Winter Steelhead Fishing for the Kids
In the May 2014 issue of STS, I wrote a feature on getting kids hooked on fishing. Happily, the story generated great feedback and a lot of interest. Since then, many people have asked me, “What about kids and winter steelhead fishing?”
Hooking kids on winter steelhead fishing is a different deal than spring chinook or summer trout. Because weather can be wet and cold and winter steelhead runs, spotty, challenges are in place before even leaving home. This means in order to hook youngsters on winter steelhead fishing you need to start laying the groundwork well before hitting the water.
Monitor weather patterns, closely. If your child doesn’t like cold, wet conditions, then don’t obsessively subject them to it. Then again, if fish runs are off the chart, getting the kids on the water for a quick trip can cure them of the bad-weather doldrums. This is where researching steelhead runs is a must, so you know where to find fish.
Rather than spend all day in bad weather with kids who don’t like such conditions, consider dedicating a few hours to a trip, then call it good. Of course, if fish are being caught, great, the time on the water might get extended. But if it’s cold with ice forming on the rod and the kids are miserable, know when to call it a day.