1. Good topo maps.
2. Read the SASSI report.
2. GPS in your vehicle, maybe a handheld, too.
3. If no handheld, then get a compass.
4. Drive, look at the maps and GPS, get out and hike.
5. Fish.

Be willing to hike around a lot, be willing to fish streams that aren't stocked, be ready to have a handful of disappointments before finding a gem...and then hold those gems close to your vest.

There are a ton of streams that aren't listed in the regs because they fall under "general stream" rules...or at least don't mention steelhead specifically in the special rules sections, just stuff like "Two Trout over 14, selective gear rules" and the like.

It also really helps to have some sense of the basic biological needs of the fish you're targeting...if you have that, then the topo maps are your best friends, along with a calendar...it doesn't do you much good to fish a stream that has everything you want, but to fish it six weeks too late for when the fish are there, or to fish an area six miles from where the fish are in the stream.

Once you've located likely streams that combine the fish you're after (SASSI), with areas that satisfy the geographic/biologic needs of the fish you are after (topo maps and calendar), drive as close as you can get to those areas (GPS), and get out and hike (compass, handheld GPS).

Then fish.

Don't expect people who have put in that work to share the information...but if they do, don't share it further for them. It's a true gift for someone to give up spots they've located in that manner, and further sharing them without their OK not only will get you cut off from further spots, but may contribute to having them feel like their work has been wasted.

I've been lucky enough to have a handful of fishing partners who do that kind of work, too, and so long as the information is kept in-house, it's pretty freely shared amongst us...makes for some good fishing trips!!

Fish on...

Todd