3.BE WILLING
TO MOVE
Unless you’re spending the day at a single hole waiting for fish to arrive, one of the biggest detriments a bank-angler can have is being tied down. If you’re not mobile enough to find fish, catching them can be tough.

Being mobile can be controlled by many factors, such as what gear you brought, the water levels or how long you have to fish.

Often bank-anglers hit one or two spots before going to work. They don’t have much time to devote to finding fish. Still, if you’re not catching fish, and other anglers around you aren’t either, it’s time to go and search for them. That goes not only for a section of a river, but for exploring other river systems as well. Many winter steelhead streams are small and located near one another, which makes it easier to switch locations.

Over the years, I’ve found that the majority of fish I’ve caught from the bank have come in the first 15 minutes after my initial cast. This is usually the result of the fish already being in the hole, and then being shown something they like.

Bring what gear you need, and no more. If you’ll be using various approaches, some gear or extra rods can be left in the rig, so as not to tie you down. Be ready to fish a different method, however, should the need arise. You may need to be floating jigs at one hole and drift-fishing yarn balls at another. Be willing to diversify, try various approaches and stay on the move. Equip yourself to be mobile. It can pay off in the form of more fish.

4.CHANGE OFFERINGS
Nothing can be more frustrating than knowing that fish are in front of you but not biting. If you feel that steelhead are out there but not responding, often all it takes to make something happen is a certain change in one tiny piece of gear.

Rather than continuing to cast the same thing, recognize that you have options. The possibilities are many. And being aware of what changes can be made to get a bite is one of the factors that separates exceptional anglers from the rest.

Maybe it’s the size of a drift-bobber, the color of a lure or the length of leader. Perhaps 1/4 ounce more lead would slow the presentation, or a shift in your angle would help swing the bait into the sweet spot. Consider adding scent to the bait, or if you have been using a scent, try another flavor.

Possibly your hooks need to be downsized, or your spinners tuned. If the water’s clear and the fish are on edge, a fluorocarbon leader might make the difference that would help you get the bite you’re looking for.

Next time you feel frustrated, try changing some element of your gear to elicit that bite. You may just discover a new approach that will work for years to come.

5.FOLLOW THE CROWDS
An early start isn’t always the best answer for catching fish. In fact, a late start can yield surprising results.