We are out here at the Niagara Whirlpool casting spinners for steelhead. The shorelines are busy as the trout are out here ...

Rider owns The Outdoorsman, a store in Winthrop, Washington, and he's had a lot of customers this week buying flies and other essentials for steelhead fishing on the Methow River.

Those interested should call the Alsea Hatchery at 487-7240. So far, about 2,000 adult wild steelhead have returned to Alsea Hatchery. About 1,000 have been moved downstream.

A fishing guide told me that the river level dropped from 14 feet to 7 feet over Christmas weekend, which apparently entices the winter steelhead to move up river. When I ventured out the day ...

Hundreds of steelhead were milling in the hatchery holding pond and in the new fish ladder on opening day, but relatively few fish caught by anglers.