TIPS & TAILOUTS
TECHNIQUE
Summertime Stealth
for Steelhead
It’s no secret that the months of August and September
bring with them the lowest flows of the
year. It also happens to be an excellent time to target
summer steelhead. Catching summer steelhead
on smaller rivers during these months of the year
can be challenging though. By implementing some
stealth and structuring how and when you fish for
steelhead during these months, you can greatly
improve your low-water summer steelheading
experience.
Selecting the Ideal
Back Bouncing Reel
When it comes to effective back bouncing,
selecting the proper reel is as
paramount as selecting the proper
rod. Reels must be small enough
to be palmed comfortably in hand,
be light enough to maintain the
comfort and balance of the rod,
pack enough spool capacity to hold
plenty of line, have a smooth drag
that can stop a Buick, have a thumb
bar that is easy to maneuver while
maintaining your grip on the rod,
and built sturdy enough that you
can hand it down to your children
someday.
Daiwa’s Lexa300HL reel (see
photo) is a perfect example of an
exceptional back bouncing reel.
It is compact, has a low profile
design, extremely comfortable and
allows for an easy, secure grip on
both rod and reel while bouncing.
Operation is buttery smooth and
the thumb bar is nice and crisp.
Re-engaging from free spool required
just light pressure on the reel
handle, and the UDT carbon drag
capable of 22 pounds of pressure
will stop any salmon that swims.
The sturdy, aluminum frame and
side plate felt very strong and a
line capacity of over 200 yards of
50-pound braid was also excellent.
The Lexa™ is available in both
right and left handed models in two
sizes and three gear ratios.
Keep a Low Profile When water is low and clear,
steelhead tend to become very wary. Bright
clothing, wading deep, and throwing heavy gear is
a sure way to not catch many fish in low and clear
water. Tone it down! Wear subdued colors, stay
out of the water when possible, and use smaller,
lower profile gear and baits. Keep a low profile
when you approach holes and scout the water
before you make your first cast. Being stealthy
always pays off!
Be Time Sensitive Don’t hit snooze on the alarm
clock… the best low-water summer steelhead fishing
occurs early! The first three to four hours of
daylight are the most conducive to catching fish.
Unless you have ample cloud cover or shade on
the water, fish during low light periods of the day.
Evening fishing can also be productive, though
I recommend avoiding water that was subject
to splash and giggle inner tubers and swimmers
during the afternoons. Sure, you may catch fish
during other hours of the day, but your best
angling will occur in low light conditions.
Cover Water Fishing the same traveling lane for
a few hours at a time may be productive during
heavy flow events, but it’s not terribly productive
during low-water summer steelhead conditions.
Look for tailouts, riffles with depth and structure,
and shaded runs for low water summer steelhead.
Go to the river with a game plan. Hit water that
you know have produced in the past during prime
fishing hours and then explore for new water
once that ideal timeframe has ended.
TYLER COMEAU
8 SALMON THE TAILOUT & STEELHEAD JOURNAL
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