The fact you've been ice fishing tells me you don't live on the west side of the state. If you don't live on the west side of the state, chances are that you live on the east side. If that's the case, this time of year should be great on the Methow, the Clearwater, or the Grande Ronde for late summer steelhead. In fact, this should be prime time. Try drifting some pale beads or casting some gold, copper, or black spinners. When you catch them this time of year, they're not good table fare. If they're hatchery fish, bonk 'em, look around to make sure nobody's watching, then drop them back in the river. They're worth more as stream nutrients than on your table or the spawning beds.

Yes, get yourself a small boat (something very portable). As you now know, bank access is at a premium round here, and it's really hard to get up early enough to be the first guy there.

After that, keep trying. If you get really desperate (or just want to take an awesome trip), call up the owner of this fine site. If he can't get you into something big and awesome, it's a safe bet nobody can. Even in that scenario, hanging it up should be out of the question.