Steelhead are referred to as the fish of a thousand casts. That statement may be true if you’re lucky!
A few tips from fellow fishermen can always increase your odds at a beautiful steelhead. This can be the tough part. Though fishermen like to brag about their catch, steelheaders can be tight-lipped and are often referred to as zipper-lips.
I stand by the motto that no one fisherman knows more than all fishermen. If I hadn’t had the teachings of the generations before me, I too would be spending many hours on the river wondering if steelhead even exist. I believe some things can be left unsaid, but sharing information can also help us all catch more fish. After all, aren’t we fishing for steelhead for fun?
This is what I know about steelhead in the San Lorenzo River — there are a few steelhead around. The flows have been ideal, and anglers are reporting fish ranging from 8 to 12 pounds from Felton down to Santa Cruz. The regulations require barbless hooks, and all fish must be immediately released. Drifting roe, casting spinners and fishing a pink worm under a float has been the best bet lately.
The majority of anglers that I have seen have been seasoned fishermen, the usual crowd that hikes the steep mountains of the San Lorenzo River gorge. This group shows up whether there’s fish or not, rain or shine. The common etiquette is that if there is a person or two at a hole, the other angler waits for their turn or moves on to open water. What we bring down to the river must be taken out. We never leave any sign that we were there, and packing out garbage from another ensures good fishing luck.
If a fish is caught and a photo is taken, it should be fast — I was taught to hold my breath while the fish is out of water.
I hope you can go try for an elusive steelhead. Catch one, and happily share your story.
• Mike Baxter has fished in the Monterey Bay Area since he was a boy and has been a licensed charter boat captain for more than 15 years. Contact him at [email protected]. He also hosts a fishing show on radio station KSCO (1080) from 7:06 to 8 p.m. Thursdays April through September.
