certain connection to the water during a day’s steelhead outing and can place one in areas that can’t readily be reached on foot.
The timing of an outing during the day often has a direct impact on finding prime swing water. Hitting the river at first light has both the advantage of finding open water on prime pools and fish that are resting comfortably in areas that can easily be covered by a swung fly. But I really prefer the afternoon. There always seems to be a drop in overall angling pressure after lunch and this usually corresponds with an increase in water temperatures. Short outings in the afternoon can result in high quality fishing. Working areas well away from popular access points right up to last light will typically provide a pick of the best water during one of the most productive parts of the day. A high quality head lamp makes walking out in the dark a breeze.