Time just seems to be moving forward quickly in this fall salmon season. Anglers have not had much opportunity to do an extraordinary amount of salmon fishing due to swollen river conditions, and now we find ourselves at the tail end of the most productive time frame for inland salmon. We have had to deal with hurricane conditions, non-stop rain and muddy rivers.

Hopefully, we have seen the bulk of wet weather and anglers can get back to fishing for whatever fresh salmon have moved up stream. In addition to salmon, anglers can also expect to encounter some early steelhead which generally make their presence known by Thanksgiving Day or even earlier, if the conditions are favorable.

Salmon and steelhead are fished with similar gear and by employing much the same technique. There are differences for sure, but these categories of fish will take plugs in the correct conditions, respond to a spinner and bite on bait or corkie and yarn presentations. When it comes to steelhead, anglers up the ante and apply more finesse to their endeavors.

One of the basic rules of thumb is to use sharp hooks. This is critical when seeking to embed a fly or bait presentation in the bony mouth of these fish. Rusted, bent or blunt tips can yield disappointment very quickly. To cure this problem, take a few seconds and sharpen the point with a file. It will prove to be invaluable.

When it comes to swinging a bait offering or even a fly in front of a steelhead, setting the hook too early will result in a high percentage of misses. The fish simply has not had time to eat.

Most of the time, if you feel a take and do absolutely nothing at all, you have done exactly the right thing in that moment. When a steelhead eats, it takes the bait and turns. So, the angler needs to just keep the rod low and not swing. The fish will come tight on its own. When the angler gives the fish that time to turn, it seats the hook right in the corner of its jaw. It is at this moment that the angler needs to reinforce the hook-up by setting the hook. This technique is invaluable not only for steelhead, but for salmon as well.

This season of the year is like none other. Big fish, whether steelhead or salmon, are now occupying our rivers. The water levels have risen in the rivers to allow for fish movement, and it feels like you should catch a fish when you go out.

Salmon are found in most of our rivers. The regulations determine which are retainable. Steelhead, on the other hand, are going to occupy those rivers where they were planted in earlier years. In Grays Harbor, the focus is on three rivers, namely: the Wynooche, the Chehalis and the Humptulips. These streams have been targeted with steelhead smolt by the fisheries department. The steelhead fishery in the state of Washington is largely a hatchery only fishery.