It has been said that the reason we go steelheading is to spend time on the river with the catch being the bonus. However, I go to the river to catch steelhead and my most important tool is the sled. In my opinion, on our larger rivers the effectiveness of the jet sled far outweighs drift boating and bank fishing combined. The mobility and speed of the sled both upstream and down is the main advantage. Learning to capitalize on this characteristic is the key to sled steelheading… or, steelsleding success.

At this time I would like to point out that I am not advocating tearing up the river in the face of our bankie and drifter brethren. It is vital for the sake of the resource that we peacefully coexist. Furthermore, sleds will never replace other techniques nor should they. What I am suggesting is an aggressive fishing strategy using our mobility to 1. Fish first water, 2. Stay on the fish and 3. Fish effectively for a longer period of time.

1. Fish first water

The term "first water" simply means that you've got the first crack at the fish. Yours is the first gear that the fish sees that day. On some days in heavily fished waters this is the best opportunity for a hook up. For instance, our unique ability to run upstream allows us to fish areas below popular drift boat launches prior to the flotilla's arrival. This is also a minimal conflict scenario in that you'll be long gone before the drifters arrive and they'll never know that you've picked their pocket.

2. Stay on the fish

Steelhead frequently travel in groups commonly referred to as "shots" or "runs". Once you've had a strike or put one in the box, rest assured that there's more than just that one fish in the hole. Chances are good that you've located a shot of fish and now you and your sled can go to work. Unlike drift boats that are forced down the river when a heavy fish fights them down rapid, sleds can head right back up and hit 'em again. After touching a fish, flog that same water again and again with confidence. I cannot begin to count the number of times that this tactic has produced for my clients and me. After finding the fish you can start the next day up river and work down to the productive water of the previous day. If you encounter smaller or scarred fish (seal bites, net marks) you can probably assume that you are fishing the tail end of this run as smaller, weaker fish tend to lag behind the main group. Conversely, if you are getting the feeling that you are on the wrong stretch of river (smelling the skunk) you can always head back to the boat launch and try another area. With the sled you are not committed to a day's float and should conditions change adversely you're outta there.

3. Fish effectively for a longer time

The number of steelhead you encounter each day is a function of the amount of time you have gear in the water. Sleds decked out with comfortable seats, heaters, coffee, lunch and companionship allows you to keep fishing longer. Staying on the water later than the other guys is surely the best method of catching more fish but it is only fun if you're somewhat comfortable. Cold winter days make for cooler water temperatures and a steelhead bite that generally occurs later in the day. Boat anglers will be fresher and fishing harder for a longer period of time than the hungry dude on the bank with the cold fingers. Catching more fish is a benefit of putting in more time on the river but the increased opportunity to learn is the real reward. The classroom is open even on days you feel the fishing is poor. Skunk days are a great time to explore new stretches of river. Fish these areas but be satisfied if all you come away with is an understanding of how to work the area more effectively next time. No one was ever born knowing how to read water. Skills develop and techniques improve only through use and practice on new water and differing situations. The education of a good fisherman is an endless, expensive process.

THE FISHING SLED

These days there are really only two layout choices in serious river sled design. The forward helm with windshield and the Guide's choice: the open outboard tiller. Center console jet sleds have been on the way out ever since Ole Evinrude had the guts to bolt a handle to a 200-horse outboard. Tiller control offers the same visibility and boat handling characteristics as the console while offering a significant advantage in reduced initial cost and increased fishing room. Tillers have been slow to gain widespread popularity due to the false perception that a V-6 outboard jet is difficult to hand steer. While all propellers suffer from unequal blade thrust, which generates propwalk and significant steering torque, the jet's housing-enclosed impeller is not subject to this effect. In other words the V-6 jet steers like a 25-horse prop drive outboard.

If your sled will be required to pull significant open or salt-water duty there is more to consider. Staying comfortable or longer, choppy water runs will require a windshield and a little more dead-rise up front (your wife will confirm this information). However, if your trips to the saltchuck are infrequent the open tiller sled offers the most fishing room per foot of anything else that floats. The lower profile of the open boat also has the advantage of being easier to control in a breeze due to the reduced sail area. While looking for a sled you would be wise to check out North River Boats. These hulls drift straight as a string and corner with an ease and tightness that I have not experienced before. North River six-degree Scouts are becoming more popular with guides in particular due to their innovative features such as double rod trays and a level, squared full coaming gunnel that you can actually grip AND bolt equipment to.

THREE PRONGED APPROACH

Now that we have outlined a game plan and sled layout, how do we put it into play? There are three basic methods that can be used effectively from the sled. Boondogging (or side drifting) backtrolling (or plugging) and anchoring. Each of these techniques utilizes a unique presentation speed. To be consistently successful you must be flexible enough to allow river conditions to dictate your presentation. The rule of thumb is the more visibility you have the faster your presentation can be. Conversely, you must slow your presentation to effectively cope with high and dirty water.

BOONDOGGING

An entire book could be written on the nuances of this technique alone. Boondogging or side drifting is the fastest presentation of our three methods, which allows you to cover the greatest amount of water in the shortest period of time. In the ideal scenario a 16-20 foot sled carrying two to as many as five anglers is drifting down the side of the river at the same speed as the current. The boat is kept bow upstream, parallel to the current and controlled by use of a trolling motor or the oars. Each rod is held at a different angle, fishing a slightly different length of line. The stern rod is fishing 90 degrees out from the boat while the bow rod drags directly upstream. Rods amidships are fishing the "swing" positions between bow and stern. It is critical to maintain this distinct rod positioning to avoid crossing lines and to spread the gear out across the river bottom. In this way a huge swath of river can be quickly and effectively covered in a single drift. Strikes can be savage especially from the bow position. When the fish, holding or moving upstream grabs the bait from the boat drifting downstream …the line snaps tight very quickly! In some cases the boat movement alone can actually set the hook. For this reason I tend to place less experienced drift fishermen in the bow or drag position. Due to the speed of the drift, boondogging is most effective in visibility of about three feet or more.

BACKTROLLING

With the trolling motor idling in gear the sled is gradually allowed to slip downstream. The anglers let out the plugs or bait diver rigs, and place the rods in the rod holders. At this point the boat operator's skills come in to play, as he must place the plugs in the fish zone. Unless the drift possesses a well-defined slot the operator should gradually sweep the plugs back and forth as the boat slowly descends. The fish can hold anywhere from the first hint of current on the bank, to the edge of the heavy water in the middle of the river. Backtrolling (or plugging) provides for a much slower presentation, which allows your bait to be an easier catch for larger fish in particular. A slower offering is also desirable in reduced visibility situations. Since the fish holding in a drift is experiencing a limited range of view, a backtrolled bait will stay in the strike zone longer and therefore have a greater chance of getting picked up by the fish. Plugging sled style is slightly different than drift boat style. The trolling motor utilized by the sled requires deeper water to avoid grounding the prop. Vibration and noise produced by the kicker could possibly spook fish so generally I run the plugs out sixty feet rather that the usual fifty. In addition I use a fishfinder with a transom mount transducer not only to monitor depth but to also observe any fish activity under the boat.

ANCHORING

With the sled at anchor any fishing technique can be utilized. You may anchor drop to drift fish a small pocket or to float fish a backwater edge. Plugs can easily be fished from the sled anchored in a slot where steelhead and salmon migrating upstream will bump into them. However, plunking from the sled at anchor is probably the best dirty water trick in the book. As our rivers recede from the all too frequent floods it is the plunker that has first crack at the fish. Good high water fishermen will be catching fish in water that no self-respecting drifter would be caught dead fishing. After the rivers stabilize and begin to drop, the feeder streams clear well before the main river. Steelhead will hold in these areas of cleaner water seeking a break from gill-irritating silt. The trick is to anchor above the crick mouth and drop a slip sinker plunking rig into the clear water "plume" which pushes out into the main flow. Look for the area of mixing where the "plume" begins to disappear and fish that clear/turbid edge. Slowly work the rod tip up and down and walk the rig downstream into position, then sit back and watch. When the rod tip starts down don't -I repeat- do not set the hook. Strip a few pulls of line off the reel and feed it to him. Let the fish take it until line is peeling off the reel then nail 'em. Be prepared to cut loose from your anchor with a float system so you can chase the fish downstream. When he hits that heavy high-water current it will be tough to coax him back to the boat. I agree that plunking is not everyone's cup of tea but any day on the river beats staying home. By far my favorite reason for anchoring is to fire up the barbecue and put the venison on the grill. Sure we're taking a break but the fishing does not stop. I always plan to be at a good anchor drop spot around lunchtime to drop the plugs back or simply plunk for a little while. It's the only time that I enjoy having a meal suddenly interrupted!

Learn to be versatile and play the hand that the river has dealt. Attempting to stick to one technique amounts to fighting the conditions and usually results in more frustration than fish. Enjoy your sled safely and use your mobility with the knowledge that speed is a double-edged sword. I for one have never caught a fish at full throttle.

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