Maximized Effort
Published as a part of Steelheaders Journal, September 2021
As the days begin to lengthen and spring releases its chilly grasp on weather and water, anadromous anglers begin to think about the warm pleasures of summer steelhead. Days spent wet wading in the desert, sleeping under the stars, and early morning sunrises make for wonderful memories to fuel you through the later part of the year. Whether it be your first foray with inland fish or your second season, there's always something to learn. I hope these ten tips can help your upcoming summer trip.
1. Manage your expectations. Early mornings and late evenings make for long days, plenty of time for things to go wrong or right. You will be beat to the boat launch, not get the run you wanted, take an unplanned late morning swim, but still manage to hook into your largest fish during the afternoon when you least expect it. It's a rollercoaster out there, plan for what you can control and roll with the rest.
2. Formalize a plan of attack. Then make a backup one. I always try to plan the first run and have a backup run or two in mind. If it's possible, driving along the stretch of river you're going to float the night before can sometimes alert you to campers on specific runs so that you can plan around them.
3. Fish as many runs as possible during good conditions. Your time is limited during those low light hours and you want to maximize as much as you can. Sometimes this can mean fishing the same run twice rather than changing runs. At other times this can be hitting four different ten-cast pockets in a quarter mile. Be realistic about the number of runs you think you can achieve, there will be differences when floating versus walking or roadside. If you're floating, try to get three to four morning runs. Roadside could be two three. If you're expecting to get fresh A-water runs, that number could be lower. Ideally you get seven runs through the whole day, morning and evening. Raising this number improves your chances of intercepting a fish.
4. It's not a race until you make it into one. I've fished with many who rise well before dawn, swinging runs in the near dark, only to stop fishing long after the sun sets. I've fished with others who like to sleep in, have a hearty breakfast before fishing two long runs, only to end up back at camp for snacks and an early lunch nap. Neither option is wrong, you've got to find your own fishing pace. If you enjoy the challenge and jockeying of getting prime early morning water then now's the time to shine, just be sure to wear a headlamp so others can see you're already there.
5. Get as many things ready as you can the night before rather than the morning of. Replacing tippet, stringing up any extra rods, going over flies, tying on tomorrow's fly. Prepping tomorrow's coffee, packing the boat or truck, getting your boat bag or backpack set and ready. Night prep means that you can leave faster in the morning, waste less time panic prepping, and forget less items.
6. Minimize the commute where possible. Sleeping closer to the river or the run in question takes that commute time and moves it into fishing time. Those summer time alarm clocks ring so painfully early for many of us, why not give yourself an extra hour or two of sleep. If you can't sleep in your vehicle it helps to have a cot that can easily break down in the morning. There are also a lot of fishing town motels and lodges that would be happy to house you, go and support these good people.
7. Have a wrist watch and take some notes for which time the sun is on or off the water for your favorite runs. Remember or log those times for the next visit if it's recent enough, this can give you a rough idea for generating a plan next time. A watch also allows you to track how long it takes to fish a run too.
8. Bring multiple rods strung up in different configurations. One deep, one shallow or on top. Or have one short rod and one long rod. This might be an obvious tip and it could be financially unachievable for some, but having multiple setups ensures less downtime switching tips or tactics between runs. It also saves you the hassle of swinging a full-size rod in some tight spots when you need to scratch a few midday buckets or brushy troughs in the search for fresh midday water.
9. Take a nap during the hottest parts of the afternoon. Or not; you won't catch a fish if your fly isn't in the water, but the days can be grueling. Having a long break between the morning grind and evening grind is a great way to make your energy and focus last the whole day. There have been mornings where the first thing I think about after donning my waders is that sweet merciful afternoon nap. A nap is also a great way to make a shorter float last longer, ensuring the later sections are fished with better light conditions.
10. Fish a sink tip during hot sunny afternoons. Sacrilege to some, routine for others. There’s no way around it, swinging deeper often gets more fish. Just remember that summer is also a great time to experiment with dry lines and smaller flies. I know many who lack the confidence to switch over from the dark side, now’s the time to try it.
11. The ol’ bonus tip! Carry a thermometer during the dog days of summer. When the water’s in the high 60s it’s time to pack it in and give those fish a break. Some people believe it’ll be OK to fish in the evenings during those situations and I would venture to disagree, those fish still carry the stress of their hot afternoon. It’s our job as anglers to be stewards of the waters and care for the fish.
