Salmon Trout Steelheader Podcast: Recent Episodes
salmontroutsteelheader
Lucas reads Matt Straws article in GLANGLER.com "That Temperature Thing" which talks about how Steelhead react in the Great Lakes based on water temps. This information does relate over to the Pacific Coast Steelhead as well.
This episode was recorded while out fishing with Tyler Kraft, guide from Tyler Kraft Sportfishing. It was an incredible morning landing some prime upriver Bright Chinook Salmon. In this episode Tyler talks about how he runs several different baits and goes with key color patterns to get more bites. The results are undeniable, if there is fish biting, Tyler is likely one of the people hooking them.
An on the river episode with host Lucas Holmgren and Andrew Schnell. Something major happens near the end of the episode! Also loaded with great information about hook selection and stinger hooks for float fishing salmon as well as bobber sizing.
One of the most incredible fisheries in the world is Sturgeon in the mighty Columbia River. In this episode, Guide Cliff Sallee discusses Sturgeon and the type of water he finds them in, as well as gives a run-down of early Fall Chinook Salmon Boat Fishing techniques. You can book with Cliff Sallee w/ Reel Adrenaline Guide Service by visiting his website https://reeladrenaline.fishing/
Use code: STSPOD to get the 1-year digital subscription to Salmon Trout Steelheader on www.salmontroutsteelheader.com - Read or listen to the entire magazine.
"My introduction to the effectiveness of using spawn sacs—clusters of eggs tied into a neat, little packages with mesh cloth—for steelhead came in very dramatic and impressive fashion. "
Hosted by Lucas Holmgren
So far so good...Summer Steelhead continues to be excellent! Lucas reads a small excerpt from "Run and Gun Steelhead" by Scott Haugen.
Is it just a high-water year? OR could this be the start of an epic Summer Steelhead run? Thanks to Lamiglas Fishing Rods for sponsoring this episode! Make sure you check out the LX96MS, HS94MS and GP10MS (Or MC for the casting models!) The numbers at Willamette Falls are looking like we might have something special going on this year...are you ready?
An article by Darryl Choronzey explains their findings while watching Cameras underwater trolling the Great Lakes. Although this article is focused on Lake Trout - this section discusses other species habits as well for following trolled lures in the open Lake - Steelhead (Rainbow Trout), Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon and Lake Trout are discussed.
Something often overlooked is recording what lures and methods did not work and how long you attempted to catch fish with these items. This is how my teammates finally convinced me that meat rigs weren’t producing as well as I thought.Read by Lucas Holmgren
This interesting technique of drift fishing helps avoid driving hooks into sticks and rocks and allows for quicker detection of stealthy bites from Salmon and Steelhead. It's an interesting idea that is part of an article from the Salmon Trout Steelheader website. Read by Host Lucas Holmgren
Part of Bob Rees plug fishing article is featured, as well as some notes on recent fishing - including our latest video with Tyler Kraft and Tony Amato. Some phenomenal days have happened in 2024 for Steelhead - let's hope it's a good sign of things to come! Thanks for listening - Lucas Holmgren
FIXED and REUPLOADED
After a tough day of covering a long float on the Olympic Peninsula, Keith Andrew and Lucas reflect on the difficulties in finding fish behind other boats and how they approach it. Other topics like first steelhead are discussed. An excellent weekend of fishing - this episode was recorded the day after the previous episode.
A number of topics are discussed the night before a Steelhead trip on the Olympic Peninsula of Washingtons Pacific Coast. Keith, Andrew and Lucas discuss various Steelhead techniques, focusing in a bit on bobber-dogging 6 inch worms for Steelhead, which can be an excellent way to target big Wild Steelhead in higher water, which were the conditions of the day. One more episode to come from this same trip!
An inspired account of one large steelhead and the feeling of the catch. Something that any Steelheader who finds a large specimen can feel. Lucas discusses this article and landing big steelhead.
A long-time disagreement between various groups, hatchery supplementation and wild-fish only advocates have long been at war with each other. There can be a balance of ideas though when it comes to Broodstocking and Wild Steelhead rivers. This is only the opinion of the host and does not necessarily represent the opinion of Salmon Trout Steelheader.
The last episode I published had issues - so I've done a short update about early season Steelhead in Washington and Oregon. Thanks for listening!
With major expertise and experience in Mountaineering, Andrew Schnell brings Outdoor mastery to the sport of Steelhead Fishing. The demanding hikes and hard rivers to access are the ones that he loves to explore. His hard work researching and putting in serious wading and hiking time, has resulted in a large number of River Steelhead. Lucas interviews Andrew about his recommendations for covering serious water in the winter and catching Steelhead.
Another great opportunity to talk with the Legend of STS! Frank Amato has been responsible for a massive amount of fishing content about Salmon, Trout and Steelhead especially. In this episode, I was able to meet up with the man himself in the office and talk about his early days of fishing. BONUS - learn about the brand new Lamiglas Spiral Wrapped Rod!
A quick thank you to all of the Podcast listeners, as well as a bit about my preparation for Winter Steelhead. Some Cutthroat talk and general ramblings about why I'm thankful for you - the listener.
The infamous B-Run of Coho (Silver) Salmon is full of aggressive, biter fish! In this episode, Lucas talks about their life-cycle and the current status of 2023 Coho. He also interviews his six-year old daughter about her experience catching a B-Run Coho Salmon in 2020. We are almost at 100K Downloads!! Please tell your friends and share your favorite episodes with them! Do you want us to continue? Email us at lucasholmgrenmedia@gmail.com to suggest ideas for future episodes!
After the tragic passing of Tom Posey, Jose Ruelas has carried on the legacy of Dick & Tom Posey. In this interview we talk about the expansion of the brand into different areas of the country, various models and the future of the company. A new era has arrived, and Lamiglas is doing great things with design, fulfillment, customer service and legacy! Interview with Lucas Holmgren and Jose Ruelas. Mentions of Roger Hinchcliff, Sean Kearny etc.
With 35 years of Guiding Experience for Salmon and Steelhead, Scott Amerman has seen the ups and downs of salmonoid runs in Oregon State. He has begun a lawsuit against ODFW to maintain what they have promised in the past in regards to restrictions. Yet the Commercial fisheries of Alaska and Canada have over-harvested the Oregon Salmon Runs...yet the Salmon return in big numbers! You can contribute to his lawsuit to keep fishing opportunity available and donate through Paypal: siletzanglersassociation@yahoo.com
Request a tax donation form by emailing the same address. Or mail a check to: SAA 82581 Rodgers rd Creswell, Or. 97426
You can contact and order eggs from Scott as well.
Scott@amermaneggs.com
A discussion of the subject of fishing rod sensitivity. How graphite and fiberglass affect the "feel" of a fishing rod. This episode is based on the various factors that affect how you can feel a sinker or bite through a fishing rod. Based on 5+ years of work in the fishing rod industry, Lucas talks about this subject.
Keeping it simple for weight, color and style is gospel when twitching for trout. After doing research (reading all I could find) and taking journal notes for six years, two weights have worked best. Eight species of trout in 100 plus lakes, March through November. One-eighths and ¼ ounce will be your “working tools” in 90% of all conditions and situations. These weights are easily cast, sink at ideal rates and seem to fit into the attraction threshold- small enough to attract, but not too large to possibly repel.
Lucas talks about the perils of getting those lock-jawed early A-Run Coho (Silver) Salmon to bite! Although it can be tough, there are ways to get those fish to snap. Whether it be repeated casts, or switching up to various lures, sizes and colors, there is a chance to get those fish to snap. It is certainly not easy, but in this podcast, Lucas discusses certain methods that are worth trying to get a bite when A-Run Coho are rolling all around you!
Unfortunately, many people mistake a near-spawn Chinook (King) Salmon for the famed "Ivory" or "White King". In reality, there is a massive difference.
All Chinook, whether red or white, will eventually lose nutritional value and turn a mushy, pale white color. The "Tules" of the Columbia River are famous for turning to white meat, even while they are still chrome on the outside.
This can be confusing, but true Ivory Kings are still fatty and oily until they get close to spawn. This is info that is good to spread with your friends - please send them this podcast to clear this up!
Support this podcast by subscribing to Salmon Trout Steelheader Magazine at www.salmontroutsteelheader.com
Lucas Holmgren reads an article by Scott Haugen about the Egegik River and Becharof Lodge. This fishery is phenomenal for numbers and delicious meat with generous limits. This is a great place to learn new techniques and enjoy hearty meals and good times with good people. There is a video on the STS Youtube channel about the Egegik River - just search "Fishing Worlds Best Coho River"
An article examining the idea of the "pink worm" and alternative colors that work very well. This is written by the host Lucas Holmgren, along with additional commentary about fishing experiences and some secrets shared along the way!
Steelhead are all the same right? Well...yes and no. There are two major "runs" of steelhead that are differentiated as "Ocean-maturing" and "River-maturing" meaning, some are ready to reproduce quickly upon entering the river, others enter the river with many months to go. In this episode, Lucas explains these differences, as well as the run-timings in the Columbia River as an example. They are varied, but all Steelhead are beautiful!
An article by Bill Herzog, read by Lucas Holmgren called "Fish Lips" featured in STS. This discusses the fact that moving steelhead can hold in the very back of tailouts, just before dropping into the next run!
This episode is based off a biological paper discussing barriers to salmon and steelhead migration. Many factors, such as temperatures, turbidity and dissolved oxygen can have an affect on whether or not salmon and steelhead continue upstream on their migration.
These biological aspects of salmon and steelhead are helpful to understanding the species, and can play into an anglers toolbox for understanding when & where to fish. This episode is created, produced and edited by Lucas Holmgren.
JD Richey discusses the importance of using sinkers when flat-lining plugs in certain areas of the river. Especially important are low and slow holes with uneven bottoms. Sometimes a sinker on a dropper can get a plug like a Flatfish, Kwikfish or Maglip into the zone, and this holds true for Spring Chinook, Summer Chinook, Fall Chinook and Winter Chinook! When you can't get your flatlined plug down, consider using one of these subtle sinker methods to get in the zone, without anchoring the bottom.
This is an editorial from a past STS issue about dealing with snags and hangups, written by Nick Amato and narrated by Lucas Holmgren. It may seem a simple subject, and it is, but it is one we have all dealt with as anglers. Sometimes it's good to bring perspective to basic concepts. In this article you'll hear the standard techniques behind dealing with hangups and snags.
Two advanced anglers discuss the details surrounding Spring King Fishing. Although this is directed at Columbia River Fisheries, it really does apply to Coastal Salmon fishing and even the Great Lakes. Jarod is a wealth of knowledge and knows his fisheries well. Bill is a talented angler, but not afraid to ask questions and learn more from the young giant! The best way to support this Podcast is to subscribe to STS!
Cameron Black from Addicted Fishing & Gone Catchin' Guide Service discusses the top three most important tactics to catch more Kokanee. Sometimes people pay too much attention to factors that aren't actually as important to catching fish. In reality, speed, depth and lure size are often the biggest factors. Listen as he discusses these factors - narrated by Lucas Holmgren
Utilizing wood structure for Steelhead is key to understanding where they lie in a river. Sometimes even a little twig sticking in the river can create a line that steelhead hang behind. Roger explains the importance of fishing wood structure and examining it during summer low-water months. Lucas narrates this Great Lakes Angler article from the magazine!
Are the anglers that fished back decades ago really that talented? Or are they the beneficiaries of excellent runs of fish when any half-way decent angler could catch fish back-to-back? In this episode, Lucas describes his experiences fishing with Bill Herzog and what he noticed about his expertise.
There's no better feeling as a parent as watching your children reel in salmon or steelhead! I've had the pleasure of watching my 5 year old daughter reel in a big Coho, and my 7 year old son reel in a gorgeous Winter Steelhead! In this episode I talk a bit about that, as well as our new LIVE FEED from Salmon Trout Steelheader. You can watch it live on Tuesdays on Facebook, or catch archived episodes on Youtube!
Duane Inglin, the host of Fish Hunt Northwest is interviewed by Lucas Holmgren about his show as well as some great information on bait. Duane discusses the proper care of eggs, freezing, thawing them, how long they keep in the fridge and a few tips of when and when not to add scents. Check out Duane's podcast and TV show Fish Hunt Northwest and tell them STS sent you!
Roger Hinchcliff is interviewed by Lucas Holmgren discussing both fixed floats and slip floats. Also discussed is steelhead water, colors, metabolisms of steelhead and the fall run of 2022 in the Great Lakes. Roger is a wealth of information who does more steelhead seminars than anyone in the Great Lakes. Learn little details to add to your knowledge arsenal and catch more fish!
Lael Paul Johnson and Keith Johnson break down past steelhead fishing experiences and talk about the 2023 winter steelhead run including trophies caught already! From gear fishing to swinging flies for trophy steelhead, there's a lot discussed on a February evening right before another day of steelhead fishing! New info on FYSH Foundation! Please let us know what you think by commenting and sharing with your friends!
www.flygyde.com
The art of reading steelhead water is one of the most important factors for actually catching steelhead. Once you find steelhead, as long as they're not spooked, they are actually pretty aggressive toward baits, but fishing places they don't hold is a sure way to catch less steelhead. The highly talented angler Tyler Kraft discusses his favorite areas to find steelhead depending on conditions. Lucas Holmgren asks questions and provides some input as well. If you like this episode please share it with friends and comment!
An article written by Josiah Darr speaking about his first experience fishing beads for steelhead, and how he came to examine different aspects. Discussed are subjects like mono vs. flouro, pegged or sliding, soft vs hard bead? This is some good insight into the basics of steelhead beads, but much more can be found in Randy Bonners book "The Bead Bible" available from Amato Books.
Kelly Wilson - known on Instagram as @riverwarrior87 is a fish-bum, bank maggot who catches hundreds of salmon and steelhead a year. Listen as he discusses how he approaches new rivers, favorite colors for B-Run Coho, bead options, differences between hatchery and wild steelhead lures.
There are many ways to fish for coho. Be open to alternative techniques if your go-to method fails! I’ve only listed a few that have been successful to me. You may have better options. The idea is to use the technique the fish want. In the last column we talked about twitchin’ for coho, which is my absolute favorite method to use for several reasons. But just because it’s my favorite does not mean it’s going to be the most effective when I hit the water. There can be several factors which tells me not to twitch, such as the speed of the current, depth of the hole, bottom structure, or those damn fish just won’t bite my jig! In these circumstances I need to expand my arsenal and figure out the best method and lure for that particular day. If not a jig, that means most likely a spinner or spoon, but there are many different types to choose from so we’ll go through those in this month’s column.
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There’s those lucky “in-betweeners,” as I wrote about in a recent issue of STS. The times when salmon and steelhead occupy the same river system, at the same time.
The typical “target” species could really be a variety where I live. In South-west Washington I’ve lots of options, from the tidewater of the Columbia River, to the tributaries that flow into it. With that watershed to play with, it’s hard to go anywhere else.
At the same time, though fall can be very productive, it can also be tough to dial in the timing on the fish. Not that you can’t find them, on the contrary, fall salmon are typically the easiest to find as they will usually make themselves known.
Jumping out of the water doesn’t mean biting though. That’s where things get tough.
Lucas and Roger Hinchcliff remember Tom Posey and talk about their experiences with Tom while working for Lamiglas Inc. Tom was the President of Lamiglas and made a number of changes and updates to the company that revitalized the brand and rods. Tom came from a real estate background and reinvented the brand through innovation and an updated business model. He was a big-time supporter of Salmon Trout Steelheader. Sadly, he passed away in June of 2022. He will be missed.
Talkin' about the almight steelhead. Roger Hinchcliff of Lamiglas Rods and Steelhead Manifesto is interviewed by Lucas Holmgren about the different traits of steelhead that make them unique, Great Lakes vs Pacific Northwest Steelhead, and beads/jigs/bait. Roger discusses colors, sense of smell, hearing and sight with our favorite fish.
The Stability Zone "Shangri-La for Kings" by Matt Straw There is another dimension, between time and space, between the swells and the lake’s floor. It’s the middle ground between emptiness and bait. It’s a place called…the Stability Zone.
Learn about King Salmon and Ideal Temperatures for stable salmon fishing.
Fish with Jared Cady - www.bigskyanglers.com. Jared talks the techniques and holding water of Brown Trout and Rainbows in storied watersheds like Idaho's Henry's Fork and the Madison River. From the size of the flies to the species of bugs, listen as Jared talks one of the best trout fisheries on planet earth.
Written by Lucas Holmgren, this episode addresses the challenges that Salmon Face just to get back to the spawning redd. This and other articles are available to read on www.salmontroutsteelheader.com
"Being a Good Netman" is an article written by Randy Bonner, author of "The Bead Fishing Bible". Learn a few of the tactics that make for a successful net job when the time comes for you to take that role.
Lucas caught Big Dave at the Portland Sportsman's Show where he asked Big Dave Manners about Spring Chinook Fishing.
The reason I love fishing, is it keeps my egotistical ass humble.
What about you guys? Let us know at customerservice@amatobooks.com
From a deadly niche-technique, to a West Coast phenomenon, “Twitching” has added a new tool in many coho (silver) salmon anglers arsenals. This technique has been covered in STS before, and there are many excellent resources to learn more about the basic twitching technique.
Basic Twitching
Here is a quick breakdown of basic twitching.
- Cast into your target water
- Do not allow your jig to hit bottom, instead twitch at least 12 inches from bottom and up.
- Lift the rod tip quickly and drop it immediately. Your line should fall slack for a natural drop. Do not slowly drop your rod tip.
- Reel after the drop and twitch again. If you’re in danger of touching bottom (for instance, when casting upstream) reel in more line. If you’re upstream of your jig, you may not need to reel much at all. Just make sure you don’t let it snag on bottom.
- Cover water quickly and try to cover the hole from a few different angles.
This could be expounded upon dramatically, but let’s move past the standard twitching technique to look at some other ways to fish twitching jigs.
Why change it up? When I started twitching I rarely saw other anglers using the technique (I was the first!!! Just kidding…), but now almost every angler I run into has a rod tied up for twitching. By utilizing some other styles, you can give the fish something different to look at.
An interview with one of the best 360 flasher anglers in the Northwest. Not a guide, just an excellent angler. We talk about the details that makes 360 flashers special. Either Pro-Troll, Shortbus or even the new Brads Flashers....it's an excellent technique to catch loads of chinook and coho on a trolling setup. You can even anchor with a 360! Tyler has figured out the technique and perfected it. He catches loads of fish on the Columbia River with 360 flashers...so listen up!
Question & Answer with Lucas. A listener asks about catching Coho Salmon (silvers) in low clear water. It's a great question and has a few answers depending on the conditions. A-Run coho can be notoriously difficult to get to bite, but it can happen.
Between plugs, spoons and a whole lot of repetitive casting you can get a chance, but the later Coho still bite great in low water.
Thanks for the question! Send your questions to customerservice@amatobooks.com - subject: Podcast Question
The wild Bear Guide from Becharof Lake (Egegik River) area. George Joy has chased Coastal Brown Bears in the Alaska Bristol Bay region - he has had a few close encounters of the bear kind! From hunting the wild Grizzly's of Alaska to Moose hunting in the Alaskan Tundra...guiding Salmon & Commercial Fishing in the Ocean...George is a true outdoorsman who has experienced the wild in a serious way.
A high-energy guy and the co-owner of Becharof Lodge!
A long-time guest of the Becharof Lodge & Egegik River, Scott Haugen (Outdoor TV Personality & Writer) discusses fishing for coho (silver) salmon. Everything from jigs, bait, beads, plugs & more are discussed.
Scott talks about the opportunity to try new things on an especially epic Alaskan River that flows into Bristol Bay. Even though Bristol Bay is known for epic Sockeye Runs...the Coho (Silver) Salmon fishing is World Class!!
Listen as Lucas interviews Scott about the intricacies of fishing coho in the lower 48 and Alaska.
Mark Korpi, co-owner of Becharof lodge, discusses the logisitics of building a fishing lodge in the middle of nowhere, where zero roads and electricity exist. The river has zero habitat interference, and the salmon are ridiculously plentiful. From propane and generators, to hot showers and amazing meals - somehow they make it work!
Listen as Lucas interviews Mark Korpi about the Becharof Lodge on the Egegik River and watch for footage with Scott Haugen on our Youtube channel!
Big Jarod is a massive resource on salmon and steelhead fishing. In this podcast, we catch Jarod at the NSIA Banquet, talking about salmon fishing and how temperatures affect salmon fishing. All is not lost when temps got too high, you've just got to adjust your program. Listen as Jarod talks about the Yakima Bait Mag Lip and doing R&D fishing with Buzz Ramsey.
Justin Wolff has produced close to 500 episodes of Angler West TV - a West Coast fishing favorite on TV and Youtube. His career has brought him all over the world, although he's always loved Salmon, Trout & Steelhead. Listen as Lucas talks to Justin about the opportunities he's had, previous radio shows & what he does behind the scenes to make the show Angler West TV happen.
Check out Justin's store in Woodland Washington - Angler West TV Store which has all sorts of great fishing tackle and bait. Justin is often in the store and you can meet him if you stop by at the right time. Let us know if you enjoy his show!
Nick Amato is interviewed about where Summer Steelhead hold in the rivers in early season and dead of summer. Nick discusses his experiences looking for steelhead as well as early Chinook and Coho under low water conditions.
Nick is the editor of Salmon Trout Steelheader and Great Lakes Angler Magazine.
Ruben Estavillo makes breakfast and talks about the fishing opportunity with Coho and Chinook Salmon on the Quinault Reservation. Ruben has guided the Quinault and Queets for decades and is dialed in on the tidal movements of Coho and Chinook - he discusses those in this short but interesting interview.
Finessing the Spin-Glo by Larry Ellis
When the Worden Floating Lure Company, now owned by Yakima Bait Company, invented the Spin-N-Glo, little did they know that the lure would become one of the company’s bestselling, let alone top-producing lure.
I always have said that if a person had never heard of a Spin-N-Glo, they need to go out and get an education all over again.
The winged bobber has steelhead magic written all over it as defined by its name.
It had gone through several name changes before the final moniker was chosen.
“The man who actually named this lure the “Spin-N-Glo” was a guy named Leo Ryan,” said Howard Worden in one of his many stories that he told me. Howard marketed and developed the Spin-N-Glo after his father invented it. “We were all trying to give the lure a different name, and Leo just said, ‘Well, it spins and it glows.’ So after that we decided to name the lure the Spin-N-Glo.”
It makes perfect sense, really. A perfect-sense name for a perfectly-spinning steelhead spinner—that just happens to float!
“A Spin-N-Glo really is a buoyant spinner,” says Buzz Ramsey, (former) brand manager of the Yakima Bait Co. “It allows guys, especially plunkers, who are ‘still fishing’ to cast out, and that Spin-N-Glo floats up right off the bottom where the fish are migrating upstream.”
An interview with Zac Kauffman of Sawyer Oars. Zac talks about the origins of Sawyer, the usage of wood, carbon and fiberglass. How the oars react in the water - and how they are designed.
They are a top shelf Oregon product, using Douglas firs.
The vivacious, and fun-loving Mary Posey is on the phone with Lucas, talking about her experience meeting and befriending Eric Clapton. Although she hasn't spoken to Eric Clapton in many years, since her sons funeral, she has had a wonderful friendship with him over the years. She speaks in depth about some of the struggles Eric had with his road crew, how he enjoyed fishing - how he even visited Woodland Washington and got treated by a doctor! Excellent story about Mary, Dick Posey and Eric Clapton!
A conversation with Keith Johnson and Zoey Johnson about fishing for winter steelhead in high water conditions. Including plugs, bobber-dogging, plunking. Summer steelhead fishing techniques, float fishing shrimp, and even flats fishing for tarpon are discussed. Check out the video coming soon to the STS Youtube channel.
The giants - the steelhead of winter and spring. Keith Johnson, fishing Guide on the Washington Coast, talks about the behavior of big, wild steelhead. He details his simple but effective tactics to fish for these aggressive steelhead optimally. Also discussed is the fishing restrictions and how tactics have had to adjust.
Keith Johnson talks about his relatively-recent guiding career and how he enjoys getting people into their first, or personal best steelhead - and loves to see them experience it.
Rowing a driftboat down a river and fishing for small river salmon & steelhead is a challenging task. Keith has worked hard to establish an excellent program over a broad spectrum of rivers to get the best shot at quality fish. From big chinook and coho, to summers and winter steelhead...the trophy fish are targeted!
There is a difference between a hot 6lb steelhead and a brutal 17lb buck. That much should be obvious, but it really becomes evident when you’re 10 feet above a giant rapid and that massive line-burner you just hooked turns towards it.
Then what do you do?
Some big fish will get ever-so-close, and then decide to turn around and stay in the hole you’re in. Others have every intention of heading down that rapid and saying goodbye to the elevation they’d just gained. At that point, you’d better make a power move.
Either way, you’d better be prepared for that. So let’s talk big steelhead.
One of the things I’ve come to find is, a big steelhead controls the conversation. A smaller, hot steelhead will burn line and give an excellent fight, but the minute you can turn its head you can gain some ground on it. With a big, or even giant steelhead, all it takes is laying into that current and it becomes ultra-hard to make any headway on that fish.
The sheer mass, the massive tail, the violent headshakes - those will keep you up at night.
There is a feeling in the rod when you hook one of those steelhead that goes beyond anything you’ve encountered before.
Listen to this article which is is featured in STS Feb-March 2021
An interview with Shane Anderson, a film maker of numerous steelhead films including "Wild Reverence" & "A Rivers Last Chance".
Shane discusses the challenges steelhead face, their life histories, his opinions on fishing opportunity, hatcheries, dams and everything related to steelhead.
Shane has a wealth of information about steelhead and historic populations. Included in the discussion is Klamath Chinook and Steelhead. The pre-dam Cowlitz and North Fork Lewis rivers, the Chehalis, the Olympic Peninsula, Rainbow Trout, the Elwha, and many others.
Jim Teeny is a fly fishing innovator who has caught salmon, trout and steelhead from California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska - to Canada and far beyond. In his quest for more bites he has developed fly fishing techniques that make maximum use of sink lines and small flies. His techniques have been studied by fly anglers the world over. In this episode he is interviewed at the Lamiglas factory while consulting with Tom Posey on their newest line of fly rods.
Spanning back to 1938, Columbia Sportswear was founded by Paul Lamfrom, the father of Gert Boyle, although it was formerly known as the Rosenfeldt Hat Company, and eventually the Columbia Hat Company. Columbia eventually broke away from hats by designing a Columbia Fishing Vest. Tim Boyle, son of the legendary Neal & Gert Boyle, became a part of the company after Neal's death. The company struggled for a few years, until they partnered with early Nike employees to improve their business and marketing management. From there, the company took off in a major fashion. Manufacturing fishing vests, jackets, shirts and a giant catalog of other products, Columbia has solidified itself as the premier outdoor clothing company.
Tim Boyle is a smart and intuitive businessman, interviewed here by Salmon Trout Steelheader founder Frank Amato. They recount the early days of the company, and Frank remembers meeting Tim's father Near. Columbia Sportswear as a brand is known world-wide, but it started in the city of Portland Oregon, where the headquarters remains to this day.
Salmon carcasses are a nutrient rich fertilizer. Beyond simply the nutrients they bring to the stream itself, they have been found to benefit nearby trees, Eagles, Bears, Insects and many other streamside species.
Salmon, as an ocean-going fish, bring nutrients from the ocean deep into the hills and forests of Coastal areas.
This article talks about the studies that led up to the practice of placing salmon carcasses streamside intentionally, in order to benefit fry, smolt, insects and other wildlife.
This was originally featured in the 1996 Aug/September issues of Salmon Trout Steelheader.
An informative article from 1996 by Dr. Colin Kageyama, an Optometrist, who discusses what happens to colors underwater. Dr. Colin describes the differences between the color red, and flourescent red. As colors fall lower in the water column, there are some things that happen to specific colors, that aren't commonly understood.
These color changes are relative to how close you are to the lure, as well as the color and turbidity of the water itself. This information helps anglers choose what lures to use depending on the conditions and depth of the water.
Read by Lucas, this article is about Alaskan chum fishing on the fly - their ferocious takes and mind-bending runs. An under-rated fly fishery!
A book about biology and conservation of wild steelhead, written by JD Mcphail. Available from www.Amatobooks.com all about steelhead. Migration, senses, behavior and other information about steelhead are all covered in this book. Excerpts read by Lucas about steelhead.
This episode is a discussion with Dave Harding of Portland Oregon about designing his new weight system for fishing. Dave created "Dave's Tangle Free" weights and has made over half-a-million weights thus far. He talks about the early days of being frustrated with tangles and snags, and his experimentation with different materials and terminal tackle to find the right fit. Please comment and like!
Landon Connorton, the creator of Washington Coon Shrimp talks about selecting and curing the best shrimp baits for sockeye, chinook and steelhead. Landon's product is extremely popular with anglers who have tried it but is only available on a limited basis through certain bait shops.
Jordan Knigge of Addicted Fishing and 168 Guided Fishing sits down with Lucas after a fishing trip to talk about steelhead worm colors, spinner tactics, summer steelhead aggression and a few other topics - all related to what we know and love...STEELHEAD!
Tom Posey, CEO of Lamiglas Fishing Rods discusses the recent closure of fishing statewide in Washington State, his experience visiting senators in Washington DC and the evolution of Lamiglas throughout the years. From the Salmon & Steelhead rods to the Striper Surf rods, Lamiglas has been a leader in the Fishing World for over 70 years.
This article deals with the concept of "bite factors" and when to judge whether a bait/lure actually is the reason you did or didn't catch fish. Too often, anglers are quick to blame a lack of bites on one factor, when it may not have been that factor at all. Weighing these odds against each other must be guarded against the wrong assumptions. This podcast was written, narrated, music recorded and produced by Lucas Holmgren.
In this interview (brought to you by Al's Goldfish Lure Co.) Pro Escobedo of VIP Outdoors discussing ocean coho (silvers) and how ocean conditions will dictate where and how he presents his baits. He discusses hook sizing and catch ratio, his "deadliest" Ocean Coho Rig and what he prefers for conditions.
Also discussed is how "What's good for coho can be bad for tuna, and vice versa." Pro speaks of fishing Charleston, Ilwaco and Astoria for Tuna.
Listen to this interview with Roger Hinchcliff, outdoor writer for Salmon Trout Steelheader, Great Lakes Angler, rod designer & sales manager for Lamiglas, as well the owner of "Steelhead Manifesto". Roger discusses a number of interesting subjects to steelheaders in both the Great Lakes (Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Ontario and the Pacific Northwest states like Washington, Oregon, Northern California.
Subjects Include:
Michigan Fishing Opportunity
Great Lakes Steelhead Migration
Differences between PNW & Great Lakes Rivers & Conditions
Steelhead Temperature Factors
Steelhead Don't Wear Sunglasses
Designing "The Closer" Lamiglas Float Rod
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Jack Glass, a 30+ year veteran of the Guided Fishing community, talks about his experiences fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, walleye and smallmouth bass. Jack took River Monsters (Animal Planet) legend Jeremy Wade fishing for Sturgeon and got him his biggest fish he'd ever caught - a 9 foot sturgeon. Jack has fished for Spring Chinook, steelhead and many other species as a fishing guide out of Portland Oregon, and continues to this day to put people on fish. "It's about the experience" is his motto.
Professional fishing guide Brandon Glass sits down with Lucas Holmgren to answer some questions about fishing out of a jet boat in smaller water. Brandon talks about how he got his first boat at age 10, with proceeds from fishing for Pikeminnnow under the Columbia River Pikeminnow reward program. Brandon answers questions about pressured fish, steelhead movement throughout the day, and some of his favorite steelhead colors.
Professional fishing guide and sales representative for Clackacraft Driftboats Dan Fisher answers questions from Lucas Holmgren about driftboats, where he started, and how he ended up guiding primarily out of a driftboat. He discusses the advantages and necessities of a drift boat, choosing oar sizes based on boat size, his favorite driftboat steelhead techniques and his top three steelhead colors. For more information on ClackaCraft driftboats, check them out at www.clacka.com
Frank Amato, the owner and publisher of STS, is interviewed by Lucas Holmgren about steelhead movement and reaction to water temperature, river flow and other factors. He speaks about Willamette River falls and how fish respond to high-velocity water. Southwest Washington Rivers like the Washougal, Wind River, Kalama and others are discussed and how summer steelhead behave in summer, late summer and early fall.
This is the first of many podcast interviews of anglers about salmon, steelhead and trout.
An article by Jason Brooks called "Targeting the Travel Lanes" about fishing for steelhead when rivers are on the rise or high. This method is focused on the "moving" steelhead who is headed upriver but stopping momentarily to rest. This can be very effective if timed right and can result in some of the highest numbers of the season on the right day.
Episode #3 brings two specific articles from STS 2010 and 2011, articles by Matt Straw and Neil Zundel. These articles discuss two concepts - high water steelhead fishing, and the idea of a lethargic steelhead.
Winter Steelhead are both predictable and enigmatic. When the water is high and blowing out, where should you start to focus next time you fish? The rise is tough, but what about before its ultra "fishy" colored? This episode of STS Podcast deals with those, plus the idea of "lethargic steelhead." Is it a myth? Perhaps, although as the temperature decreases, steelhead can get more and more lethargic. At the same time, they can also surprise the angler.
Mixed at Overkill Studios - Battle Ground WA. www.salmontroutsteelheader.com
Originally from the article written by Rod Sando, this article delves into the rich history of Columbia River salmon, and how an absolutely massive resource of salmon would be dashed into near extinction through "A thousand cuts." Narrated by Lucas Holmgren, this article speaks largely to the Commercial Fisheries of the 1800's, the canned salmon explosion, and the construction of dams on the Columbia River (Bonneville, McNary, John Day, Grand Coulee etc.) Please check out our website for more articles about Salmon Trout & Steelhead! www.salmontroutsteelheader.com www.glanagler.com www.amatobooks.com
From 1967, this article, written by Roderick Haig Brown, was featured in the first issue of long-time magazine Salmon Trout Steelheader. It details Haig-Browns surmising on chinook and their reaction to flies and lures. He discusses fishing for Chinook on Vancouver Island (Canada) and talks about his experiences landing giant king salmon on light fly rods. This is narrated by Lucas Holmgren.