When chasing winter steelies, I've always had the most success between 9 A.M. and 11 A.M.

One explanation might be that in these late-morning hours, the water has warmed half a degree or two from its early-morning lows, making the steelhead a bit less lethargic and thus more readily enticed.

Another explanation could be that I'm not fishing where/how I should be in the very early-morning hours, or that in the excitement and anticipation of the new day, I fish the water too hastily.

As for my lack of success in the afternoon, I attribute that mostly to the fact that after hiking/wading the river for six or seven hours, I'm usually tired and cold and hungry by 1 or 2 P.M., so I hop in my truck, hit Small Fryes in Fall City for a burger and those good, salty fries, and then I call it a day.

That's me.

I'm curious what others have experienced. What's YOUR best time of day for hooking steel?

That time range seems to be the most effective for me as well. 9AM is about time that 3rd jug of coffee hits, so I can pay attention to my line instead of that warm bed I left.

The afternoon seems less productive because I'm usually home catching football games, but the daylight might also have something to do with it. Unless the rivers are up, the extended hours of afternoon light may make a fish a little more leary of striking.

H-man, I agree with you, 8 am-12 noon are when I've picked most of my snoqulime rv. metal-heads. Thou had some good bites late in the day when the fish are in thick(which has'nt been the last few years) Maybe it will pick up this winter, as it seems to be a good one for all the salmon saltwater to river.........chrome

You answered your own Q pretty well, HSL.

I'd say the best hours for winter steelheading are the daylight hours.

Well, okay, the morning might be best, but there are a couple situations when I've had hot fishing repeatedly all through the day. One is high water, particularly after a long dry spell. The fish will push through all day and can be picked off again and again in the same location. Another situation is rapidly falling levels, but don't we all know that? And a third...well...if you find a honey hole that receives shade late in the afternoon, pound it until the sun goes down.

When the water's dropping and from 10:00-dark.
Keith

Mid day into the afternoon,Best if a good football game is on