Chovie, I feel your pain. It took me 3 years of fishing to catch my first steelhead. What I realized was that I had several bites that I did not recognize. Here's my advice (this and $2 will buy you a mediocre cup of coffee). I would choose a river that you want to call your home river. Being in Seattle I would recommend the Sky or the Green. Hire a guide for a day and tell him or her that you would love to catch fish but you are mainly interested in learning the river. Watch, listen, learn, ask questions. The money you invest will come back ten fold in greater success. After the guide trip, fish early, fish often. Make notes of river heights, clarity, weather conditions, dates and times. These fish are not magical. They behave by instinct and will repeat their behavior under similar conditions. Your diary will become your roadmap. Read this board, there are some great fishermen on here and more than a few are generous with their knowledge. Keep at it, you'll get there!