Coastal winter steelheading is always an interesting game.  The timing of the weather which dictates angling opportunities plays a big role.  When I got to the Southern Oregon Coast in mid January, I saw my favorite familiar rivers at an all time low.  The smaller ones I love to fish were just too low due to the well known drought we've been having.  The larger rivers however, provided some unique opportunities for the spey angler.  

 

Prior to the much needed rain we just received, we were able to wade and fish in areas that were not previously available to us in normal conditions, which provided some incredible angling opportunities.  Sure, there were days that we didn't connect...but there were days that we were having big time multiple hookups on dime bright winter fish.  We were swinging flies on light tips with summer style flies in the lovely coastal sunshine, with little angling pressure on beautiful swing water.  There were times where we could see pods of these fish blasting and rolling through the riffles and tailouts we were fishing, then having crushing hookups.  It was more like flats fishing for tailing fish than river fishing at times.  Thats all done now, sorry if you missed it.  The good news is that the drought is over, which is great for many reasons other than just fishing.

 

More rain is expected on the coast for the next several days, and some rivers are already blown out at the moment.  Such is the complex game chasing winter coastal fish.  All you can do is dedicate some time every year, and hopefully you can nail it at some point.  Our clients that return every year eventually get paid in some of these amazing angling moments we've had over the years.  You need to book early to get a shot at this venue...