Steelhead
Fishing Techniques and Tackle
What Are Steelhead and Where Do They Live?
 Steelhead
Trout are very similar in appearance to rainbow
trout, the main difference between the two is that steelhead
migrate to the sea to live part of there life cycle of up
to 9 years. After the steelhead fry have hatched they will
live from 1 to 3 years in freshwater before migrating to
the sea. Generally they will spend 2 to 3 years before they
return to spawn in there native rivers. Unlike there relatives
the salmon, not all steelhead die after spawning.
Steelhead are one of the most sought after sport fish in
British Columbia, they are also one of the most
beautiful and hardest fighting fish we have here.
These fish tend to have a grey bluish back with scattered
black spots over there bodies. They also have large square
tails which enable them to jump obstacles in the river and
help with there great fighting abilities when hooked by
an angler.
 There
are two different runs here on the west
coast of British Columbia. The first is a summer run which
enters the rivers from May to October and a winter run which
enter the rivers from December to April. Some rivers do
support both winter and summer runs which is an added bonus
for the steelhead angler.
Steelhead Fishing Techiques
There are many different angling techniques used to catch
these fish. Here on our local rivers float fishing with
bait casters or center pin reels is popular. When this method
is employed we use an adjustable float and below that a
pencil lead attached to the mainline. We use a swivel between
the mainline and a 8 to 15 pound leader which is generally
around 18 inches. As far as attractants go there are many
different options for the angler. Some of the most popular
are: wool ties in sorted pinks, peach and red colors; bait
such as salmon roe and shrimp are very effective; lead head
jigs with marabou feathers work good along with Colorado
blades and spoons.
 For
many anglers fly fishing is the ultimate
way to fish for steelhead. When fly fishing most anglers
use spey rods. This enables the angler to cover more water
and use heavier sink tips and weighted flies. This method
is commonly used to fish for winter run Steelhead on our
fast flowing west coast rivers. Rods in the 8 to 10 weight
seem to be the most common; the G Loomis Dredgers are my
favorite spey rods to use with the Airflow Skagit heads.
There are a multitude of flies to use while steelhead fishing.
Some of the most commonly used in or local
waters are: marabou patterns with pinks, purples, black,
blues in many different combinations; Squamish Poachers;
GP in orange or black and intruders tied with rhea or ostrich
feathers. Minnow patterns are also used when the salmon
fry are hatching (remember steelhead do eat when in the
river).
 As
a general rule try to keep it simple. You do not
have to have four fly boxes filled with flies! Use the flies
that you have confidence in and fish them well. If the steelheads
are in the biting mood they will take a properly presented
fly and don't waste your time thinking about how you palmered
your marabou.
Fishing for steelhead is not for everyone;
braving the cold and damp weather we tend to have here in
the winter takes a special kind of angler. They can be one
of the most frustrating and one of the most personally rewarding
fish to catch here on the west coast of British Columbia.
There are many days spent casting flies without a fish for
your efforts, but when it happens and you feel the
take of the fish, see it jump and the line peeling off your
reel, it makes it all worth while.
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