Hey Guys,
Thought that I'd post this up on here, as I think it is valuable for people who are struggling a bit this year. I think alot of people missed it where it was previously posted. Hope this helps some people
This is only my second season on the vedder. Last year I did well when the water was clear and the fish were holding more in the deeper pools and runs. Early this season I was probing similair waters with little success. So I changed my game plan and started picking up fish in shallow pocket water on a regular basis. As far as the numbers being down I don't think that is the case, I just think that the locals who fish the same areas year after year aren't finding fish in those spots. Sometimes people get stuck in fishing the same types of water year after year, and that kind of mindset just doesn't cut it when it comes to steelheading in changing river conditions. Such is the case on the Vedder this year I think. Alot of fish were taken last year because the fish were very predictable, anything with some good depth and moderate to slow flow was holding fish, and usually good numbers of them. Throughout the day these fish would turn on and off. It was not uncommon to hit up to 10 steelies a day out of the same hole towards the end of the season. However this year with the water being high the fish are spread out and holding in less than ideal looking areas. You have to remember that the river looks alot different under the surface. With the added safety of dirtier water a 3' deep set of rapids with some mid sized boulders scattered throughout looks like a great holding spot to a steelhead. 1. The broken water reduces visibility. 2. The boulders provide a great current break. and 3. Food is constsntly being washed past them just inches away from their nose. Keep some of these things in mind the next time your out on the water and some successfull outings are sure to come your way. Those double digit days are going to be hard to come by this year, only due to the fact that the fish are able to use the whole river and not just the deeper areas.
Keep your confidence level up and success will follow.
