Making time to get things done is a big deal in our current society. Taking a break to get in some fishing time can be a challenge in our fast-paced lives. So, it stands to reason, some may capitalize during this holiday season.

There are those who may get some extra time off, or it may be that a lot of other things fall into place to go and do some fishing. With Christmas behind us and tomorrow being New Year’s Day, this could be just the window of opportunity needed. Of course, if you are addicted to football in any form, this is going to be a huge problem.

On the bright side of things, if you possess a valid 2016-17 fishing license, it will be good until the end of March. The fishing season, as far as licenses are concerned, begins April 1 and ends March 31. Anglers will have a little time left on the fishing calendar to utilize their existing license.

The question always is, “where is the best place to go?” There are a few considerations which can be noted for our area. In terms of rivers coming back into fishable shape quickest after rain storms, that would have to be the Salmon River. This stream drops rapidly and has pockets of water that hold steelhead. The next on the list would be the Wynooche River. This river has a controlled water flow and the upper portions will clear earliest.

There are anglers who actually move from river to river in pursuit of fish. Then, there are those who choose a favorite river and stick with it regardless of water condition. They become experts on their river of choice and know the holding locations really well. This approach, if done regularly, can give the steelheader instant feedback as to when new fish move into certain holes. Committed Humptulips anglers seem to get this practice down pat.

The lower Chehalis River can be a good choice if properly fished. This river is a host river for fish moving up stream. There are several feeders into the Chehalis, and so intercepting these migrating fish is always a good plan. Because this waterway is so vast, it requires a strategic effort to hook a fish.

The old timers had this figured out years ago. There is evidence of “plunking shacks” all along the lower Chehalis. Plunking is a means of stationery fishing and waiting for passing fish to take the bait. The shacks provided cover from the storms and fires could be built to stay warm. If the plunking means was used off a gravel bar, then anglers generally built fires on the exposed gravel bar. Many steelhead have been caught employing this technique.

It is coming down to simply making the time to get some fishing in. An early jump on the day can give you a double header — some fishing and some football. That is providing New Year’s Eve plans do not mess up this arrangement.