Low And Clear And The Magical Stump

May 5, 2005
By Joan Carter

More Articles By Joan Carter

 
Where Oh where is the rain???? It seems that this year we have not been doing the correct rain dance, or maybe it's some kind of El Nino thing, but the Smith River could sure use a good dose of rain. Around here we usually perform a balancing act between low water and blown out, but not this year. Of course, anything could change in the next few days or even hours, but the weather channel doesn't seem to have a radar screen that gives us a lot of hope. I know it is really getting low when I can hear the drift boats bumping down the chute from the outhouse hole. My husband Dan is out there today with three big guys in the boat, so the new Willey will probably have a few new battle scars on her bottom.

For several weeks I have started my morning radio fishing show with the same three words, 'low and clear', and we have been trying to translate for our fishing friends just what those words mean in terms of their fishing experience. I would first like remind everyone that Salmon and Steelhead have very acute eyesight. In other words, if you can see them, they can see you. So you might want to rethink your international orange rain gear and your red plaid hunting hat as appropriate choices. When conditions place you and the fish in close proximity, consider yourself a fish stalker, rather than a fish slayer. If you can't get near them, you can't catch them. These species also have excellent hearing. Since part of their 'radar' system includes vibration, you should try to keep as still as possible in a moving drift boat. This means trying not to bang your rod against the gunnel while negotiating short water, trying not to drop your thermos because your hands are frozen, or leaving your buddy with the hacking cold and cough on shore no matter how much he swears. But realistically, try to keep the noise level down as much as possible.

With low water, the fish have very little area in which to feel somewhat safe. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure they are going to head for the deepest water in which to conceal themselves. So when you see some yahoo drifting right down the middle of a fish lane get him over to the shallow water on the edges as soon as possible. He is scattering the fish and ruining any chance of anyone hooking up after rowing all the way back up a promising area. If he even looks at his anchor rope, you are to consider him suicidal and start rowing away from him as fast as possible.

Presentation is the key in low water, when visibility is clear think finesse. Refrain from heavy weight in shallows. It isn't necessary to get your baits down, and lack of current will hang you up every time. You might even consider no weight in some areas. The color of yarn or puff ball can be toned down as well. In low visibility conditions bright colors can be essential in getting the fishes attention, but unnecessary when waters are gin clear. And don't forget where the fish traveling lane is. You don't need to drift down one edge of the river and cast all the way over to the other edge. Picture yourself as a fish running a gauntlet of flying hooks, and figure out where you would be.

Finally, when water is low there is less water surface per boat, so you and your neighboring driftboats are packing into a smaller area. Be a good neighbor. If boats are working a hole, join the rotation. Pass on the other side of the river in the shallows, don't drift right over the fish lane they are working. Look where they are casting, that should give you all the information you need. Remember, you will have to meet up with these guys sooner or later somewhere down the river and you want them to think kindly of you.

Even with the low water conditions we are hooking fish every day. It becomes really critical to get a good hook set and keep your line tight when you only have a few chances to land the catch of the day.

Just yesterday our friend Mike gave us a story to relate for the next forty years. Down river someone has conveniently placed a pair of red panties over a stump that closely resembles a lady standing on her head with her legs pointed to the sky. Quite often Dan has passed the stump and seen a dollar bill tucked inside. He has been kidding Mike that the panties must mark the spot where the big fish hang out. Mike was convinced that yesterday was the day he would hook the "big one" at just this spot, and showed Dan he had his dollar bill at the ready as they approached ground zero. He cast right below the panties, and guess what????? FISH ON!!!!

Mike landed the largest steelhead he has ever caught on the Smithy in all these years fishing with Dan. After releasing his 20 pound beauty, he made Dan row all the way back up to the aforementioned stump, and placed his dollar bill right where he said he would. Not too often things work out like that, but a dream come true couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

So even if the conditions are low and clear, don't be discouraged. You might want to consider going down with a guide, just to get some pointers on finesse fishing techniques, and reading water. Take your time and enjoy yourself. After all, on a river as knock down gorgeous as the Smith, the ride is spectacular and the fish are a bonus. Hooking and fighting one of it's killer steelhead is better than any 100 fish day on any other river I know of.

Post Script:
Right after I finished this story, we had a deluge. All the rain we were waiting for came at once. The river approached flood stage, and the magical panties as well as the 'leggy' stump headed for the mouth of the river. I wonder if some fisherman down at the mouth gazed out over the raging water and spied a pair of "legs" pointing skyward with just a hint of red flashing every now and then. Guess we'll have to look for some other magical charm for next year.