working a river

[mr.Goodbar]

Still a novice at salmon, let alone steelies or other trout. I'm still trying to figure out how to read a river and learning ever so slowly how to use different techniques. Getting much better at working a spoon through a drift but not sure I have the vibrax spinners figured out yet. Definitely don't have eggs figured out. Have to work on those and plugs and jigs.

Main question is this: when working a river, do you start upstream and work down or lower and work up? I know fish move, but don't know if there is a system that logically dictates which way is more sound. Thinking about getting bank lessons, but until I have that extra cash, have to try to figure as much out as I can.

Main river system is going to be carbon and parts of Puyallup since these are closest to home, and once I get a better handle on techniques/understanding these fish, then can spend gas on other systems.

[Cascadian]

You are free to fish any way that you want and move throughout the river as you choose, however I believe that most of the time people work a run from the upstream part to the downstream part... taking a step or two after each couple casts.

While I am no expert, feel free to get ahold of me if you'd ever like to join me for fishing the Skykomish, Snoqualmie, Wallace, or Snohomish rivers. I seldom venture south, but I am usually fishing one of these rivers 2-3 times per week and I never mind having company along as long as you are respectful and ethical.

[obryan214]

some days on the Satsop I go upstream and others I go down. I do just about the same either way. I typically only fish one river anymore and I'm strictly using spoons, spinners and flies.

[Gringo Pescador]

If possible I prefer to start high and work my way down if for no other reason than it is easier and quieter to wade with the current than against it. If I am working my way upstream I will back out of the water, walk the bank upstream and re-enter the river whereas if I working downstream I can just slowly work my way down and continue casting. This allows me to more thoroughly cover the water and keep my line in it longer.