Master the Art of Bank Fishing: Catch More Steelhead with JD Richey.
Stop guessing and start catching. Get 6+ hours of pro-level instruction from a guide with 25 years of experience.
The struggle is real.
We’ve all been there: You spend a fortune on gear, wake up at 4:00 AM, and drive through the dark only to stand in the freezing rain for eight hours — just to go home skunked... again.
Stop guessing and start catching.
Steelhead are famously called the “Fish of 1,000 Casts.” But without a solid understanding of the fundamentals, it could take you 10,000. Think about the money you’ve already spent on rods, reels, and terminal tackle – much of which might actually be hampering your success.
Stop wasting your limited weekends on empty runs and $50 tanks of gas. This course pays for itself the moment you stop losing $10 lures in the wrong water.
It doesn’t have to be a guessing game. As a professional steelhead guide since 1998, I’ve spent two decades decoding these rivers. I’ve fished with the best steelheaders on the planet and personally coached thousands of clients. I’ve bundled that lifetime of knowledge into a system that cuts through the noise and puts more fish on your line.
The Ultimate Roadmap to Steelhead Success.
I’ve packed 25 years of professional guiding experience into one streamlined, easy-to-follow online course. You’ll get 6+ hours of high-definition video instruction covering every technique you need to go from “skunked” to successful—without the years of frustrating trial and error.
This isn’t just a collection of tips; it’s a proven system that lays out step-by-step techniques for reading the water and choosing the right gear for any river condition.
Master the Steelhead Essentials
Stop fishing “dead” water
I’ll show you how to read the river like a pro so you can identify the exact spots where steelhead hold. Mastering water reading will instantly take your game to the next level.
Predict the bite window
Get expert insight into when to hit the river based on real-time conditions: river flows, water clarity, and temperature. You’ll learn to predict the “bite window” instead of just hoping for the best.
Gear up with confidence
Take the guesswork out of your tackle box. Learn exactly which rods, reels, and lines you actually need—plus the essential lures and baits that consistently trigger strikes.
The Ultimate Bank Fishing Blueprint: 15 Masterclass Modules
The Ultimate Guide to Bank Fishing for Steelhead includes 15 course modules, including:
The Habitat Map
Learn how to pinpoint fish in any river by decoding flow, temp, and water color.
The Classic Producer
Master the technical nuances of drift fishing—the most essential skill in your arsenal.
The Float & Doggin’ Method
Comprehensive coverage of suspended floats and “bobber doggin’” for maximum coverage.
Triggering the Strike
The gear and swing techniques needed to make steelhead aggressive with spoons.
Bank-Side Plugging
Master the art of rigging and running plugs effectively from the shore.
Condition Mastery
Don’t stay home—learn how to get bit when the river is high and "blown out".
Low Water Techniques
Finesse tactics for catching fish in “gin clear” and tough low-water conditions.
The Menu
A deep dive into the lures and baits that actually trigger a steelhead's predatory instinct.
DIY Baits
Stop buying generic baits. Learn to cure your own “deadly” roe and tie custom yarn balls.
How to Make Yarn Balls
Step-by-step instructions for making these cheap, fun, and highly effective baits.
The Pro Finish
All the basics you need to safely land, handle, and release your fish after the hook-up.
Essential Tools
A guide to the specific tools that make your life on the water easier and more efficient.
River Etiquette
Avoid the drama by learning the unwritten “rules of the road” for river fishing.
Safety on the Water
Essential protocols for staying safe in cold, fast-flowing steelhead rivers.
Bonus Tips
An extra section filled with 25 years of "pro-only" steelhead fishing secrets.
For a full list of the lessons included in this course, head on over to our Curriculum Page.
Featuring on-the-river tutorials with JD
What our students are saying
“I know more about fishing than the average person. But JD’s knowledge of fishing is vast. And this is just one species. He’s an artist. Actually... More like 25% artist 75% scientist.”
— Matt Steiger
Loaded with easy to understand diagrams
About Your Instructor.
Captain JD Richey has been a full-time steelhead and salmon guide since 1998, leading expeditions across the rugged waters of California and Alaska.
As a veteran outdoor writer, he has authored several books and penned thousands of articles for national fishing magazines and regional newspapers. JD is a frequent guest on national radio and TV shows and maintains the popular online magazine, FishwithJD.
Throughout his career, JD has fished with and learned from industry legends, including:
Buzz Ramsey: Legendary steelheader.
Nick Amato: Of Salmon Trout Steelheader fame.
Jim Teeny: Fly fishing pioneer.
JD has bundled this lifetime of professional knowledge into this course to help you skip the years of trial and error and start catching more fish today.
Sample Lessons.
Check out a couple sample lessons from this course below:
FAQs
Is the course worth the investment?
Absolutely. When you factor in the cost of fuel, gear, and lost lures, a single 'skunked' trip can cost more than this course. You aren't just buying videos; you're buying a shortcut to 25 years of professional guiding knowledge that will save you money and frustration in the long run.
Why not just use YouTube for free?
YouTube is great for random tips, but it lacks a cohesive system. This course is a structured, step-by-step roadmap designed to take you from 'guessing' to 'catching.' Instead of hunting through hundreds of unorganized videos, you get a proven professional curriculum that respects your time.
I’ve never been steelhead fishing, and want to get started. Is this course good for complete beginners?
This course is perfect for anglers who have the basics down but are struggling to find and hook steelhead consistently. If you know how to cast and operate your gear, I will handle the rest—teaching you exactly how to read the water and choose the right tactics for success.
When I sign up for this course, where and when do I show up?
This is a 100% online, on-demand masterclass. As soon as you enroll, you get instant access to all 6+ hours of video, downloadable diagrams, and you can ask questions via email.
How long will I have access to this course?
You’ll have access to this course for as long as I continue to run it, and guaranteed access for at least one year after you enroll.
What if the course isn’t for me?
I want you to be 100% confident in your purchase. If you don't feel like this course has significantly improved your steelhead game, just let me know within 30 days for a full, 'no-questions-asked' refund.
Do the lessons in this course apply to other fish species?
While we’re specifically addressing steelhead here, a lot of the information here will be beneficial to river salmon and trout anglers as well.
Do I always need an internet connection to view the course?
Yes. As this is on online course, you will require an internet connection to access the videos and content.
Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned angler looking to sharpen your skills, this course is designed to take the guesswork out of steelhead fishing. Based on the expert techniques developed with Jeff Richey, we’ve distilled years of on-the-water experience into a straightforward, practical guide to bank fishing. The goal is simple: more fish on the bank.