Has anybody actually seen a steelhead take a drifted lure? Do they chase it down or do they see it coming and swing over to intercept it?

I have only seen them move out of the way of my lure

I have seen a steelhead move out of the way, wait until the lure is about 20' below the fish , then turn and swim downstream and smash the lure. I have also watch a fish drift back at current speed and chew on eggs then let go and swim up to the original holding spot. then repeat the process on th enext drift. One was a winter fish the other a summer fish.

I have also watched a Steelhead swim down river to grab my corkie, of course I got excited and yanked it right out of his mouth. Most of the time I have no idea what they do. I am sure they do follow a lot of drift gear accross with the sweep and then take it.

Thanks, For the info this really helps.

I've seen a winter fish actually come out from behind a rock and intercept my drifted lure from a boat, seemingly before he could have seen it. Almost like he sensed it coming. Maybe he had seen it upstream and been pushed down by it.

I've also seen summer runs move away from a series of lures, all presented in a continually less aggressive color and size pattern hoping to make them strike to no avail.

The only summer steely I've ever got at B.C. (I avoid it if possible), we were driftin my buddy's sled down through the jungle, which was pretty quiet save a few die hards.

I made an upstream cast and got a bird nest. Whilst I was untangling my line, my spoon free drifted through the slot and wammo! Spoondoggin!

A couple times I've seen winter runs just slide over and open their mouths. But I had a summer run once on the Kalama come across from the other bank at high speed to attack my offering.

About a month ago we drifted the Cowlitz and anchored up near a downed tree. I was following my pink worm through the drift and saw the steelie come flying out from under the tree (downstream), take a mighty swipe at the worm, and miss.... Needless to say, I never saw that fish again.

101,

I've seen them do both.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.