reading the water

[sking389]

can anyone tell me were the best place is to fish for the salmon in fast water? What am I looking for?

[stackmend]

Pockets that they stop and hold in briefly resting before pushing through the flow again. These will usually be the more aggressive fish since they are moving and they are territorial and others are often trying to push them out of the best lie.

[gebbyfish]

These fish are making their way up the river and need to rest at times and it's helpful to know where they are. If you are looking to fish the fast(white) water, if they are there, they're probably not on the surface and you'll have to fish deeper there. Learn the bottom that you are swinging your fly through and keep it down in the fast water. There may structure that the fish are using to their advantage to rest before navigating the next run, or gauntlet of fishermen. Don't forget to fish the seams, that line between the fast water and the slow, smooth water. You will often find fish here resting just outside the faster water and they won't be as deep here.

[Adrenalinerush]

These fish are making their way up the river and need to rest at times and it's helpful to know where they are. If you are looking to fish the fast(white) water, if they are there, they're probably not on the surface and you'll have to fish deeper there. Learn the bottom that you are swinging your fly through and keep it down in the fast water. There may structure that the fish are using to their advantage to rest before navigating the next run, or gauntlet of fishermen. Don't forget to fish the seams, that line between the fast water and the slow, smooth water. You will often find fish here resting just outside the faster water and they won't be as deep here.

Your point about seams is excellent. I fish seams 90% of the time I am fishing. If I am fishing unfamiliar water I always start with the seams. I catch the majority of my fish there. Once you have explored these areas fish the fast water directly. When fishing the white water you need to find a spot where the depth changes from shallow to slightly deeper. A drop of 8" to 12" in depth will hold fish as the main current is diverted when the fish hold tight to the bottom. You can find these areas by drifting the white water and noting where your line drops lower if you are chucking and ducking. Fish will hold just down stream of the drop. You need to position your presentation upstream of the drop and guide it into the drop. Hope this helps!

[sking389]

thank you all for your help. leaving at 4am to head north. I will use this alot I'm sure. I am an avid trout fisherman but have learned that it is alot different for those hogs. :steelhead:

[Adrenalinerush]

thank you all for your help. leaving at 4am to head north. I will use this alot I'm sure. I am an avid trout fisherman but have learned that it is alot different for those hogs. :steelhead:

Actually, its not! If you ever stream fished for stockies, apply what you know to steelhead and salmon and you will do just fine. Its not rocket sciece, its just fishing, good luck!

[sw0rdf!sh]

These sounds like very helpful hints.

I have a question, if I may?

How does light (or lack-there-of) effect where these fish may stack up? Do they tend to rest during periods of bright sunshine or will they turn-on (see movement)? My apologies if this question is waaaaaay off base, but ii'm curious

[Browntrout5]

These sounds like very helpful hints.

I have a question, if I may?

How does light (or lack-there-of) effect where these fish may stack up? Do they tend to rest during periods of bright sunshine or will they turn-on (see movement)? My apologies if this question is waaaaaay off base, but ii'm curious

Salmon dont like the bright sunny days. If its sunny look for them laying in heavy water.