Had some time off... few questions

[drmantistbgn]

so i have some rare time off the next two weeks, my family and i moved here about a year and a half ago from n idaho border, i have never fished for steelhead before we moved, bought all the stuff i went a few times last year, managed to trick one and get it in, i think i get the gist of it, i have a spinning setup a baitcaster and a spey/switch rod. id like to go over the next two weeks, how does one know which rivers they are running? we live in sw wa but willing to drive a good ways for some fishing. is there a way to determine which rivers they are hanging out i in? is it based on historical migration? this whole sea faring trout is a new thing to me. ive tried float fishing with eggs/shrimp in a few rivers and plunking the columbia. anyways any tips or ideas would be helpful thanks!

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[cowboykid8]

A couple answers, so there are 2 big rivers off the Columbia river that are popular for winter steelhead in SW WA, both have hatcheries so there are hatchery steelhead in the river (ie steelhead you can keep). Not many people fish for winter steelhead on the columbia.

NW Sportsman magazine has a lot of information, I usually try and snag a magazine if it has good info in it that month. Steelheader magazine could also be a good one to look at.

Searching through Addicted fishing's youtube channel is good for finding how tos. Angler West TV and Day One outdoors also have good information.

They are called the fish of a 1000 casts for good reason. After duck season I am pretty done being cold, so I haven't been fishing for winter steelhead in a few years. Lots more opportunity for salmon out this way than Idaho, so also look into that. Good luck out there!

 

[drmantistbgn]

I appreciate you taking your time to respond. I'll continue my endeavors.

 

[oremike]

Fishing Report | Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

myodfw.com

https://www.theguidesforecast.com/category/free/?srsltid=AfmBOorjcCTj42vJ6b1VOcHaa1VkUltGHu1QJdpEIY6GvVgLkLW0U-8B

 

[drmantistbgn]

Fishing Report | Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

myodfw.com

https://www.theguidesforecast.com/category/free/?srsltid=AfmBOorjcCTj42vJ6b1VOcHaa1VkUltGHu1QJdpEIY6GvVgLkLW0U-8B

Hell yeah man thanks.

 

[No_Regerts]

Check out the N. fork of the Lewis River, Kalama River, and the Cowlitz. The Cowlitz has a ton of bank access. Not sure about the others because I've only fished them from a boat.

 

[Flymph]

Swing a fly on the East fork Lewis river, I would recommend traditional salmon flies found in Ray Bergman's book Trout.

 

[Mikej]

so i have some rare time off the next two weeks, my family and i moved here about a year and a half ago from n idaho border, i have never fished for steelhead before we moved, bought all the stuff i went a few times last year, managed to trick one and get it in, i think i get the gist of it, i have a spinning setup a baitcaster and a spey/switch rod. id like to go over the next two weeks, how does one know which rivers they are running? we live in sw wa but willing to drive a good ways for some fishing. is there a way to determine which rivers they are hanging out i in? is it based on historical migration? this whole sea faring trout is a new thing to me. ive tried float fishing with eggs/shrimp in a few rivers and plunking the columbia. anyways any tips or ideas would be helpful thanks!

Sport catch records can be helpful for ideas of what waters and time of year to fish certain streams/rivers.

2021 Washington State Sport Catch Report

wdfw.wa.gov

 

[Member 93125]

Steelhead are in the main coos and umpqua down here in the dunes. Tenmile creek out of spinreel has a few as does eel, but not many. Nothing in the smaller creeks yet, due to lack of rain I'm thinking. Although not steelhead the Lingcod and Black bass are good right now of the jetty and ocean unless the out of season cabazon eat your bait. Crabbing is decent too. Claming excellent

 

[Mikej]

Steelhead are in the main coos and umpqua down here in the dunes. Tenmile creek out of spinreel has a few as does eel, but not many. Nothing in the smaller creeks yet, due to lack of rain I'm thinking. Although not steelhead the Lingcod and Black bass are good right now of the jetty and ocean unless the out of season cabazon eat your bait. Crabbing is decent too. Claming excellent

View attachment 2041105 View attachment 2041106

That's one heck of a clam you got there Mister!

 

[drmantistbgn]

I'm gonna be working down near the siletz for a few weeks, gonna try to hit it while I'm there. I hooked one last year there around this time on fly rod but got off at bank, the steelhead I landed was up in the canyon on the kalama. I've fished the Lewis, cowlitz, elochaman, siletz and did some plunking in the Columbia last summer and got skunked everytime. Maybe I'll just stick with earthworms and bobbers and bluegill lmao! Thanks for all the tips. Me and the fam went razor clamming recently and limited in about 12 mins. Was a blast.

 

[lancegrsn78]

so i have some rare time off the next two weeks, my family and i moved here about a year and a half ago from n idaho border, i have never fished for steelhead before we moved, bought all the stuff i went a few times last year, managed to trick one and get it in, i think i get the gist of it, i have a spinning setup a baitcaster and a spey/switch rod. id like to go over the next two weeks, how does one know which rivers they are running? we live in sw wa but willing to drive a good ways for some fishing. is there a way to determine which rivers they are hanging out i in? is it based on historical migration? this whole sea faring trout is a new thing to me. ive tried float fishing with eggs/shrimp in a few rivers and plunking the columbia. anyways any tips or ideas would be helpful thanks!

Man, sounds like you're already off to a solid start — getting one to the bank your first season is better than most! Steelhead can be a heartbreaker but once it clicks, it gets real addictive.
In terms of where to go — yeah, a lot of it is based on historical runs and water levels. For SW WA, keep an eye on the Kalama, Cowlitz, and Lewis. Cowlitz especially sees decent numbers, and they'll post creel reports you can check weekly. The WDFW website and fish counts at the dams (like Bonneville or Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery) can give you a good idea of what's moving.

Also don't sleep on some smaller tributaries when the water bumps up after rain. That can pull fresh fish in fast.
If you're float fishing, eggs/shrimp are solid, especially early season. But don't be afraid to mess with jigs under a float or even drift a bead. You've got the right gear — now it's just about finding where they're holding.

If you want company or intel, a lot of local tackle shops are surprisingly helpful too. Sounds like you're on the right track. Enjoy the time off and tight lines! Let us know how it goes.