Steelhead 2023 show off

[jamisonace]

I've been picking them up here and there but definitely slow. Everyone I've talked to that fishes for a living says this is the worst year they've ever seen. I do agree with Chris though. next 45 - 60 days could see improvement. Fingers crossed.

My last fish was a pretty fun one but I didn't take a photo. I launched at Cleveland Rapids around 4pm on Friday. A guide buddy of mine was just taking out and there was some jackass anchored right in the middle of the drift about 200 yards downstream. I figured I'd just make short passes between the rapids and they anchored boat so I pulled out across the current and cast back towards the beach where I launched. As I pass my buddy he looks back from the shore and waves and turns back around. About 10 seconds later my rod buries and I stand up and start fighting the fish by myself. I hear my friend's guest say to him, "That guy's already got one!" I don't think my friend was too thrilled for me because he never even looked up from what he was doing. I'm guessing it wasn't a banner day for them since 2 or 3 fish a day is considered a success and me getting one in the first 30 seconds wasn't exactly making his day.

So then I'm floating down directly towards this anchored boat. I'm by myself. And I was all too happy to kindly ask them to get off anchor so I could pass by. They were super friendly but how does anyone think anchoring in the middle of the most popular drift on the Umpqua system is OK?

I should have gone right back to the truck after I released that fish and went home. It's common knowledge that if you catch a steelhead or salmon on your first cast you will not catch another all day.....maybe all weekend because I went the next morning before heading to the coast for crab and lingcod and got skunked.

 

[hobster]

It's too early to quit. I've only been once and only got a few trout. March and early April have been good to me in the past.

This is true, but life is getting busy. I usually try to get out a couple of times in March, April used to be good as well but the runs are so poor right now. The trap counts at our local river are so dismal it is discouraging. I’ve only got one shot to get out in the next three weeks so I’m going for it but that will probably be it for me. Springers are coming!

 

[jamisonace]

This is true, but life is getting busy. I usually try to get out a couple of times in March, April used to be good as well but the runs are so poor right now. The trap counts at our local river are so dismal it is discouraging. I’ve only got one shot to get out in the next three weeks so I’m going for it but that will probably be it for me. Springers are coming!

2 years ago was the worst return ever, now this year is worse. Discouraging describes it well but it's thinking about the long term possibilities of these runs that has me the most discouraged. Hopefully they're right about the Mckenzie springer forecast.

 

[hobster]

2 years ago was the worst return ever, now this year is worse. Discouraging describes it well but it's thinking about the long term possibilities of these runs that has me the most discouraged. Hopefully they're right about the Mckenzie springer forecast.

I totally agree, the long term possibilities are not only discouraging, but mighty depressing. Let’s hope things turn around soon!

 

[Creeker]

This year was my first year putting it all together and really finding fish so I’d been super curious about how people felt about the runs to add some context. I don’t have many fishing buddies so access to reports can be a little tough to come by so I’ve been in the dark. Where can I find more info on annual runs, past and present? I’ve beat the bank pretty hard and managed to hook 12 and land 11 so far on a variety of techniques. Not super crazy but considering it doubles my previous best year’s numbers, I’m pretty happy with it. This year also stood out to me in terms of the size of the fish. Another cool part of this year was getting my mom her first steelhead. Her second trip out and she hooked and landed this fish. Was 12 lbs on the dot when we weighed it. She’s hooked for sure.

 

[hobster]

Had a great day on the river! I hit one of my favorite holes and a few fish were waiting for me. I hooked a fairly large buck which took a while to wake up, but when it did, boy did it! Spit my hook after a nice aerial show. 2 casts later landed this chrome hen, great eggs and meat! Another interesting landing where I dragged her up between some rocks. About 20 minutes later I hooked another buck, which was a tad dark so I decided to release it. Felt like the old days when you could hook several fish in a day. Not sure if I can get back out there anytime soon but if not, what a great way to end the season!

 

[hobster]

This year was my first year putting it all together and really finding fish so I’d been super curious about how people felt about the runs to add some context. I don’t have many fishing buddies so access to reports can be a little tough to come by so I’ve been in the dark. Where can I find more info on annual runs, past and present? I’ve beat the bank pretty hard and managed to hook 12 and land 11 so far on a variety of techniques. Not super crazy but considering it doubles my previous best year’s numbers, I’m pretty happy with it. This year also stood out to me in terms of the size of the fish. Another cool part of this year was getting my mom her first steelhead. Her second trip out and she hooked and landed this fish. Was 12 lbs on the dot when we weighed it. She’s hooked for sure.

Nice fish! 11 for 12 is quite an accomplishment, I would be super stoked to have that hook up to landing ratio. It’s been a pretty rough year, but I’m sure you gathered that from this thread.

 

[O. mykiss]

This year was my first year putting it all together and really finding fish so I’d been super curious about how people felt about the runs to add some context. I don’t have many fishing buddies so access to reports can be a little tough to come by so I’ve been in the dark. Where can I find more info on annual runs, past and present? I’ve beat the bank pretty hard and managed to hook 12 and land 11 so far on a variety of techniques. Not super crazy but considering it doubles my previous best year’s numbers, I’m pretty happy with it. This year also stood out to me in terms of the size of the fish. Another cool part of this year was getting my mom her first steelhead. Her second trip out and she hooked and landed this fish. Was 12 lbs on the dot when we weighed it. She’s hooked for sure.

You’ve done well considering the poor runs. On good years, multiple hookups in a day are the norm. I know my local rivers very well and it’s been a grind. I’ve fished 3 days total. One day I went 2/3 both natives. Second trip, I fished hard and only caught the me cutthroat. Today my son and I went 3/3 under fantastic water conditions that’s should have yielded 5-6 fish. Keep on doing what you’re doing. On a good year, you’re going to smash it!

 

[O. mykiss]

My son and I went out today and got lucky to find 3 fish. One pretty little summer steelhead, a dark big buck in the 12-13 lb class, and a beautiful 10ish lb buck.

 

[Creeker]

Nice fish! 11 for 12 is quite an accomplishment, I would be super stoked to have that hook up to landing ratio. It’s been a pretty rough year, but I’m sure you gathered that from this thread.

I do a lot of bobber and jig fishing and fish just seemed to get hooked so well and stay pinned. I did look through last year’s steelhead show off and definitely took note of how many more posts it had, upsetting to say the least.

 

[hobster]

And last year wasn’t even that goodI love jigs as well, they are my go to with a bobber. They definitely stay pinned, I love how the jig runs upside down and almost always hooks them solid in the upper jaw. Bobber dogging is a great technique, but I see so many fish get lost with that method

 

[Creeker]

You’ve done well considering the poor runs. On good years, multiple hookups in a day are the norm. I know my local rivers very well and it’s been a grind. I’ve fished 3 days total. One day I went 2/3 both natives. Second trip, I fished hard and only caught the me cutthroat. Today my son and I went 3/3 under fantastic water conditions that’s should have yielded 5-6 fish. Keep on doing what you’re doing. On a good year, you’re going to smash it!

I’m excited for what good year would be like then! Happy to have the success I’ve had but it’s sucks to hear about the poor runs. That’s awesome you guys got into em today, nice fish!

 

[jamisonace]

My son and I went out today and got lucky to find 3 fish. One pretty little summer steelhead, a dark big buck in the 12-13 lb class, and a beautiful 10ish lb buck.

Amazing day! Well done. I'd kill for a 3 fish day this year.

 

[scched]

1 for 2 yesterday. Had this gal out of the water just long enough for a quick pic and swam away immediately

 

[O. mykiss]

View attachment 639802

1 for 2 yesterday. Had this gal out of the water just long enough for a quick pic and swam away immediately

She’s clearly never missed a meal!

 

[brandon4455]

My son and I have gotten into a good amount of fish this winter. Proud dad having him net fish for me all on his own. Wish I had more photos! A couple of our best days I had a dead cellular device. Been fortunate to put as many fish in the net as I have, some days we’ve been skunked some days we’ve made up for 3 skunks in as many hours. Inconsistent but there are fish to be caught

Have hooked fish on pretty much everything. Jigs, worms, beads, spinners, spoons.

 

[scched]

Great fish!

 

[Trout Slayer_7]

Buck on my 6 wt Spey rod, taped 40inches by 21 inches.

 

[scched]

what a hog; water looks clear behind you, could you seem him laid up prior or was he holding down deep?