The migratory voyage of these ocean-going rainbow trout is the focus of Idaho steelhead traditions, which involves specialized fishing methods like bobber fishing with roe and jig fishing with brightly colored jigs and spinners. My buddy Dave Evenson, a brother in arms, has been fishing for steelhead in the same location for many years and is a trip much anticipated each November when the steelhead have made it far enough up the river to be targeted.
Most steelhead anglers who have been asked how they decide whether or not to fish for steelhead in Idaho will surely tell you by watching the dam counts. These fishermen keep a close check on the Fish Passage Center’s daily dam counts, comparing them to the 10-year averages and the counts from the prior year. While some years give hope for the upcoming season, others exacerbate the pain of disappointment. These counts are the beginning of many anglers preparing for their traditional steelhead trips, where friends and family get together to try and catch a few steelhead.
A friend of mine from the Army, Dave Evenson, is no exception. I can even feel the anticipation of Idaho steelhead traditions from my place here in Kentucky. With messages streaming in of tackle bought that isn’t needed, and talk of the counts in the river signaling the annual traditional steelhead trip to the river. After several years of hearing about these trips and the fun had, I am planning a trip of my own to the river with my friend, a river we shall leave secret to protect the locals’ favorite spots. In fact, I don’t even know what river they fish.
This year was an exciting trip for the group as Dave promptly landed two great steelies. With the limit of two, Dave became the bait runner and photographer for the rest, and he was fine with that. Sipping coffee in the truck from above, watching his family and friends frantically try and catch their own limit as passerbys inquire as to why he isn’t fishing, probing for the “oh, I already caught my limit” response as Dave sips triumphantly on his cup of joe. This is to help them determine how the fishing is going on the river because they know what the response is likely to be when a guy in waders is sitting in his truck, and not fishing, when the bank is lined with annual steelhead anglers fishing their favorite holes for their limit.
Steelhead are known as the fish of a thousand casts. So, when someone catches their limit within a couple of hours, it’s news along the river. I can hear those passerbys relaying the message to their group “Hey, a dude is sitting in his truck up there that said he already caught his limit.” Bobbers are dropped and fingers stuck as they frantically tie up a rig, as the news brings much excitement and anticipation. I could feel and hear the excitement over my call with Dave, as many anglers were there for the annual run and the traditional fishing trip.
Some steelhead anglers practice catch and release, but not these. With the traditional fishing trips comes the traditional smoked and canned steelhead for the cupboards. Dave just sent me a few jars from the spring run and I can see why they want a few to eat each season. It was my first steelhead on a cracker and I would call it a delicacy and an extension of the fishing as the same friends and family gather around the picnic table at home and devour the offerings. Stories will be told, and reflections of the previous season will be the conversation. I would say, without being there, that new tackle will be shown and many will laugh at yet another steelhead rod that Dave shows off. He has more than he can ever use in his steelhead tackle corner. All a part of the fun and excitement of the traditional steelhead trips on the rocks in Idaho.
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