How to Drift Fish for Steelhead

[@Michael-tq2rz]

You literally answered all my questions!!!! Thanks for sharing!! Not sure if you remember me from the rafting trip last year down the santiam, But I watch your videos and I would love to fish with you! I could learn a lot

[@righteousriverfishinginoregon7]

Sweet! Glad it helped. I think I do remember you if you are the guy who lives local and wanted to get a pontoon. Send me an email and we can hook up for a future fishing trip. I won't be fishing much this winter because I'm having a baby, but we can still connect for a future trip. God bless you.

[@MichaelJohnson-gb2se]

💯

[@righteousriverfishinginoregon7]

Thanks for the feedback! Fish on!

[@ClearWater7.62]

Btw the sinker looks interesting. What's the purpose of a long pencil weight, it for leverage to pull out from crevices?

[@righteousriverfishinginoregon7]

Good question. Since your lead will be bouncing on the bottom the longer lead helps prevent hang ups. I also use what people call slinky weights which are round lead balls put inside a paracord like sleeve. They seem to hang up less since lead seems to get snagged in rocks fairly easy.

[@PNWOutdoors32]

There’s regulations for leader length? Also do you think a 7’ trout rod would work?

[@righteousriverfishinginoregon7]

A trout rod could work but if it's too light it will be difficult. I recommend a rod rates from about 6-8 at lightest and 17 heaviest. If you use a lighter rod and lounge just use lighter weight.

[@ClearWater7.62]

Hi what is the corky for? Is that the same as a salmon egg beads?

[@righteousriverfishinginoregon7]

Good question. The corky floats and helps keep the hook off the bottom of the river. The balanced weight of the hook and corky help to make it float naturally down stream. Additionally, the corky can look like salmon eggs and the yarn next to it can look like the eggs are milking, again making it appear as a natural bait floating down the river.

[@ClearWater7.62]

@righteousriverfishinginoregon7 thanks.. I fish the Kings River in Fresno, CA and it's a tough river to fish, super fast waters and alot of snags. Drifting with traditional salmon eggs seem to be the only option that worked out and the sinker cant stay in the bottom too long before it drifts into a snag lol. Your video has given me ideas to try out, thank. God bless you.

[@ClearWater7.62]

@@righteousriverfishinginoregon7 btw will the steelhead method work the same for trout?

[@CanyonArchaic]

Please be careful which rivers here that you use a corky and yarn setup. On a good many rivers here it is snagging, and cost you a lot of money. Snagging is encouraged to be reported by other fishermen if they see it.

[@righteousriverfishinginoregon7]

Drift fishing is a common fishing method and has been around forever. It used to be the primary method in Oregon and is still popular, which is why I'm sharing this method. People don't need to be afraid to fish this way. As I stated in my video, check the local regulations for leader length restrictions. As far as reporting others, I don't get involved in other people's business. You do whatever makes you feel good.