Whenever the temperature rises suddenly, you should fish hard for as long as it continues to warm. Some anglers fish exclusively by this cool trick because it works. Photo by Terry Jarmain.

This time of year, steelhead fishing is all about timing how fast rivers clear up, watching for rising temperatures and noting driving distance.

Check weather patterns often, with a focus on mountain passes where snow runoff can affect the movement of fish. If the temperature rises quickly, the fish will soon go on the bite. Make sure you are on the water when that happens.

Bank-fishing for winter steelheads is much easier than fishing from a boat. But the additional hassle of putting in and navigating a river from a vessel usually pays off.

A boat gives you better chance to find the holds that get little fishing pressure, and that means more fish on the hook. It's probably the most productive way to fish for steelheads and trout this time of year.

When drifting, give yourself an extra two hours before heading out, and you'll find yourself on the water as the sun comes up.

PUYALLUP RIVER, PIERCE COUNTY
Regarded by some as the center of the universe for steelhead fishing, the Puyallup River produces whether it runs clear or turbid.

Mt. Rainier feeds the system. You can watch the freezing levels anywhere along the entire tributary system of the Puyallup. Most of the time, this river runs silty, with near zero visibility. But in the winter, conditions can clear the river overnight.

Saltwater fisherman Ron Sullivan loves to fish the Puyallup River so much that he'd rather fish it than anywhere else. The Kirkland, Wash., angler said the river is so consistent that it's worth fishing, regardless of what the water looks like.

"So long as you know where to look," he said, "there are so many fish it's hard not to find them."

During the day, temperatures rise and the volume of the river increases, but it doesn't color up until dusk. The best way to fish any given part of the river is either to drift the faster currents with drift-fishing gear, or fish eddies and tail-outs with spinners that have hooks no larger than No. 2s. Do your fishing above each tail-out and eddy so that there is a significant swing in the drift of the spinners as they get closer to the hold. Drift spinners the same way you would leaders and terminal gear associated with drift-fishing. After you're fishing the clear water for a few minutes, winter steelies will let you know how good each presentation is.

If you end up fishing the river when it's turbid, take the time to cast out at 1-foot intervals, and then make subsequent casts the width of the river before moving on to the next hold.