I'm not sure that I get out enough to make a real case study of this but does anyone think that the color of jig/plug/corkie that worked best one year may not be the same color that works best the next year? And what about scents, one year I had some "nitecrawler" smelly jelly and outfisher everyone. this year it might as well be poopjelly, and I'm catching fish with some good ol shrimp oil that I've been packing for 12 years and had very little success with. I've also had to change from my old standby color of jig to something a little more colorful.

I don't think that the steelhead color preference changes from year to year, but rather is determined by the environmental conditions such as water temp, visibility, etc...

That being said, some years have higher average water levels, and therefore brighter colors and or larger baits would have generally been more effective during the majority of the fishing days for that year.

Steel-Addicted

mt. mike

I can guarantee you that colors make a big difference every year when I jig fish Silvers on the Cowlitz. Can't speak for other river, but have found that what had worked great the year before doesn't always work great the next year. Always try different colors until you fine the one that works for you. I have used killer colors one year, and the next year couldn't buy a bite! Never be afraid to try a new change of color!

Cowlitzfisherman

Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook????