This report is for the North Fork. My chase for the elusive Steelhead continues. I arrived at the hatchery a little after 6am. When I pulled down to the river my heart dropped with the amount of cars and anglers all waddling to secure spots along the bank. Of course the spot I like to fish was overtaken. I still had high hopes and was going to give it my best college try regardless. I chose a spot above the hatchery, unfortunately the drift I was fishing, above me was surrounded by plunkers and below me by guys who were drifting eggs.
My strategy of using bobber and jig was fruitless for my drift was very short. I used pink and white jigs, nightmare jigs, jig with pink worm, jig tipped with shrimp, and jig tipped with eggs. I felt zero fish all morning. Hour after hour, the cold became overwhelming and I began to accept defeat.
I seen 10 gorgeous super chrome fish landed when I was there. 3 by the plunkers using shrimp, 4 by the guys drifting eggs and 3 from guys using bobber and jig further downriver. The biggest fish was a 15lb hen. The majority of the fish were from 5- 8 lbs. I either need to learn how to plunk, drift eggs or get better at using bobber and jig or I will end 2009 without any metal.
I do however will fish here xmas weekend. All or nothing. All in. To the dome..whatever, I am fishing!

stephanp

12/14/2009 8:53:00 PM

hey ,
steelheading is usually a gruling casting marathon to get to them.... the best time of the season is yet to come and i believe you still have a chance. the guy who has his line in the water all the time is the guy who catches fish. period.
If your willing to drive that far you should try some of the penninsula rivers ..... big fish and better later on.
the skookumchuck is a good bet in january and feb. cowlitz has also been hot.. everything catches them just gotta get it on there nose. i believe float and jig fishing is one of the most productive methods. eggs being my first choice though. Try drifting pink worms or bobber and pink worm...green worm works also. use a dead fish tackle egg weight right above the worm. .... dont plunk unless the water is high . yeah they get fish but again its about placement and time. I rather be casting.anyway thats for the old boys. hope that helps some one .. until next time

jens

12/14/2009 9:18:00 PM

Hey thanks stephanp. I wouldn't normally drive that far to the Lewis, my fiance lives in Vancouver and I stumbled across this river and it is only a 20 minute drive from her parents house. I hear the Cow has been doing well also. We might be making a trip this week, and I will be trying everything until I catch something. I kinda live by the Skook, so for sure I will be hitting that up soon. but thank you for the tips btw-

flinginpooh

12/15/2009 4:32:00 PM

I was wanting to get atleast 4 by years end. Now Im hoping for atleast 1. I know your pain. Ive tried everything but tossin TNT I swear. I plan on stopping by the rez and pickin some up from my cousins. J/k on that one Bodo I know thats against the rules. Ill be out as many times as I can but not sure what else to do.

hanapaa808

12/17/2009 6:37:00 PM

jens, email me and maybe we can hook up and ill show you where i hook into these steelies........

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