The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

There are magical moments when steelhead just seem to appear on the end of your line. This habit of showing up unexpected has earned steelhead the nickname "ghost fish."

A good steelheader continues to fish no matter what the luck and in spite of conditions. He knows that he is just one cast away from a fish.

But when you've never caught a steelhead it is very difficult to escape the feeling that something is wrong. You start second guessing. You feel as if you need to do something different - change the fly, change the water, change the approach.

Usually, changing things is not the answer.

Basic steelheading is very easy to do. You simply cast, quartering downstream, and let the fly swing across the water. You need to change your mind-set to that of a hunter finding the spot where just one or two fish are lying.

You have to trust that your fly and your swing will bring the fish on if they are there.

Choose your water carefully. In the beginning, fish the well-known, established runs. See if you can get your local fly shop to suggest a place. Talk to other fishermen. Watch and observe - see where other steelheaders go.

It is acceptable to follow other fishermen through the runs. Steelheaders always start at the top and work through. As long as you don't follow too closely, once an angler is in the run you can drop in behind and fish the same water. (Never, never, drop in ahead of someone even if it looks like there is a lot of open water - that is unacceptable stream etiquette.)

By following a good fisherman you can learn water, tactics and pace. Later, you can come back to the same run and be the first person through.

Once you have chosen a run, make sure you time your fishing. Steelhead are most active when the light is off the water. We like to fish in the morning, from first light until the sun hits the water and in the evening from first shade till dark.

If you can be the first person through the run just as the light changes, that is ideal. However, if one or two others have fished ahead, you still have a good chance. Not all steelhead take the first fly through. Very often the second or even third guy over the run will catch the fish.

Pick a fly that suits you. I like a little purple and some flash in my flies. Others like a different look. I really don't think it matters much. Just choose and then don't worry about it anymore.

Finally, learn to be efficient. Down-time is the steelheader's curse. If you make repeated bad casts because you're trying to get extra distance or if you make too many false casts because you're not laying the line out, you are simply wasting time. Find a casting rhythm that keeps your line on the water with the fly swinging.

He who shows his fly through the most acre feet of water will be the winner.

Don't let your head get in the game. Try to find a neutral place in your mind where you don't worry too much about the fish. Enjoy the casting, enjoy the day on the water, enjoy the little ritual that is steelhead fishing.

Be a little fatalistic. When the time is right that steelhead will jump on and there is nothing you can do to force it to happen. When it is time, it's time.