Steelhead Fly Fishing: Dave’s Spots, My Drift & Tom’s Rock

by | Fresh Water

Steelhead Video

Last week, I had a great time chasing steelhead with my friends Tom and Dave (Waterwhippa). It was a typical couple days of winter steelheading with disappointments, surprises and last minute fish. Day one found us on a great section of river that typically fishes very well at 350 cfs. Unfortunately for us, the dam keeper opened the gates and decided to raise the water to 1000 cfs while we were sleeping. So, our visions of hot chrome in easy to fish pools were crushed by an extra 750 cfs. Of course, we still fished this section and covered miles of river on foot. The hook ups were few and far between to say the least. We all decided to try our luck on some other rivers. We showed up to one of my favorite drifts. Notice, that I say drift and not pool. I have come to believe that knowing the location of any given pool or run is not enough. The truly valuable knowledge comes from knowing the exact drift. Dave told me something a few years ago that I believe to be true. He said, “If you catch a steelhead in a certain spot, it is a pretty safe bet to assume that a steelhead will always be holding in that same spot.” Of course, he was speaking in generalizations and did not imply that “always” actually meant “always.” Anyway, Tom had never fished this drift before and he stepped into “my” slot. I took a less than favorable slot down stream and watched with envy as Tom drifted “my drift.” Tom moved upstream a bit, and I scooted into “my drift”. I cast upstream and my fly drifted back towards me. Bang! Hot chromer! Right where I thought he would be. We made a few more drifts and moved on to another one of Dave’s spots. I call these Dave’s spots because he was the first one to introduce me to these rivers and the many coveted drifts that I have come to know so well. We all entered the water and we brought Tom to the honey hole. Well, it’s usually a honey hole but on this day it was a dud. In fact, none of the go-to runs and drifts were producing as they should. So, every man was left to his own devices and it was every man for himself. Dave crossed the river and worked up while Tom and I worked upstream on the opposite side of the river. I had an upstream destination in mind and could not wait to get Tom and I positioned for the perfect drifts. While in route to the “perfect spot” Tom saw a piece of water and said, “I can’t pass this up.” It was a section that I had seen so many times before, but never paid much attention to. Tom eased into the water and onto a submerged rock and started making his drifts. I impatiently fished up and downstream of him. Tom continued working every square inch of his little area from his rock. A fair amount of time had passed and I was just about to suggest that we move upstream when Tom said, “Fish!” Tom’s fly rod bucked and the battle was underway. We were getting ready to land the steelhead and the fish spit the hook. We made our way upstream to the “perfect spot.” Unfortunately, it wasn’t so perfect on this day but that was not the case across stream. Dave locked horns with a big steelhead. I bolted across stream to help Dave land his fish. But, after some serious team work and a mind boggling battle the steelhead got the best of us and spit the hook. The “perfect spot” was not so great and Tom said, “I am going back down to that other spot.” I replied, “Oh, your going back down to Tom’s Rock?” Tom replied, “Yah.” So, that is what Tom did, and he ended up hooking a few more steelhead while Dave and I watched with analytic eyes. Needless to say, Dave and I watched Tom to see exactly how Tom’s Rock was meant to be drifted. We both took some mental notes and I know for certain that Dave and I will be re-visiting Tom’s Rock on future steelhead outings. It was a great trip with lot’s of laughs, good company, disappointing drifts, surprising drifts, old drifts, new drifts and a few nice steelhead.

10 Comments

  1. joey on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Sweet tune I dig it. The dam operators have not been favorable to fishermen this season thats for sure. Glad you guys were able to forge on and find some fishable water.

  2. laurenslegend on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    thanks for the virtual trip and video. That creek looked a little “sandy”. Good call.

  3. jeremy on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    thanks joey … the tune is kinda mello … much like the way i feel i feel during the short days of winter .. … hey, if you and luke are goin’ steelheading this week let me know, and i will fill ya in on “tom’s rock” … a nice spot for sure … good luck out there ….

  4. jason-c on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Hey Jeremy-Great post and video. I was dying for a fix. Winter’s cold short days have cut my Steelhead fishing time way down. I wish I were a little closer to some fishable, big steel action. The whole state of Idaho seems to be frozen solid at this point. So this post really did the trick. Now I think I will watch it and read it 50 or 60 more times! Thanks again-Jason

  5. waterwhippa on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    It was a good call to cut the cord and check out our other options. I’m glad we did, it saved the day. Jeremy, you blatantly picked Tom’s pocket in the credit card slot and should be ashamed of yourself. Good tune, excellent story and vid as always. Tom, I learned a great deal about my own steelheading technique by watching you work the current seams. I will try to be just as methodical and spend more time with the drift. You are a serious threat to any steelhead with a nymph rig in your hands. By the way, I was on your rock Saturday and all hell broke loose! Untill we meet again.

    Dave

  6. alex on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Jer, nice fish man… looks like the lake effect cold has set in in the East meaning you must run to the sun and join me brother.. Great video as always, need you here as it is another world, have a wonderful holiday season…miss you brother… Alex
    http://www.patagoniaflies.com

  7. greg on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Great video, I’ve been waiting for it. Needless to say I am somewhat envious as the water levels or fish gods seem to favor you and your gang of fish thugs. I’m going again and taking and taking my own gang of shiftless chrome grabbers and may the best video win. Congrats on a good trip.

  8. Boz on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Great read and video Jeremey. I like how Tom sniffed one out in a new drift, cool how other fisherman can see something in a run someone else might pass up. Nice work. I’m with Whip on you picking Toms pocket at the slot! It is all about the getting the right drift though. I think Austin picked both of our pockets there last time around!
    Those are some beautiful fish! Nicely Done!

    Saturday I’ll be heading “home for Christmas” to Ohio, but I want to be singing…”I’ll be Crome for Chirstmas!!!”
    We’ll see…

  9. mikel on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Jeremy,
    Great story and video, thanks. It’s always cool to come home after work and know I can come to your site and lose myself by reading and watching others fufill their dreams. By the way, Dave’s spots do rock!

  10. twocan on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Jeremy,

    Another great vid and story….Some of that water looks familar. After watching that I am going to start shooting.