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There is a saying that “the only people crazier than winter duck hunters are winter steelhead fisher-men.”

Beginning Thanksgiving, the hatchery steelhead and the frigid weather will return to the local rivers. Even though your feet and hands may be close to numb and you keep reach-ing out to break ice from the eyes of your favorite steelhead rod, when that rod bends and pulls with a silver metalhead attached, you suddenly become very warm inside.

From beginner to outfit-ter guide fisherman these incredible hatchery and soon to follow native fish are a prize for any angler. If you have ever latched onto a hard-fighting, high-jumping rainbow lake trout these winter fish fight ten-fold as hard, and also have the rivers fast current in their favor.

I have always thought those steelheads are not hard to catch due to their aggressive nature. The

hard part is, and has been, locating and then sneak-ing up on them.

Here are a few pointers I take in consideration when stalk-ing these fish. Steelheads do not like extremely cold water. If the river temp is in the 30’s and low 40’s the fish will not move much or will not enter the river at all. They will wait until rain warms the water.

Steelhead travel up the river five to seven miles a day. This can be a great gage on which holes to fish. Steelheads do not travel at night; however, at first light they can be on the move.

Steelhead like water cur-rent equal to a man’s brisk walk and unsettled on the surface. Steelheads do not

feed while in the spawning stage, so you must get your lure or bait in front of their nose. They will stray a foot or so to investigate some-thing new, and then quickly get back to their happy place. When a steelhead bites a gob of floating eggs it is very subtle and light. They are trying to mash and destroy the competi-tions’ eggs, so be ready to set the hook!

On the other hand if you are fishing with spoons in the current there will be no doubt that you have a fish on! They tend to be rod benders.

In some of our local riv-ers, the hatcheries have been forced to cut back the money spent to raise steel-head smolt and concentrate that effort on salmon.

I absolutely love salmon, but to catch a steelhead is a dream come true. They are such a beautiful fish and if you are fortunate enough to hook into one, you will never forget it, so my hope is that the steelhead will get their fare shake at healthy numbers.

Keep you hooks sharp at all times, take your kids with you and good luck fishing!

It’s time for Winter SteelheadISLAND ANGLER

Tracy Loescher, for the Navigator

Discounted tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on Nov. 19, 28 and 30 are available for purchase by active and retired U.S. Military. They may also purchase up to 5 additional tickets. Tickets are $40.23 for ages 10 and up and $35.75 for ages 3-9, tax included. Tickets are only available at WDW ticket windows or Guest Relations. K1 Speed package – $15 (reg. $25.95) 14 lap arrive and drive race includes a one-year racing license for new drivers; drivers must be at least 4’11”Nutcracker at McCaw Hall Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m., orchestra seats $85 (reg. $99), on sale until Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 2 p.m., orchestra seats $85 (reg. $99), on sale until Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. Grease at the Paramount Theatre Jan 8 at 2 p.m.; $52 (reg. $61.50); on sale until Dec. 27 at noonDisney Live! Mickey’s Magic Show at Comcast Arena, Everett Jan. 23 at 3:30 p.m.; $25 (reg. $31) for ages 1 and up; on sale until Jan. 12 at 2 p.m.Video Games Live at the Paramount Theater, Se-attle Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m.; $45 (reg.) $57; on sale until Jan. 13 at 2 p.m.Rock of Ages at the Para-mount Theatre Feb. 12 at 2 p.m.; $73 (reg. $83.50); on sale until Jan. 26 at 2 p.m.

Billy Elliot at the Para-mount Theatre March 20 and 27, 6:30 p.m.; $78 (reg. $88.50); on sale until March 7 and 14, respec-tively, at 2 p.m.Mary Poppins at the Paramount Theatre May 13 at 8 p.m. and May 20 at 8 p.m.; $65 (reg. $90); May 15 at 6:30 p.m. $60 (reg. $85); on sale until April 25 for the May 13 and May 15 shows and until May 2 for the May 20 show, at 2 p.m.Disney’s Military Salute – active and retired U.S. military, may purchase 4-Day Walt Disney World Armed Forces Salute tickets for themselves and for up to five additional family members or friends (6 tickets per household); tickets may be ordered in person at the Conver-gence Zone’s ITT cus-tomer service counter and can take up to 10 working days to arrive. Payment is taken when tickets are ordered. Tickets must be used by Sept. 30, 2011. Some blackout dates ap-ply. Prices: 4 day $135.50, 4 day park hopper and wa-ter $162. Tickets may also be purchased at the gate for a few dollars more. Disneyland Military Sa-lute - 3-day park hopper for ages 3 and up to use by Oct. 2, 2011. Six tickets per ID card holder. Pur-chase 10 days in advance at the Convergence Zone for $97.25 each.

Tickets on sale at ITTAt the Convergence Zone: (360) 257-2432

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