Fly Fishing Insider Newsletter featuring Summer Steelhead

Summer Steelhead or Winter Steelhead ???

Eric Gunter with a summer steelhead caught April 15.

As anglers and biologists, we classify steelhead into two races, Summer Steelhead and Winter Steelhead. Both races are in many local rivers in nearly equal numbers through April. Specimens of both races can be equally fresh from the Ocean and be equally bright. They may be equally aggressive to the fly and be equally strong. This time of year winter steelhead and summer steelhead can be a little difficult to tell apart. So lets examine what perceived differences led to the separate classifications.

We might also examine if in fact the separate classification of summer and winter steelhead is even an entirely valid approach. There are bright, new steelhead in many of the larger lower Columbia River tributaries every month of the year. Summer Steelhead are sexually immature when they leave the Ocean. In the Columbia basin, both wild and hatchery summer steelhead can leave the Ocean as early

Summer steelhead vent & anal fin, April 15.

as February and as late as October. Their gonads are very small and the abdominal cavity is full of layered fat. They rarely spawn until the following winter, usually from late December through early April. Winter Steelhead are classified as fish that will spawn within a week or two after entering fresh water. Many leave the Ocean with vents that are already dilated, ready to spawn. These fish are full of

Winter steelhead vent & anal fin April 16.

Cathy Davenport with a winter steelhead caught April 16.

eggs or sperm. They have much less body fat than summer steelhead when they leave the salt. Winter Steelhead can be found spawning in some local rivers as early as November and as late as July. In the 1950's, some steelhead were tagged in the Columbia River in November. Several of these fish crossed Marmot Dam on the Sandy River in April, nearly 6 months later. They reached sexual maturity during their long stay in the river, much like summer steelhead. Yet they were in the river during the winter.

There is also a group of wild steelhead that enter the Sandy River September and October and some individuals spawn in early November. Are they summer or winter steelhead? The two fish pictured here were caught on consecutive days. They probably left the Ocean at about the same time. Cathy's winter steelhead will probably spawn in a very few days. Eric's summer steelhead probably won't spawn until January .

Probably no other name is more recognizable in this era of spey casting than Dec Hogan. He was a fulltime steelhead guide for 15-years on such legendary rivers such as the Skagit, Grand Ronde and Deschutes. His passion for steelhead and other fly eating anadromous fish has lead him across the length and breadth of North America. Everywhere he has fished, he has left an impression with not only his rich "groupie" clients, but nearly every other angler in each watershed. Everyone who has fished with Dec will attest that he is a brilliant fly caster, angler and fly tier, but what really sets him apart is his passion for rivers and the fish

that live in them. To the amazement of most of us, due to a personal situation, this "Jedi Master of Spey Fishing" quit guiding and instructing several years ago and dropped out of the "game". This left a hole in the "force" that surrounds our sport that could be felt throughout the "Federation". Last year he reappeared at the Sandy River Spey Clave for a brief encounter and brilliant performance on the water. This year Dec will be at the Clave both days. You will find him around the C.F Burkheimer and Airflo booths.

The title says it all.

You might also consider picking up a personalized copy of Dec's book:
A PASSION FOR STEELHEAD
This book covers all the basic techniques proven on thousands of steelhead hooked, selecting the best fly for various river conditions, choosing the tackle that's right for you, effectively covering different water types, learning to cast, etc. It offers highly original look at how steelhead take (or refuse) a fly. Is illustrated in color and pencil drawings. Over 300 pages. There will be a pre-publication offer of a special, personalized "Spey Clave Autographed" edition.

See the greatest collection of C.F. Burkheimer rods ever assembled at the Sandy Clave.

Kerry Burkheimer and his crew build very fine graphite fly rods at his plant, located in Washougal, Washington. Studying under and collaborating with legendary rod designer Russ Peak in the 1980's, Kerry quickly became known as a producer of elegantly crafted, high performance fly rods. Little by little Kerry has increased the production of his small factory. We can now offer his nine most sought after models. These rods are built by hand and are in much demand. Production is limited.
Every rod on this page is in stock.
More Information on Burkheimer Production.

Up-to-Date INFORMATION on Local Lakes at a glance.
Scroll this table for instant information. Click the links for more information.
Our Lakes Information Section is constantly evolving. Be sure to check often for up-dates.

Badger Lake	The road is still blocked by snow.
Chickahominy Reservoir	Fishing is good with most of the fish in the 14-16 inch range and a few in the 18-22+ size.
Clear Lake	Road still blocked by snow.
Crane Prairie Reservoir	Opens April 28. The reel action starts in June.
Davis Lake	Should be accessible. Can be good early for both trout and bass.
East Lake	Opens April 28. Fish often feed at the edges of the ice.
Frog Lake	Road still blocked by snow.
Harriet Lake	Last stocked 4/16
Hosmer Lake	Opens April 28. Often not accessible until late may.
Laurence Lake	Last stocked 4/16
Lost Lake	Road still blocked by snow.
Mann Lake	Most fish are in the 12" range with bigger fish running 18"-20". Weather can be very changeable in April.
Olallie Lake	Road still blocked by snow.
Pine Hollow Reservoir	The reservoir has been stocked and trout fishing is fair to good around the dam. Last stocked 4/9. Some big fish available.
Rock Creek Reservoir	Last stocked 4/9. Fishing is good.
Roslyn Lake	Last stocked 4/16. Good for stockers.
Timothy Lake	Accessible from Skyline Road & Estacada. Ice around edges.
Trillium Lake	Road closed.
Wickiup Reservoir	Opens April 28.

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Item	Description	Price	To Top
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Inflate your new boat with a K-Pump.

We know about controlling the air pressure in all sizes of inflatable boats. No other manual pump series pumps so much air, so easily! My Outcast Steelheader-18 has pontoons that are 18' long and 28" in diameter. That's a lot of air. In the front seat-box is a K-Pump Model 200 air pump which has proven to be perfect for regulating air pressure in my pontoons. Add a K-Pump model 100 to your Fish Cat 9IR and you can inflate it easily. All K-Pumps come with a tough nylon pack cloth bag that easily attaches to the frame of any pontoon boat.

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8' 9" #4	9' #10	13' 3" #7	14' 3" #9
9' #5	9' #12	13' 4" #8	14' 5" #9
9' #6		13' 9" #8

Inflated Size 108" X 50"	Tube Dia. 16"	Capacity 375 lbs.	Weight 60 lb.
Frame: 6-pc Steel	Fabric Denier 600 PVC 900 PVC	Seams: Sewn Warranty: 5 Year	Air Cell Type: Vinyl
Anchor System Included	Anchor Not Included

Fish Cat 4 Float Tube
Float Tube Accessories Float Tube Lakes.	Fish Cat 4 Float Tube

Outcast Fish Cat 4 Deluxe Float Tube
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