“I really like plugging the flats this time of year,” offers good friend and noted guide, Jody Smith (www.jodysmithguideservice.com). “Most guys pass right by these spots, figuring it’s too shallow to hold fish, which is one reason I like them. My favorite spots are slicks, as fish often rest here after traveling through heavy rapids. It might only be two feet deep, and moving fast, but that shouldn’t keep you from fishing it. These are great places to hit early and late in the day, when fish are moving.”
On a recent trip with Smith we anchored and dropped our Mag Lips 40 feet behind the boat. Soon we pulled three chrome steelies from that shallow slick. A couple days later Smith had a guide trip and managed to pull seven steelhead from slicks, and those were in addition to what they caught through other methods that day.
Another effective low-water approach is covering as much river as possible with the lines in the water, searching for fish. Here, you’re looking for fish on the move as well as ones that may be holding. “I really like bobber-dogging when it comes to covering water,” shares Smith. “The float keeps the terminal gear where you want it, which is important when fishing low, clear water. Sidedrifting can find the boat separating too far from the terminal gear, pulling the presentation out of the strike zone, and that strike zone can be small when the water is low.”
On another trip with Smith, a buddy and I hooked into six steelhead in one, 300-yard stretch. The interesting thing was, the three boats ahead of us fished the water first and they didn’t touch a fish. One boat pulled plugs and two sidedrifted. When Smith suggested we bobber-dog the same water, and explained why, it made sense. “These guys are close, but they’re just not hitting the sweet spots where fish are holding right now,” pointed out Smith. “With all the bedrock in this stretch, fish are holding in very specific spots.” No doubt Smith’s knowledge of the river led to our success, as did the pinpoint accuracy bobber-dogging afforded.
Whether fishing from a boat or shore, apply stealth when working clear, shallow water. Going with a fluorocarbon leader can make a big difference, as can downsizing the terminal gear so it’s not too intrusive. Think ahead, read the water and anticipate where fish may be holding or traveling, then proceed accordingly. Once dialed-in to low-water steelhead, you’ll find the approaches apply from river to river, season to season.
Note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s popular book, 300 Tips To More Salmon & Steelhead, send a check for $30.00 (free S&H) to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489, or visit www.scotthaugen.com.