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Steelhead in Indian Country
Anyone who has drifted from Warm Springs to Trout Creek, anyone who has swung a fly at South Junction or bounced through White Horse Rapids has seen Al Bagley or one of his boats, working River Left.
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For Spring Steelhead Action, Go Early and Often
Gary Lewis and Mia Sheppard Spring Steelhead fly fishing on the Sandy River in Oregon. Spey fishing on a downstream swing.
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Beaver Pelts and Bobber-doggin’
The hunt for “chromer” steelhead on the mainstem Umpqua.
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A Guide to Deschutes Steelhead
The 252-mile Deschutes is a river of many moods, draining a large part of central Oregon on its way to the Columbia. Bighorns and mule deer are often seen on the canyon walls. Chukar call from the rimrocks and wild turkey live among the oaks that line the tributaries. The river is known for blue-ribbon…
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To the Craft Store for Steelhead, Salmon and Trout
I was interested in beads for steelhead, but I didn’t feel I needed to get deep into a new system, when I have a garage full of tackle already. Then I met Loren Dunbar, one of the founders of the Hevi Bead system. Dunbar moved to Eastern Washington from Colorado 18 years ago and started…
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Unexpected Gifts – Steelhead in Prose and Otherwise
Steelhead rivers have always been my escape and that is why I was drawn to a book called Steelhead Fly Angling with the subtitle Not your grandpa’s primer on how to catch steelhead.
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Jousting with Steelhead
Late in the morning we switched to pink plastic worms, which Palmer says has become his go-to bait when the fish won’t touch eggs. Kremers touched a fish right away and then, at straight-up noon, a streak of rainbow-splashed chrome slammed my bait.
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Beaver Pelts and Bobber-Doggin’ on the Umpqua
In 1832 the Hudson’s Bay Company built a fort that was to become the southernmost outpost of the fur company’s influence. From here the HBC controlled the trade for beaver on the Umpqua, the Rogue and the Klamath. And the beaver pelt became the medium of exchange until the winds of fashion in Europe changed.…
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All Aboard – For Steelhead on the Wallowa River
It wasn’t going to be easy. We took a left turn at La Grande and headed for Minam, but not before we stopped at the Mt. Emily Ale House, eight of us armed with long rods and chest waders. Jerry Grant introduced himself, a fisheries biologist turned brewmeister with creations like Heifer-Weizen, Paleface Ale, and…
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Summer Steelhead are Suckers for the Right Spinner
It was already warm when I stepped from the truck at 7:00 in the morning. Heavy clouds kept the warmth of the previous day from escaping in the night. I was wearing camouflage, all gray, to help me pass for a rock. The water was low and the rip-rapped channel provided no cover to hide…
Field Guide
Steelhead
They call it the fish of a thousand casts. The steelhead is one of the most exciting—and frustrating fish to go for. Steelhead fishing techniques are important to know before your first steelhead fishing trip, and you can find them here. Whether you’re fishing for steelhead in eastern Oregon on the Wallowa or the Deschutes or fishing the coast—Gary’s steelhead fishing tips and stories can help you get inspired about your fishing trip, as well as informed on what you need to know!