Tactics for Early Summer Steelhead

Tactics for Early Summer Steelhead

Airflo - Maxima - Summer Steelhead Flies

There's little better than the first summer fish of the year.  These fish are chrome, grabby and can be borderline un-landable at times.  Follow these simple guidelines to increase your odds of hooking one of the first of the year:

  • Best time of day - Similar to the rest of the summer season, your odds are best in shade, and if you had to pick on shade session for the day, make it the morning.  Water temps are at their coolest and shade makes fish feel more comfortable holding in relatively shallow water.  
  • Best Tactic - This is prime time to fish a floating line, and don't be afraid to put some speed on it.  The early arrivals tend to be very aggressive and often make big moves to chase down a fly on the swing. Considering that rivers tend to be on the low/clear side, they can see your fly from a long distance, and it's not a big ask to get one to move right up to the surface.  The very beginning of the season is a perfect time to fish a skater.  At the very least, skaters tend to visibly move a fish.  If you can't get it to commit to the surface, a wet fly will usually seal the deal.
  • Cover Water - Getting an early summer to bite is not particularly challenging.  The hurdle is simply finding one.  Your best move is to cover as many likely spots as possible in the time you have.  Considering how far away a fish can see your fly if the water is low and clear, fish fast.  Three-step your way down a run and move on to the next.  Keep in mind that not every A+ piece will even have a fish in it early on.  Cover lots of premium water quickly and you will be rewarded.  
  • Be Prepared with Terminal Tackle - Early summers are often the hardest-fighting steelhead of the year.  Act accordingly!  These fish are not tippet-shy and they're pretty good at breaking 10 lb.  Fish 12 or 15 lb. and take that x-factor out of the equation.  Also, fish wet flies tied on stout hooks if at all possible.  These fish usually go nuts and straightening or breaking hooks is a serious concern.  

- SHB

See also Favorite Wet Flies for Early Summer Steelhead (Quick Read) 

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