2016 Winter Steelhead Recap
This winter / spring steelheading season was pretty awesome all things considered. Given the weather we were fortunate to get on the water as much as we did. The rivers did blow out a few times, but mostly teetered just beneath their threshold. When it wasn't pouring with nuclear wind we enjoyed fishing steelhead green water under cloudy damp skies - perfect steelheading conditions. Nearly all of the fish landed this season have been fresh and bright.
During high water years I always speculate what the escapement is like (fish that run while the rivers are blown out and never see angling pressure). I always wonder if the season will end early since the fish have had so many opportunities to run and spawn. For what it's worth I have observed that when the rivers are high and the weather is stormy all winter the fishing can hold up well through April. Still a few weeks of opportunity left. I am glad the Deschutes salmonfly hatch doesn't start any earlier than it does.
Live long and prosper,
Chris
