Spinner Fishing for Steelhead, Salmon and Trout

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding description of a highly effective method
Review: If you thought you understood steelhead fishing before reading this book, you are in for a big surprise. Davis not only explains the theory of how and why steelhead act the way they do, but he clearly and efficiently puts it to practical use by showing anglers exactly what spinners to fish in all conditions and how to fish them. As he points out in the opening chapter, nothing is left out or glossed over. He goes into excruciating detail on everything. But don't, for a minute, think this will bore you. You will be on the edge of your seat as he tears apart conventional beliefs and introduces you to whole new way of looking at things. For example, most trout and salmon anglers think that steelhead become lethargic in cold water and must be angled for with tiny baits. Well, here comes Jed Davis with a silver-plated #5 spinner in 32 degree water. I must say that I laughed my head off at first. Like how did this thing ever get published? Surely, this man had to be a lunatic. But I tried the technique in upstate New York and at my parents house near Bellingham, Washington. I hate to say this but his system works. Most guys keep this type of thing a secret. Not Davis. This is more like true confessions of an expert steelheader. Regardless of the method you fish, this book will give you tremendous practical insight. Definitely one of the best fishing books I ever read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent all around guide for fishing steelhead, esp in NW
Review: More than just a book on lure selection and presentation, Jed Davis describes how optimal lure size and color differs according to water temp, sunlight and water color. Viewing spinners as 'attractors' makes spinner fishermen much closer to fly fishermen than they might otherwise think. Davis' love of fishing -- bordering on the obsessional -- permeates the book and makes it more entertaining to read than most how-to books are. (It also raises the question "What does this guy do for a living?" He fishes only weekdays, and you have to sell a lot of spinners to pay the rent.)As a new steelhead fisherman, I read and re-read the book to good effect. It took a couple of readings before I gleaned two key points. First, this technique works best on smaller rivers and streams. Second, being the first angler of the day to present an 'attractor' (i.e. spinner) in a size which almost (but not quite) spooks the fish is the best way to catch steelhead. There are a certain percentage of 'aggressive' (read 'dumb') fish in the river on any given day and Jed Davis' goal is to present his spinner to as many of these fish as possible. Using the author's techniques works, particularly if you sight fish and are prepared to cover a lot of water. Reminds me (somewhat) of the Teeny method of fly fishing for steelies: put it in front of their noses and slam'em!