Salmon and Steelhead

Scent can be the final trigger. Scent is often the final trigger. The right attractant masks human odor, mimics natural forage, and makes fish commit when they’re on the fence. This guide covers the best options across bass, crappie, panfish, t …

FishUSA Pro Staffer and Lake Ontario charter captain Rick Hajecki breaks down the 7 trolling spoon colors he trusts most for consistent salmon, brown trout, steelhead, and lake trout — with size guidance, depth breakdowns, and the story behind …

FishUSA Pro Staffer and Lake Ontario charter captain Rick Hajecki breaks down when to run Super Slim, Regular, and Magnum trolling spoons — species by species, season by season — plus his deadly late-summer two-spoon rig. { "@cont …

River salmon fishing can be as frustrating as it is rewarding. One morning the fish are everywhere and every cast counts. The next day the same run is packed, and almost no one hooks up. The difference is almost never luck — it’s approach …

If you troll with Dipsy-style divers, you’ve probably heard both sides of the debate: “color doesn’t matter, it’s just a tool to get down” versus “color matters a ton.” The real answer: diver color often matt …

Steelhead don’t spread out evenly across a tributary. They concentrate in specific water types based on flow, clarity, pressure, and time of day — and learning to recognize those features is what separates productive anglers from ones who …

When the crowds disappear and the water gets frigid, steelhead can be concentrated—and surprisingly catchable—if you adjust your approach.

Steelhead demand smooth power and clean pressure during a wide, fast run. Your trolling rod must load deep, protect light hooks, and keep pressure steady through surges at the surface. I troll Lake Erie and the Great Lakes for summer steelhead, fall …

Why streamers? It’s really a simple question to answer. It’s because I like absolute violence unleashed at the end of my fly line. The take when swinging a big articulated fly is just that, and few other freshwater fly fishing pursuits ca …

Clear water rewards precision and punishes noise. Steelhead see more. Steelhead spook easier. You must cut flash, downsize gear, and slow the pace. This guide lays out a clean plan for approach, rigging, lure and bait selection, speed control, and st …

Back trolling puts your lures or bait in front of moving steelhead and keeps them working in the strike zone. You point the bow upstream. You slow the boat below river speed. You guide each pass down a lane with purpose. This guide shows you how to r …

Plugging lets you place a lure in front of traveling steelhead and keep it there. You control speed, angle, and coverage. You read the rod tips, tune the plugs, and work each seam with intent. This article explains the full system with simple steps a …