Steelhead are similar to Salmon in what they are looking for in resting and holding water. You should consider that steelhead do not usually rest in community areas, but in individual spots. This means that there can be many steelhead holding in a “run”, but not in pods (groups) as other types of fish will hold in. Steelhead are not here to eat, primarily, but they do eat while in the river. When Salmon are present in the system, 

many steelhead are pushed out of traditional resting areas to hold in “pocket” waters. These are small resting areas large enough for one fish to lie in. Remember, good resting and holding areas are always places to fish. Regardless of the season, fish will always know a good spot to rest by instinct. Successful steelheading is a result of recognizing these spots, or “lies.”

Trout are a different world. The key to understanding where to find trout is to recognize what is called a “prime lie” (this is not something that you tell your fishing buddies, but rather, actual places).  Trout are looking for three things. The first is cover, then a holding area with adequate oxygen, and access to food. Once again, cover is not only solid objects, but also can be broken water. The best holding area will be in areas of no (or very little) current, but next to (or under) moving water.

The moving water is what brings the food to them. They tend to hold on the slow side of current seams, below ledges, behind rocks and in river bottom depressions. While these are the most common, they are not exclusive by any means. When an insect appears in the current next to their holding spot, they move out, take the insect, and return to the holding area. When you find a place that has all of the ingredients, fish it. This is what is called a “prime lie”. When the direct sunlight is off the water surface, the trout are more confident about taking emerging insects and dry flies and can move into more open areas. Many evenings the fishing seems to get better as the sunlight fades. The diminishing light can trigger insect activity and is interpreted by the fish as cover. Almost any condition that restricts visual contact into, or out of, the water, is protection from overhead predators. The safer that the trout feels, the more confident they are about feeding.

     Trout can almost always be found in riffles, the 1-4 foot deep nymphing runs or the back eddies. Always look for movement in these areas and you will find trout.

There are many more spots that hold fish than most of us are aware of. The better you read the water, the more spots you will find that are fishable. The next time you get to the river, look at areas that you have never fished before. In addition to looking at new spots, look closely at your favorite ones. Chances are you will recognize the things that make a good fishing area. Apply what you have learned when scouting new water and you will find yourself becoming more confident as a fly fisher.  Remember that none of this is etched in stone. The fish do not read the same books that we do, so they tend to make mistakes. Be patient with them.
Polarized glasses are great tools for observing trout.  Keep the lenses real clean.

One of his favorite U.S locations is the Deschutes River in Oregon - fly fishing for steelhead and redside trout. Martin has also spent time fly fishing for striped bass and false albacore on the eastern seaboard and Coho salmon in Puget Sound.  Other travels have taken him pike-fishing in northern Canada and bone-fishing in the Bahamas.  Further south, forays into the Amazon and its tributaries and lakes of Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Venezuela have been a tremendous contrast to the USA, UK and Canada.  There have also been expeditions for Nile perch and tiger fish from Lake Nasser in Egypt and on to the Persian and Arabian Gulfs which Martin feels could be the next big saltwater fly fishing venue of the world. (Once people quit shooting each other).

Martin is an award winning broadcaster and writer. For over 25 years Martin has taken his BBC radio audience with him on his travels around the world. His twice weekly fishing show can be heard on the internet www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire then click on fishing. In 1993 he was awarded the prestigious Richard Walker trophy by the National Association of Specialist Anglers. The award is a full-size bronze bust of Britain's top angler, who died in 1985. There have been only two winners: the Anglers' Conservation Association in 1980 for their fight against the polluters, and Martin for his outstanding contribution to the world of angling and the environment. In 1989 Martin was presented with an Illuminated Scroll by Lord Mason of the Anglers Conservation Association at a special lunch at Fish Mongers Hall in the City of London - the first and only person to receive such an award. Recently Bradford City Angling Association awarded him the Frank S. Whiteley Memorial Cup for outstanding services to the Association.

Helping The Youngsters 
Every year Martin runs a week-long fishing school for boys and girls during the school summer holidays. The youngsters learn several different ways of fishing fly, bait and spinning. They get taught how to tie a fly. All the tackle needed is supplied. There are no charges - it's all free. Every child from 10 years of age is welcome. Many mums spend the time at the school and often take up the sport themselves.

The Ladies Make Great Anglers
Martin is also a great believer that the ladies make great anglers and devotes a lot of time encouraging them into this great sport. The beauty of teaching ladies to fish is they will listen, learn, take notice, practice, don't litter the countryside, have a more caring attitude and don't know it all after a day like so many guys do. They look great, smell good and catch lots of big fish.