May Steelhead Fishing

There's nothing better than an early summer!  
May tends to be transitional months for many Steelheaders.  It's a great time to go over your gear and make sure everything is in tip top order.  Though there are not a ton of options on the table in May, some of the lower Columbia River tributaries will have fish present.  As we slide into a much brighter and warmer weather pattern, expect to be working with low water and lots of intense sunshine.  

Anglers looking for an early fish will be best off focusing their efforts on the low light periods of the day.  There won't always be a ton of fish present, so plan on quickly covering as many runs as you can in shade.  Fishing fast early in the season works well as the May arrivals tend to be rather grabby.  Think of the challenge at hand being finding a fish as opposed to meticulously covering a run slowly hoping to coax out a grab.  Make sure to fish slightly heavier-than-normal tippet and flies tied on stout hooks.  These early arrivals are notoriously ballistic fighters that will put your terminal tackle to the test!

Steelhead Calendar

- SHB