10-25 SS Reading Water 2

During yesterday's conversation with Josh Mills, he brought up the 80/20 rule of fishing, and he suggested that 20% of the anglers catch 80% of the fish, and as it relates to steelhead fishing, particularly this time of the year, success has a lot to do with the ability of the angler to read water. Steelhead on their way up river from the ocean are traditionally going to lie in specific places year in and year out. Obviously, knowing where the fish are lying is going to lead to success. But there are so many factors that determine where steelhead are going to be lying in the river. Such things as laying behind a rock so as to deflect strong currents. These fish aren't stupid. "They are going to use as little energy as possible so long as oxygen is being carried their way by the river. They are not having to eat at that time, they may just eat a little bit. They do not physiologically have to. Another thing. You want to look at is where are you in comparison to the rapids because these fish will stage before a rapid, jump through it, and then they need to find rest water. They have expended all of that energy getting through that fast water, so they are going to be looking up and trying to find lanes where they can expend the least amount of energy. Outside bends and inside bends are great, you also want to look for nice boulder gardens by looking for a big chop on the water, even paste water speed which is about walking speed and generally that is where you're going to find most steelhead and Chinook.