It doesn’t matter how many boxes filled with neatly organized flies we carry with us on the stream. Split shot, strike indicators, spare leaders, and spools of tippet are great accouterments, but none of it translates into finding trout during the harsh of winter.
A perfectly weighted rig with beautifully tied flies means nothing if there aren’t trout present. The truth is, the most important component to any productive fishing excursion is the fish itself. At no time is that more of a challenge than during the frigid winter months.
Part of the hardship of finding winter trout is locating any open water at all. Starting around December, the one component to be mindful of most is the low temperature near the streams and rivers we hope to fish. Rain, snow, wind, angling pressure, and the million other factors that can impact a day on the water pale in comparison to what a few nights of lows in the teens can do.
This is something that can be utilized for trout and steelhead, since both species can feel the wrath of frigid arctic conditions.
Once it seems like the temperatures have cooperated enough to justify a fishing trip, the next key is finding the fish once we hit the water. Typically, deeper pools will be good bets as they will be hugging the bottom trying to conserve as many calories as possible. The trouble with this is that the deepest pools can be some of the first to freeze over, or at least get the thin shelf of ice that is still enough to make our casting futile.
Typically, deeper pools will be good bets as they will be hugging the bottom trying to conserve as many calories as possible.
Since this is where the fish like to hang out, the best course of action is to drift our flies right at the head of the pool where the faster run or riffle empties into the depths. Look for the color changes that indicate the most dramatic of depth changes, and hammer them hard. Those steep underwater drop-offs will be a congregating point for trout and steelhead who are looking to hang out near the bottom but still have plenty of food drifting right in front of them from the faster water upstream.
An overlooked key to finding lethargic winter fish is angler persistence.
Trout care about few things, but near the top of the list is consuming and conserving calories. Winter trout and steelhead won’t be nearly as aggressive in their pursuit of flies so it’s imperative that our offerings float right by their nose. This can be accomplished, in part, by persistence in casting. Spots that might warrant half a dozen casts during the spring and summer might now need several dozen before we can be certain our chances have been exhausted. The reason for this is that it might take that many casts before our flies drift close enough to the fish to justify their feeding. It takes a lot of patience, and a stronger commitment compared to fishing in other seasons, but it’s all part of the process of winter fly fishing!
Most anglers associate steelhead fishing with the colors of autumn and snows of winter, but there’s great fishing to be had in spring as well!
Fall rains swell tributaries of Lake Erie and bring in thousands of steelhead from the depths, and with it, hordes of anglers in search of these spectacular fighting fish. A few months later, most start to turn their focus toward trout or other species, but excellent steelhead fishing still exists through winter and into spring. With the change of the season, tactics shift accordingly, so here are a few tips to help catch more fish this spring!
Target Depth
There are a few reasons to target depth during the spring when searching for steelhead. Aside from early and late in the day when fish are more likely to move, steelhead holding in shallow water are often there to spawn. Spawning fish should be left alone and given a wide berth not only from our flies, but from where we’re wading. Choosing to target deeper slots and holes will help avoid some of those steelhead that are in spawn mode. It’s also beneficial since the fish will feel very secure there after spending the winter months clinging to the bottom of the deepest spots.
Use Eggs
Anglers know to use egg patterns in the fall as steelhead instinctively enter the streams to gorge on salmon eggs. In all actuality, chromers probably do more egg eating in spring than any other season thanks to suckers that run into the tributaries. Suckers and steelhead will inhabit the same runs, and for the steelhead, that’s in an effort to feed on the eggs that get swept away from the spawning suckers. Orange and cream are two colors in particular that steelhead love during spring!
Go Early and Stay Late
As the days get longer, steelhead choose the low-light conditions of morning and evening to be active. This especially holds true as the weather warms and the middle of the day reaches the 50s and 60s. Anglers will be well rewarded to hit the stream early and then take a break for lunch before hitting it hard again in the last few hours before dark. It’s also the perfect time to fish faster water as fish move out of their deeper holding lies and into the head of riffles and runs as they prepare to move under the cover of darkness.
Spring is a wonderful time to be out fishing for steelhead. The weather warms, crowds are more sparse, and fish abound for those in search of their fix a few more times before the season ends. As long as anglers remember to adjust tactics and follow these tips, spring is sure to become a favorite time of year to chase after these fish!
Would you rather write the fishing report or read the fishing report?
That’s the conundrum for so many anglers during the cold winter months. Sure, the fish are out there and probably willing to eat, but is it really worth it during that snowstorm that brings several inches of snow and freezing temperatures? The answer to that becomes much easier when you’re armed with the right gear and clothing to combat the harsh conditions of winter!
Hands
Of all the things that threaten to end the day early, cold hands and fingers is at the top of the list. The inability to comfortably tie on a new rig and the stinging of frozen fingertips grinds a day of fishing to a halt. During these winter months, I like to bring two pairs of gloves with me. The first pair is fingerless wool, which allows me to stay pretty warm and still maintain a level of function. For those extra cold days, the second pair is a wool mitten that flips down into gloves. When I’m casting, my off hand is in mitten mode for maximum warmth, but it’s still really easy to switch into the gloves for retying or unhooking a fish!
Feet
Keeping feet warm in winter is the toughest thing to achieve. Numb toes that feel more like blocks of ice than extremities is a miserable feeling, and it’s really hard to combat. When it comes to dressing for warmth, wear two pairs of socks. Typically my bottom layer is just a regular run-of-the-mill athletic sock followed by thick wool socks. Having two layers helps a ton, and walking around out on the stream keeps blood circulating, which is about the best you can do when water temperatures are hovering just above freezing.
Layers
Dressing in layers, and having more layers available in the car, is key to a day out in winter. Weather can change in an instant, and even a few degree drop can be debilitating to the cold weather angler. Companies like Simms make some fantastic layering options that are lightweight and warm. A classic winter layering system for me is a long sleeve tee, fleece quarter zip, hoodie, and then a jacket to cut the wind and, if necessary, repel precipitation. Another jacket, usually a puffy warmer option, extra hoodie, and fleece layer are stashed in the truck just in case it’s colder than anticipated or even worse, a fall in happens.
Some of the best action of the year happens during winter, and there is incredible solitude to be found for those brave enough to battle the conditions. Arming yourself with the right gear makes all the difference, however. How much fun you have in a given day often starts with your choice of what to wear before even leaving the house!
That’s always the million-dollar question, isn’t it?
It’s something I’m often asked by curious anglers and prospective clients as everyone tries to time up the run perfectly. Some swear by studying Lake Erie water temperatures, photoperiod shortening, rainfall counts, and a variety of other scientific means to pinpoint when the fish will be in the streams and make a trip to Erie worth it. Is it all snake oil, or data that should be utilized by those attempting to time the run?
The strain of steelhead in Pennsylvania is a fall-running variety that sticks around through spring and their spawning season.
Steelhead begin running and entering the tributaries as soon as Labor Day, but the peak doesn't come until after Thanksgiving. When the spring fish leave the streams (usually sometime in April) in favor of the icy depths of Lake Erie is of far less angler interest than when they enter in fall.
Steelhead begin running and entering the tributaries as soon as Labor Day, but the peak doesn't come until after Thanksgiving.
As a steelhead guide, there are a few key factors I look for when trying to schedule a trip to fish the steelhead run.
Rainfall
Most of the time the Lake Erie tributaries are helplessly low and clear. That makes for challenging conditions going after the fish in the streams, but it also means fewer fresh fish enter from the Lake. Rain events triggering the upstream migration are incredibly important to the start, and continuation, of the steelhead run. Without precipitation to swell water levels and provide fish the ability and security to venture inland, the run would never go off!
Temperatures
This might not be as much a factor in the actual run as just circumstance for the time of year, but falling temperatures coincide with fish entering from the Lake. While the first Erie steelhead start to show up after Labor Day, the “peak” times don’t normally occur until Thanksgiving or Christmas. Steelhead, like other trout species, prefer cooler water and the passing of fall into winter encourages more upstream migration of the run.
Photoperiod
Most of the fish activity, at least in terms of running upstream, occurs at night. The cover of darkness provides security they need to move through shallower areas when they would otherwise be quite exposed. These fish are big, and in the low water conditions that are so often present, they would stick out trying to traverse sections of stream that are only inches deep. That problem is somewhat alleviated during nighttime hours!
What it all adds up to is a run that gets going sometime in October, but doesn’t get really good until November. That can change from year to year based on weather systems and temperatures, but it’s relatively consistent. Checking in with a local guide service, like Wildwood Outfitters, can be a great way to stay plugged in.
Otherwise keeping an eye out for shorter days, more rain events, and dropping temperatures, anglers can successfully time up the steelhead run from their computer and fairly accurately determine when the fish will start their migration!
When the leaves start to tint with orange and yellow and the breeze turns crisp, anglers become obsessed with the pursuit of steelhead.
In Pennsylvania, the steelhead run peaks around Thanksgiving, and in Ohio it’s even later, coming after the New Year’s holiday. The first signs of these fish come much sooner, however! These behemoths from the depths of the Great Lakes start to show themselves in late September, and for many the urge to go after these fish is unbearable. Unfortunately, anglers that target steelhead in these early months often end up disappointed and frustrated!
Go Early
One of the most challenging aspects of early season steelheading is the water conditions. Streams are often extremely low and clear throughout September and October. This makes the fish easy to spot, but incredibly wary. A key to finding success in this early season is to go early. Experienced steelheaders will find that most of their success comes in the pre-dawn light when the fish briefly let their guard down.
Get Walkin’!
Another difficult part of early season steelheading is the number of fish in the tributaries. With each rain, more and more fish enter the waterways. The trouble is that in September and October there might only be one or two rain events that will bring in a run. This results in few fish being in the streams, and those that are in will be located in the lower portions of the drainages close to the lake. That means anglers have to walk to find fish, and when they do find a pod, anchor down and work it hard. Early season fish are often few and far between, so make those shots count when you find them!
Go Light
This is tough to do because the fish are so big! Early season steelhead are full of spunk and vigor, noted by their powerful runs and acrobatic attempts to throw the hook. While anglers will want to use stiff leader and tippet in the 1X and 2X variety, the low and clear conditions call for something much lighter. Fluorocarbon leader and tippet in 3X and 4X will result in more hookups in this early season even if it means a few break-offs!
Getting out in pursuit of steelhead early is one of fly fishing’s greatest pleasures. Having the chance to catch these amazing specimens while wearing only a t-shirt is a unique and memorable experience. Keep these tips in mind to ensure that the early season season outing is full of fun and smiling pictures holding bright chromers fresh from the lake!
It's often noted how one of the great things about fishing is there is no true "season" to it. It's possible to fish and catch a number of different species 12 months a year! That all sounds great until it's snowing and twenty degrees and the thought of a warm fire and hot coffee seems more appealing than a trout stream.
It's during this stretch of the year where we catch up on other fishing chores: stock up the fly box, clean fly lines, plan trips for warmer weather, and the list goes on. This is also when we can kick back and unwind with some reading without fear that we are missing the most incredible bug hatch of the year with 20-inch trout attacking anything that hits the water. One of the great ways to pass the day and still get a fishing "fix" is to dive into the literary depths of fly fishing and be immersed in conservation topics of faraway adventures. Here are three favorites that every fly angler should have at the ready!
Still Life with Brook Trout
Everyone in the fly fishing world knows of John Gierach and his uncanny way of putting the fly fishing experience into words. Nowhere is that more apparent than in his work Still Life with Brook Trout. From Wyoming to Maine to Oregon, John takes readers on his adventures in pursuit of his finned quarry in a matter-of-fact way that can resonate even with the most novice of anglers. There's knowledge to be learned, laughs to be had, and self realization to be discovered in the pages of this book that you'll find hard to put down.
Downstream
This book hits particularly close to home for anglers in the East. There is something so unique about the Appalachian Mountains and the brook trout that reside there. The fish aren't the biggest by any means, but this is their native range and the resilience they had to survive the salvos of human industry is amazing. David O'Hara and Matthew Dickerson wade through not only the fishing itself, but the issues facing the waters that our native brook trout call home as they travel throughout the Appalachians.
Catch and Release
With chapters titled "Fishing is Stupid" and "Golf is also Stupid" it's easy to understand how this selection by Mark Kingwell can resonate with many. Who hasn't had moments where they swear golf would be easier than catching these cantankerous fish, only to go golfing and immediately wish to be back on a trout stream? Catch and Release navigate through topics of boredom, patience, and killing trout through the lens of one fishing trip. Therein lies one of the book's greatest qualities! A fishing trip is so much more than just the fishing itself. Our minds wander to and from topics in the past, present, and future and reading this will remind anglers of this.
Many associate gaudy, articulated streamers with big trout, but it’s often eggs that yield the true giants of the deep.
Pound for pound, nothing has more protein in a trout's diet than an egg. If there is a chance that fish (of any species) are spawning in a given waterway, odds are our quarry will be keying on eggs. As such, anglers should have an arsenal of egg flies on deck and ready throughout the season in order to capitalize on what the trout like best!
Here's how to fly fish egg flies and some of our favorite egg fly patterns for winter trout or fall steelhead.
How to Choose Them
Getting the color and size of an egg fly is just as important as it is with mayflies and midges. Good starting points are orange and light pink, with tweaks being made throughout the day. One of the great things about eggs is how easy they are to tie.
Something that egg tiers like to do is an experiment in different volumes of material. The opacity of the flies results in different “looks” of the fly in the water and thus, more options for the days when fish are picky.
How to Rig Them
When the egg bite is really on, a standard nymph rig might consist of two or three eggs below some weight. In this situation the brighter, and larger, egg is typically tied on first with a smaller fly trailing behind. One of the best trailing flies is a single egg in orange, pink, or cream color. It’s so light that even with weight above the point fly the single egg plays in the current in an almost weightless manner. This is important because, despite their high protein density, fish eggs weigh virtually nothing and move throughout the water freely.
Here is an example of a lightweight egg pattern. It will toss and churn with the water freely as long as you add enough weight above or below it to get it down where the fish is.
This weighted egg fly is great for getting near the bottom. If you're looking to add just a single egg to your nymphing rig and not add any additional weight, having a beaded egg if incredible useful.
Fishing eggs can be somewhat different than conventional nymph rigs. In some ways, specific trout can be pinpointed feeding on eggs just like they can sipping mayflies.
Look for trout hanging below spawning fish. If these fish are moving to the left or right aggressively, it is a sign that they are feeding on eggs. An important note is to try not to fish over spawning fish, but rather the ones downstream feeding on eggs.
Once a fish is targeted, use short drifts with a lot of weight landing the flies right below the spawning fish. If done well, our offerings should sink fast and go right past trout feeding below!
Some of the best trophy trout anglers will say that it isn’t sculpins or mice that catch the biggest fish, but eggs. They can consistently be in a waterway and provide a steady stream of calories that make it worthwhile for fish of all sizes to feed!
When To Fly Fish Eggs
While eggs are great fishing year-round, you'll notice a big difference during the spawning seasons. When looking at the breeding seasons below, you won't be fishing these exact species. In fact, you will be fly fishing the other fish that gather below the breeding grounds to feed on loose eggs that drift downstream. Just commit these seasons to memory as a guideline when eggs will be hot and abundant.
Carp spawn from April to June in the shallow waters.
Brook trout spawn from September into October.
Brown trout spawn from October through December.
Rainbow trout spawn from February through May.
Please keep in mind not to cast near, wade near, or fish spawning trout. These breeding fish are producing the next generation of trophy trout and don't need the added stress or exhaustion of human interference.
Fly fishing guide services can be found in all 50 states and across the globe, for good reason!
It’s a fairly big commitment to spend hundreds of dollars to enlist a professional guide for the day, and anglers want to be sure that their investment is worthwhile. Fishing with a guide means more than just fish in the net, although that’s certainly part of it. Here are four reasons why hiring a guide is the best money a fly fisher can spend!
Knowledge of Local Waters
It’s hard to beat a guide’s knowledge of local waters, regardless of what fish you’re after. Their livelihood depends on the ability to put clients on fish and show them a great day. This can come in handy when trying to learn all about the fishing close to home. A day with a guide can yield a plethora of spots that can be fished after the trip and enjoyed for years to come!
Time Maximization
For anglers with some experience, new waters can be learned eventually. Trout streams are trout streams whether they are in Colorado or New York, and folks can spend time learning all about a new location and catching fish...with enough time! Guides can eliminate the time it takes to learn spots and flies and speed things up a bit. This is especially important if you’re traveling through an area for a brief period of time. If you have five days to fish an area, you don’t want to spend the first three just learning where to go. Hire a guide on day one and enjoy the benefits for the rest of your trip!
Catch Fish!
Catching fish isn’t the only thing that matters on a guide trip, but it’s pretty important! Guides don’t stay in business very long by having clients get skunked, so they typically know where the fish are and how to catch them. There are extraneous factors at play, such as weather and stream levels, but fly fishing guides are in the business of getting their clients on fish!
Rigging Expertise
Each guide has their own way of doing things, from weight placement on a nymph rig to spacing between a dry and a dropper. This is really where anglers of all skill levels can take advantage of their time with a guide. Pay close attention to how the guide is rigging, and ask what the thought process is behind doing it that way. Taking those little tips and strategies back to your own waters will often result in a more efficient and productive way of fishing.
Deciding to book a guide for a morning or full-day is a true investment. There is much to be gained from having access to a professional fly fishing guide and using your time on the water wisely! Pay close attention to how they do things and ask plenty of questions. Not only will it result in fish caught that day, but plenty of fish on trips to come.
In the painstaking weeks leading up to the start of the steelhead run, anglers are left with little to do except stare at weather reports and wait.
Unless...there was something that could be done! Early preparation for the upcoming season can pay major dividends once the run is in full swing and every waking moment is spent thinking about how to get to the tributaries and go after some chrome.
New Line
Some might say that tippet rot is nothing more than an old wives’ tale, but who really wants to take that chance? It’s best to keep a dedicated set of steelhead leader and tippet that never lasts longer than a season or two. Getting a fresh spool of 3X and 4X prior to the season will boost confidence and ensure that a lost fish is certainly not due to faulty line!
Online Research
Is there something to be gained from sitting behind a computer screen? You bet! Each year, state fisheries agencies go through the thankless job of acquiring more public access points on steelhead streams. Typically these can be seen in the form of press releases from the respective agency, but there is also usually some chatter about it on online forums. By learning about these new fishing spots in the offseason, anglers will have a better sense of where they might want to go when the run is in full swing.
Boots on the Ground
A lot can happen from one season to the next. Floods, ice jams, downed trees, habitat improvement devices, and just general changes in the stream bottom can radically change holding lies for steelhead. Going for a walk on a favorite waterway during the pre-run months can provide valuable information on where the fish might be found later into the season. It’s also advised to carry a rod along just in case!
Stock The Boxes
Steelhead, perhaps more than almost any other fish, can really do a number on a fly box in as little as a day. Sharp runs and spiraling cartwheels can shred line to pieces and with it our flies. There are days when a particular size and color of fly can get ravaged thanks to caught fish and snap offs. Refilling our steelhead boxes in summer can help alleviate some of that pressure later into the season. Few things are worse than running out of a hot fly that the fish can’t get enough of!
The weeks and months leading up to the annual steelhead run can feel like an eternity. Instead of anxiously looking at weather reports and praying for rain to bring in that first surge of fish, do the prep work now to make for a great season once the run begins!
Of all the aspects of fly fishing that intimidate anglers, choosing the right line and knowing when to use it perhaps stands above all others.
What is tippet?
Tippet is a type of fly fishing line that is consistently the same weight, poundage, and diameter throughout the entire line with the purpose of being used in snippets. Every time you change a fly and snip the excess off, you are losing more length on your line - simple concept. After a load of snagging trees, catching fish, and changing flies, your line becomes rather short. An easy way to add more length is to attach a section of fly fishing tippet.
What is a leader?
Fly fishing leaders are a tapered section of line that is directly attached to your thick, colored fly line by either a loop-to-loop connection or knot for the use of tying on fly fishing flies. Fly leaders can be hand-woven or mechanically made but are always tapered having one end thicker than the other. Usually, you’ll find leaders in lengths of 7.5-ft, 9-ft, or 12-ft for anglers who fish in varying conditions with 9-ft as the standard.
How to use tippet.
Leaders wear down after extended periods of use and become ineffectively short, thick, and stubby. More often than not, you’ll find your leader too thick to tie a solid knot with. The genius thought, “if only I could add a more thin line right onto this”, may cross your mind. Rather than unpackaging a new leader and taking the time to replace the old one, it may be easier to cut off a section of thinner tippet from the spool and tie it onto your existing leader. Within just a few minutes you can tie on a few feet of tippet and manually craft your own tapered leader.
Different types of tippet and leader.
There are 2 main types of tippet that are categorized by the material used in each. The first is Monofilament, which is generalized by lower poundage, lower prices, and a diverse range of uses for most species. The second is Fuolorcarbon, which is typically stronger, more expensive, and is reserved for occasions that require a more durable line.
Monofilament is the most commonly used in fly rigs. Think of it as the “go-to”, the fly line you use in every situation.
Take care not to leave monofilament out in direct sunlight as UV rays will deteriorate it. I would suggest that before each fishing trip, take a few moments to inspect your line for any kinks, knots, and cuts that seem to compromise the strength of the line. Even more surprisingly, much like humans tippet can even become bruised. This is usually when it takes a beating against rocks and turns the areas a foggy white.
Monofilament
Fuolorcarbon
Knowing when to use 6X tippet instead of 4X or a 7.5 ft leader rather than a 9 ft confounds anglers of all skill levels, and unfortunately, some of our catching woes can be attributed to the line we are using. Here are a few things to consider when deciding what size tippet and leader you should be using.
What Type of Fish
For the catch and release angler, making responsible decisions starts with the size of the line used. Sure, big fish can be landed on 6X and 7X tippet, but at a cost to be sure. A lighter line means longer fights and more stressed out fish, so the size of tippet and leader should be determined somewhat by the fish being sought after.
You’ll hook more steelhead using 6X tippet in low and clear water, but the fight needed to land a fish will undoubtedly raise the mortality rate of a caught fish. For trout less than 20 inches, leader and tippet sizes don’t matter as much for fish safety as they do landing rate of hooked fish. Therein lies the difference in fish targeted to line size to be used. Bigger fish means heavier tippet in the name of conservation!
What Type of Flies
In a typical day of trout fishing, anglers might cycle from streamers to dries to nymphs, all in the same spot! Now, we know things like adjusting weight and indicator depth to match the difference in flies, but our line size should be adjusted as well. A streamer on 6X is just asking for break-offs when even a modest fish crushes a wooly bugger and results in a firm strip-set.
The flip side of this is tossing tiny dry flies that need to land with hardly a ripple so as to not spook any unsuspecting feeding trout. In this situation, lighter is needed not only for the delicate presentation but also to properly thread through the hook eye. A #24 Trico is physically unable to accommodate 4X line because of how small the eye is, and even if it does thread through, the knot will be just as large as the fly itself, threatening to screw up our drift!
What Type of Water
The iconic Montana spring creeks that constantly adorn fly fishing magazines are as iconic as they are challenging. Part of what makes them such a challenge is the incredibly slow current that requires long casts and creeping approaches. It’s in these waters that 7X tippet is the name of the game if one wants to have even the slightest chance at a fish! Drive just a few minutes away and the tumbling mountain freestone streams that feature pocket water havens allow for a thicker line.
General Rule of Thumb
The smaller the number, the thicker the leader. Thicker leaders are designed to cast heavier flies and catch bigger fish. Pair all sizes with 2-7 weight rods for optimal performance.
1x - 3x: Great for large predator fish like bass, large trout, carp, and steelhead. These weights are meant to fight bigger fish and cast larger, heavier flies such as articulated streamers or weighted nymphs with ease.
4x - 6x: Perfect for casting smaller streamers, wet flies, nymphs, and dry flies. These are lighter weight lines for more delicate and precise presentations.
Faster water where trout have less time to inspect our line and flies, allow for a thicker line that won't hurt our hookup chances while increasing our landing rate. It’s the same thought process that allows us to use a size #10 stonefly instead of the #14 that more properly imitates the natural bugs in the waterway.
That’s the name of the game when deciding on line sizes: figuring out the equation of what can responsibly land fish based on the type of flies being used, and in what kind of water. This will eventually become second nature and not only keep the fish safe but result in dripping wet nets and happy fishers!
