First time steelheading will be at Blue Creek

[returnofthefish]

Since I went to the sportsman show and watched the steelhead clinic, Ive been itching to go catch one. I dont know what the water is like there, so I was wondering if its a drift fishing with corkies and yarn area or float/jig area? thanks

[tnj8222]

Mostly jig and float and side drifting. Be there very early to get a good spot.

[returnofthefish]

Im gonna be in Portland partying at a night club this weekend. Its gonna be hard to wake up and drive an hour and a half to fish at sunrise. Maybe I have to reconsider. The last time I partied there and drove back starting at 3am, it was the toughest three hour drive of my life.

[3footvis]

I'd sleep in and hit it during the afternoon/evening on the way back. Will probably be far less people & the fish will still be there. Or you can go glowballing at 3am ;)

[returnofthefish]

What are some good jig colors to start off with? Bright colors on sunny days and dark colors on overcast days right? I also remember buy quality jigs because the steelhead can bend the hooks straight. Aero jigs come to mind because they use gama hooks. Im not sure about the other brands. Any suggestions

[EAmon ___hoffman123]

Beaded jigs are pretty good, you can get them at any sports store, personally i like the orange had with orange and white marobou... hope my advice helps lol!

[Kockmandoo]

The beau mac smj's are personally my favorite. Also the maxi jigs have really nice hooks. Get a variety of jigs such as pink/purple/white. Pick out some that you think would work. also blue creek fishes considerably better when the water is high, say above 7500 cfs. so remember that. ive seen days where its on fire, and days when the only fish hooked are snagged.

[Steelheader112]

I like the Beau Mac SMJ 10, 12, and 13. They seem to produce well for me all year round. Especially the SMJ 10 caught hundreds of fish on that jig, winter and summer. Oh and I also like Docs Bugger jigs nightmare in certain situations, kramer also makes some excellent jigs..... The list is endless.

[RiverChromeGS]

definetely the 3 best jigs out there, all my jig steel this year were on those 3, especially the pink and blue, forget which exact number that is, but theres pics of it on the site of my steelhead

[natetreat]

It doesn't matter the color, don't matter what you throw at 'em. If they're there they'll bite it. You will find drift fishing water and float water. Depends on wherew you can elbow in. Fish for 'em just like you would salmon. They aren't any different. They'll eat a yarn ball same as they'll eat a oakie drifter. Just gotta put it in there face a bunch of times. IF you really want the edge, throw eggs. Or shrimp.

[OFFDAAHOOK]

It doesn't matter the color, don't matter what you throw at 'em. If they're there they'll bite it. You will find drift fishing water and float water. Depends on wherew you can elbow in. Fish for 'em just like you would salmon. They aren't any different. They'll eat a yarn ball same as they'll eat a oakie drifter. Just gotta put it in there face a bunch of times. IF you really want the edge, throw eggs. Or shrimp.

more of a confidence thing i guess

[Kockmandoo]

more of a confidence thing i guess

slayer-that statement is so true. FF as well as me have a lot of confidence in eggs and yarn, its our go to setup. shrimp not as much for us. But there are a lot of people who catch fish on shrimp and jigs and pink worms and every other type of tackle. They have confidence in that they believe if a fish is in the hole, it will bite that offering, whatever presentation someone has the most confidence in, will most likely catch more fish that way.

[natetreat]

Anything will work. IMO it's not about what you throw at them, but what the fish are doing. If they're active and aggressive, than flash is the key. Big and bright, hardware, corkies, jigs, giant gobs of eggs. If they are passive and irritated, small and subtle. Either way, you just got to get it in their face.

[returnofthefish]

Bought my gear today. 10 different jigs by a couple of brands,

[Kockmandoo]

there you go. dont forget the shrimp!!!!

[returnofthefish]

Bummer, it closed on the 31 of last month. Gotta find somewhere else now.

[natetreat]

"Blue Creek" is the hatchery section of the Cowlitz river next to the steelhead hatchery. It's open year round. Blue creek is the old hatchery creek and is only open for two months. There aren't many fish in there anymore now that they've moved the intake.