankeeangler.com)
This was the Nantucket Sleigh ride fish mentioned in the below fishing reports. What a HONK'A! Congrats! (Fish released)
-
Here is a link my "funny and sarcastic ;) client Warren sent to me.
http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html
He said that I might be able to use it. :O I just started tying knots last week so Im still learn'n how to tie a good one. :)
-
A "Much Edited" Sampling of fishing reports, Tips from some of last month's Steelhead trips
In our 1/2 days fishing we tangled with 5 Steelhead. Not bad! Yesterday we went on a Nantucket sleigh ride. We gave chase in the boat and were surrounded with a very narrow river, fast water, log jam's, fish running under the boat in about every direction, boulders, fish moving from one side of the boat to the other, my oar blades, rapids, tree's, you name it. We had to zig and zag our way through this obstacle course with a mad and dashing Steelhead on. Pheeew! Finally that steelhead had had enough and gave up. It was netted nicely off the side of the drift boat as we drifted down the river. Talk about a Chinese fire drill! It would have been a hilarious show to watch as I tried to run the oar's, anchor, missing all the obstacles and net while keeping everyone safe and upright in the boat all at once. :)What a fight, what an adrenaline rush, DAM, I love this job!
TIP:
The fish today in one Winter holding pool did not want any natural looking aquatic insect flies and would ONLY hit glow bug's in pink and cream. (We did not try bait or any other egg colors) In a transitional holding spot they only wanted the aquatics.
After working the entire hole with aquatics with no bites? I tied on a glow bug in Pink and on the first cast, it was hammered "Fish On", Baby! The second rod doubled over in the hole within 5 minutes of changing to a cream glow bug. Boy, it sure pay's to have a pretty good understanding of entomology and baitology on this river. It also paid dividends to be able to listen to what the fish were telling us related to their eating habit's and adjust. I knew we had a minimum of 10-15 steelhead in this spot that wanted nothing to do with our insect fly offering. By paying close attention, we were able to fool a couple before pulling the anchor. 2 more fish came from the next transitional lye before calling it a day. :)
Cream is my #1 color for glow bugs and pink is a close second.
-
This came from a post on the www.Steelhead.com site. I could not say it any better. What makes an experienced steelhead angler?
The ability to evaluate a situation and adjust your presentation to maximize your catch
-
(See photo - www.yankeeangler.com)
What a beauty! (Fish Released) Photo by Pro Photographer John Halnon
-
Tip:
Ice in your guides?
The best stuff to use is either silicone spray or Ice Off Paste, sold at most tackle shops. Works on both fly and spin rods. The paste works the best if you put it on the night before. Re-apply as needed while fishing.
-
Tip:
FYI - This mag. is free and available at many fly/tackle shops in case your intrested?
"The Fisherman Magazine" (out now, 2 part series in two issues and cover shot) has some great Salmon River Steelhead articles in it. I contributed what little I know :) with the writer about habitat - Reading the Water section. I'd like to sincerely "Thank" John D. Silva, New England Outdoor Freelance writer for this flattering opportunity!
-
Hi Randy, Just a heads up...
The two-part article I wrote will be featured in a 4-region sweep(all the east coast
regional editions) including cover photo in The Fisherman Magazine beginning next week.
Part II is the feature about "reading the water," and it is the section of the piece
that you are mentioned in. Your part will be out on 2/21 I believe. So keep an eye
out for The Fisherman Magazine on Feb 21...
Thanks and good luck on the water...!
John
-
(See photo - www.yankeeangler.com)
Fish kept for the dinner table. Congrats again! (Fish released into refrigerator :)
-
FYI - If you like to read, then these books may be of interest?
Several flattering highlights and first time goals were achieved this year by getting
a number of my work pictures and some advertising ink into a couple of books. They are
distributed world-wide and endorsed by some of this countries top Fly and Spey fishing
- casting guru's.
I'm in Simon Gawesworth - Spey Casting - First and Second Editions. What's funny about
this big book is that every single picture is of Simon except for 1.
Rich Murphy - Fly Fishing for Striped Bass. He is presently doing a national tour to
promote this large book. Ive got about 6 or so pictures in the flats section. Lefty K.
says that it is the most thorough saltwater fly fishing book presently on the shelves.
-
I sincerely hope that what little Ive been able to share with you over these past 10
or more years and will continue to share with you has helped you along the road to
becoming a better, more informed, experienced angler. Even if you didn't learn anything
new and only find my site entertaining, than Im very happy to have you spend a lil of
your valuable internet fishing time here. I'm flattered as usual!
-
Hello to all of the service men and women over sea's that enjoy my fishing reports.
Wishing you all a safe return home!
Best Fish's,
Randy