After four seasons without a leak, this little trick seems to work. Tackling steelhead-stream headwaters can be difficult. For many anglers, the risk of ripped waders or a busted rod is too great to warrant the trip. However, experiencing total combat with sleek steelhead is worth a few patches on my boots any day. Before heading out this spring, however, carefully check the fishing regulations.
Some headwaters are sanctuaries.
There are plenty of other places to sneak away from the lower-river crowds and do battle with entrenched steelhead in hidden havens.