Kayak Winter Steelhead?

This was partially brought up on the "Winter Kayak Fishing" thread so I thought I'd start a new post for the topic. Winter steelhead from a kayak.. who?, where?, how?

Some of the guys down in NorCal have been doing this on the Russian River (about 1.5 hrs north of San Fracisco).  For the most part they're anchoring up and running plugs.  See Z's driftboat style anchor article for more details on the anchor setup. 

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=7



I'm very interested in trying this this winter, but I have zero knowledge of the local rivers.  Okay, I have some knowledge based on things I've read on ifish, but I certainly don't have first hand practical knowledge on where might the best areas to try steelhead fishing from a kayak and which methods would be best up here.

So how else is interested? 
My personal preference would be to hook up with someone who has local experience in a driftboat or sled and knows the water.  If my lack of local experience scares you, then at least I'd like to see someone out there trying this this winter and I want to read some reports.

Which river stretches are likely to be the best options for us? 
Wilson? Clack? Sandy?  At water water levels?   

Which techniques do you think might be best suited for kayak steelhead fishing up here?  running plugs, drift fishing, float fishing, back bouncing, etc..

Brian

I'm also really into doing some drifts this winter. Gonna try to fashion a drift anchor for my new Revolution. There's some good rivers between the Wa and Or boyz so how about meeting up in numbers to get some steelhead days in? Cowlitz, Kalama, Toutle etc. there's plenty of good action to be had.

Z

There's some good rivers between the Wa and Or boyz so how about meeting up in numbers to get some steelhead days in?

Sounds good, I guess my WA license is good until April so I'm all set.   Maybe we should make one of these trips part of that monthly event thread I started a while back.  I think December will be PDX strugeon, so maybe we start planning a Jan trip to do this (assuming river levels cooperate).

Here's the monthly events thread.
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=1862.0

I always thought steelhead were in faster waters. Maybe too fast for sea kayaks?
I have yet to catch one, so maybe I'm way off here.
 

I realize rivers are different, but here is a post and a pic from the Russian River in Nor Cal.  From my understanding, the kayaks are used to get from pool to pool.  From there they either hop out and work the pool or they anchor up and run a plug back.


http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,6867.0.html

I always thought steelhead were in faster waters. Maybe too fast for sea kayaks?
I have yet to catch one, so maybe I'm way off here.
 

Where the fish are really depends upon time of year and conditions, especially water temps. They are most likely to be in the fast water either when temps are relatively warm,  or when they are moving. When the water temps get down in to the 30s. I start looking for the deepest slowest holes I can find. When it looks like the first pic, I just give up and go skiing!

The lower stretches of the Clackamas (carver to riverside would be your safest and best bet) among others should be fine for yaks IF you are comfortable with your boat and know what you are doing.  There is plenty of current in these rivers, but I would not consider it white water and think someone with basic "water reading" skills would have little trouble.  Would not advise it unless you have some time in your boat under your belt, as tipping over in the main current could get expensive and dangerous fairly quickly. The anchor system above would be invaluable in being about to successfully fish, either to hold your boat in shallow moving water while you stand and fish next to it or to fish directly from it where necessary.  Full immersion protection would be a must too..

Due to run timing the clack's fish are latter than most think, think early spring, late winter.  When we get closer I will be happy to put up some info on when where and how to put some steelhead in the box on this and some other rivers I have been thinking about for yak fishing (think coastal oregon)

I realize rivers are different....  From my understanding, the kayaks are used to get from pool to pool.  From there they either hop out and work the pool or they anchor up and run a plug back.

Learning to read water is an essential part of angling, but yes, all rivers are different.  Rivers generally all work the same and it won't matter what state you're in.  I think the best conclusion I could give is that some are more dangerous than others - but generally all are likely to be dangerous in some sections.

For instance, the NW Steelheaders host a "Learn the River" http://www.nwsteelheaders.org/events/ltr/ltr.htm series of trips on the North Santiam.  Each drift is rated with a level of difficulty and on that river the higher up you get the more difficult.  BTW, there's no reason kayaks could not participate in this as rafters, belly boats and some rigid hulls do too.

My personal experience with kayak fishing inland for steelhead and salmon are as you describe.  Float to a new spot and anchor up and plug, back-bounce or spinner fish or just hop out and drift fish.

I'm going to work the Nehalem on the Oregon Coast this winter for steelhead. using the yak to get to runs or holes and banking it, or anchoring up and running plus, or back paddling and running plugs, or side drifting roe as I float uncontrolled down river is what I've done in the past.

Brian, you're welcome to come anytime. I usualy camp at Nehalem bay state park, and launch at roy creek park.

-Jason