| Winter steelheading is not confined to the winter months as the name implies.
From mid-November to the following May, these ocean-going rainbow trout return to their
natal rivers to spawn. Sometimes called "ocean" steelhead, winter steelhead spend a short time
in freshwater (usually, just enough time to spawn). In contrast, their cousins the summer
steelhead (or "river" steelhead), may spend up to ten months in freshwater before spawning.
We intercept these awesome ocean fish in the lowest reaches of the rivers. Here they are fresh,
powerful, and aggressive. Our rivers of choice during this season are the Nehalem, Wilson,
Trask, Kilchis, Nestucca and Clackamas. All of these rivers host good runs of winter
steelhead, and all produce many fish over twenty pounds annually. In 2002, a thirty-pound
native steelhead was caught and released on the Clackamas River (take that, British Columbia!).
First Water Outfitters offers flyfishing and light-tackle trips, and we are not afraid
to mix it up. That said, we strongly recommend flyfishing to those who are looking for the
ultimate steelhead experience. But, whatever the method, what's important to us is that our
clients have the best possible day on the river. |
