Winter steelhead fishing in the Eureka area often coincides with turbid water conditions that make getting hookups more challenging. As long as the water has a few feet of visibility, you can coax steelhead into taking a fly if you present your flies close to bottom with high-density Teeny-type lines or shooting-tapers. These lines can be difficult to control in fast water, as they tend to immediately bow downstream, causing the line to race ahead of the fly.

The solution is to make an initial cast downstream, then pull your rod gently up and back to straighten the line. Then release the line and make mends to allow it to sink. The fly will then swing deeply and slowly through the presentation.

Steelhead Greased-line Presentation
The steelhead greased-line presentation is a variation of the original greased-line presentation, which was first developed for Atlantic-salmon fishing. It is used to catch steelhead during late fall and early winter, when water temperatures are above 45 degrees (F.). At these water temperatures, steelhead move aggressively for flies--even drys--so this presentation works fine with a floating line, and a 9- to 12-foot leader tapered to about an 8-pound-test tippet (depends on the river).

The first step to using the steelhead greased-line technique is to locate a likely steelhead run--traditional steelhead water. This water type begins just below a hard riffle, continues through choppy water, and ends at a tailout. The best holding water is between the white water that starts at the top of the run and ends at the tailout. It moves at about a walking pace. Steelhead prefer to hold in water that is from 18 inches to 6 feet deep with boulders on the stream bottom. They will rest anywhere in the stream, even close to shore, so always begin fishing with short casts.

Starting at the top of the run, make an initial cast slightly downstream. Immediately make one or two upstream mends to slow the fly's swing and presentation. The number of mends needed depends on the water's depth and speed. The line form an "S" on the water as it begins its swing.

With this presentation the fly swings from just below the surface to a few feet under. As the line tightens, fish the fly under a slight tension, using the rod to barely lead the line. The line should have a subtle, downstream bow, which presents the fly broadside to the fish, giving the fish an excellent view of the offering. Allow the fly to swing until it stops below you, because steelhead often follow the fly--sometimes even to shore--and strike at the end of the swing.

After you complete the cast and swing, takes one to two steps downstream, then repeat the process until you have fished through the entire run.

Cast and Retrieve
The cast-and-retrieve action works best on the still waters of river estuaries and lower tidewater pools, where large early steelhead and fall salmon first enter their natal waters. Becuase there is often little in the way of river current, traditional "swing" techniques like the wet fly swing, and greased line presentation are not as effective.

Fish in the tidal areas can range from aggressive to extremely spooky. They can hold in just a foot or two of water near a river mouth or lie just off the bottom in a deep pool.

Look for fish that make a disturbance as they move in and out of the pools, then cast your fly toward the fish and retrieve it with a varied stripping motion to give it lifelike action. Most of the pools are subject to tides, so you must vary the depth of your presentation and the speed of the retrieve until you locate fish. Do this by using a selection of lines--from floating to fast sinking. Most anglers start with medium sinking-tip lines, clear lines, or clear-tip lines because they are less likely to spook fish. Slow to extra-fast full sinking lines and shooting-tapers also work well.

An 8-weight rod is best for the coastal fishing, which can require a lot of roll casting. The rod should have the backbone necessary to land large fish. Most of the steelhead weigh 8 to 12 pounds; the Chinook salmon typically weigh 12 to 30 pounds, but some can weigh up to 60 pounds. Use a reel with a smooth, strong drag that pays out line without jerks.

Start with 9- to 12-foot leaders, tapered to 8-pound-test tippets. When the fish are spooky (clear water), use 14-foot leaders and 6-pound-test tippets, if you must, but remember they may not hold the giants that prowl these pools.

In the estuary setting, these bright fish prefer smaller flies that mimic the small aquatic life they ate as juveniles and as fresh adults, so most coastal anglers use #6-#12 dark black, brown, and olive nymphs tied with weight added to the hooks. However, local patterns cover a broad gamut. The most popular include Woolly Worms, Chihuahuas, and Bosses, as well as bright patterns like >Comets, Green Weenies, and Flames.

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John Nordstrand is an outdoor photographer who specializes in fly fishing. He lives in Santa Barbara, California.

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