Steelhead Fishing
Steelhead are one of the most highly sought after fish that fly fishermen fish for. Once you have experienced Steelhead fishing you will understand that there is something special about Steelhead. More than any other fish, Steelhead fishing seems to get under your skin.
You will at times endure great discomfort, hours of casting in the worst weather nature can dish out just for a pull from one of these fish. After all that, the next day you will find yourself right back at it again. These fish are addictive. Once you have a day where you light up these fish, the experience can remain fresh in your mind for a long time and will carry you through the tough days of Steelhead fishing.
Spey rods and sink tip lines and sinking leaders are perfectly matched for this type of fishing.
Fall Steelhead
The first of the Steelhead runs start in the fall around mid-October. These fall Steelhead are at their best, chrome bright and fresh from the lake and when hooked a fall run Steelhead will explode. It is not unusual to see 50 yards of backing and still have to chase a fish down river for some considerable distance. It can be a real challenge just to stay hooked up for the first two minutes, not to mention landing one.
Fall Steelhead have a tendency to chase a swinging fly. This is when we can use all of these brightly colored Steelhead flies that we enjoy tying and fishing.
Winter Steelhead
Winter Steelhead fishing is not for everyone. Ice in the guides and on the fly line, and of course do not forget the snow. This is for the serious Steelhead fishermen. For the dedicated, winter can provide plenty of opportunities.
During the winter Steelhead rivers can often go days without being fished. Winter thaws will cause the rivers water flows to fluctuate, drawing in fresh fish from the lake. Winter Steelhead fishing is technical fishing. Due to cold winter water most of the fishing is done by dead-drifting the pools. The best presentation for the winter are flies such as egg patterns and large nymphs fished on or near the bottom of pools. To achieve this we are often fishing with indicators and long leaders.
Spring Steelhead
Spring is when the Steelhead runs peak. Spring is a season of change. Because of this, spring can be a challenging time to fish. Our fishing techniques must change with conditions. One day we can be using winter techniques, fishing under strike indicators with nymphs and egg flies. Within a few days the river conditions can change and we can be using swing flies to aggressive Steelhead on the gravel beds.
Once this type of fishing starts we use wet flies and streamers. As the spawning cycle winds down and the Steelhead start to drop out of the rivers, this is what I refer to as "swing season"/ This is my favorite time to fish Steelhead.
Now the Steelhead will be spread out through the entire river systems. The more water we can cover, the more fish we can potentially catch. Spey rods, sink tip lines and sinking leaders are perfectly matched for this type of fishing.
