Unlike many other areas in British Columbia our local rivers like the Vedder and Chehalis have good populations of both wild and hatchery steelhead. These steelheads begin entering local rivers as early as December continuing through until late April. Local rivers will continue to produce good results well into late April for both fresh fish who have just entered and early returning fish that have been in the river for several months. Strategies used for targeting fish in December are slightly different than strategies used in March. Below we have addressed some of these differences.

Over the years I have learned many new or maybe I should say old techniques for fishing for steelhead and salmon. Here on the west coast we fish a unique style that is rarely seen anywhere else in the country. Although float fishing has been used in the east coast for years our style of fishing with a float is quite different. We fish bait, plastics and spinners under our floats which is very effective, in fact most anglers I fish with from out of town think that our method is far more controlled and effective than the methods they use.

Chironomids undergo a complete metamorphosis, including a larva, pupa, and adult stage. Chironomids will live in the larva stage for up to two years before turning into pupa to begin their migration to the surface to hatch into adults. Trout feed on chironomid larva, pupa, and adults. However, chironomids are most often sought after by trout during the pupa's ascent to the surface. Chironomid hatches occur year round, and are usually the first and last hatches of the fishing season. The most intense chironomid hatches occur in May and June.