Looking for my first steelhead!

[jhustle4u]

I am a newer angler. I live in Tualatin, OR. I am looking to do some steelhead fishing. Probably bank fishing, as I don't have a boat. Any suggestions on places to try and what techniques I might use at those places?

 

[Yogidabear]

I have never fished that river so I can't give any advice on where to go but, I have used a bobber and nightmare jig 1/8 ounce # 63 aerojig you can pick them up at bimart. also a small orange corky with some white yarn has been successful or drifting a sand shrimp tail, or small pink worm either on a sliding bobber or drift it. with a little weight about 18 to 24 inches

 

[18406ej]

J hustle,

Welcome to OFF. While you await more information here from your new friends, have a look through our archives which have a plethora* of steelhead info, including banking suggestions near you.

Welcome again,

EJ

*100 points for use of "plethora"

 

[Big3d]

I know fall coho run the T but for steel you'll probably need to head to the cla k or Willy

 

[Steeliekiller]

I live in the tigard area. The closest steel water I've found is the clack. I'd advise heading up river an swing some smaller spoons or spinners. With the water being lower an clear small presentation seem to work better with what yogi was saying. Good luck out there.

 

[troutdude]

The Clack and the Sandy, are the nearest streams for summer steel. Whatever OFFerings that you toss into the drink...think small. Otherwise, you'll spook the fish.

Good luck, and welcome to OFF.

P.S. Grab yourself a new 11th Edition of "Fishing in Oregon". It's the "bible", of fishing here in our state. You'll learn a lot, and fast. Then, you'll be better prepared.

 

[ChezJfrey]

I live in the tigard area. The closest steel water I've found is the clack. I'd advise heading up river an swing some smaller spoons or spinners. With the water being lower an clear small presentation seem to work better with what yogi was saying. Good luck out there.

I also live in Tigard, and spend most time fishing for steel on the Clack as well. At this time of the year, I think the best bets would be from about Carver, upward. And fairly small and dark hardware is definitely recommended. Got one today using a size 2, black spinner. Small, dark jigs should work as well, in the right places.

 

[jhustle4u]

Hey thanks for responding. So from Carver up. I'm not asking for your "secret spot" or anything, but is there any parks or well known bankfishing spots that I could google for directions because I just don't know the rivers well enough yet. As far as tackle, I'm assuming I'm not using bait with the spinners, but what about the jigs? And would I be floating/drifting the jigs? Also, any bankfishing spots not too far out on the Columbia that I might be worth trying?

 

[jhustle4u]

Thanks for the advice troutdude. I'll check out that book too.

 

[ChezJfrey]

Hey thanks for responding. So from Carver up. I'm not asking for your "secret spot" or anything, but is there any parks or well known bankfishing spots that I could google for directions because I just don't know the rivers well enough yet. As far as tackle, I'm assuming I'm not using bait with the spinners, but what about the jigs? And would I be floating/drifting the jigs? Also, any bankfishing spots not too far out on the Columbia that I might be worth trying?

For starters, try Barton Park, Bonnie Lure Park, McIver Park. Of the three, if you don't have a great familiarity in direction to the river, you may want to skip Bonnie Lure because you'll have to navigate quite a ways in a habitrail of tall grass to find the river. The other two parks (Barton and McIver) don't have that issue and the river is right there. That book mentioned shows many of the access points for rivers throughout Oregon.

I don't use bait on spinners, but I believe some people might tip a very small chunk of nightcrawler on them. Jigs are run under a float. And I think many newcomers don't fish spoons/spinners deep enough in the water, but that might be less of an issue in the summer with the shallow water. Try using 1/3 oz or 1/4 oz spoons and size 1 to 3 of spinners during summer days like we've been having. Winter is usually a different story.

I'd suggest looking around at some sites that talk about steelhead techniques and rigging (there are tons), to get an idea how to set up float/jig and other basic techniques for fishing hardware. There are plenty of posts here too, under the steelhead sub-forum, that address some rigging/fishing techniques specifically for steelhead.

 

[Silvers&Steelies]

Everything ChezJFrey said is very helpful. Depending on the days in the summer there will be a lot of tube floaters from Barton down to Carver. McIver is a great place to learn and talk to other people but can get very crowded on weekends. Also check out the Steelhead Stalkers website. These guys are on here and have great fishing and rigging videos. They are also local to Oregon.