Erie Steelhead

[chrisfish]

Sorry I have not reported in a LOOONNNG time! It got cold here right after Thanksgiving and it hasn't stopped snowing since! As of this writing, it is 17 degrees and snowing. Most of the west sides creeks are frozen over. I will report when I get the nerve to try it out. I may get to go ice-fishing soon. I will let you all know how that goes! Until then Merry Christmas!

Chrisfish

[chrisfish]

The creeks are all but froze over. But my sister and I went up to Peek n' Peak in Findley Lake, NY. About 6 inches of snow fell while were skiing! It was the best experience I have ever had skiing. I will try to link up the pictures we have. I have forgotten how to do it again! Sorry!!

Chrisfish

[skibum]

Ahhhhhhh, Living the life on two sticks :D

[chrisfish]

how do you put pictures on here? I am lost once again!! Thanks in advance

[skibum]

Add your pic to the photo section, then copy/paste the address here using the and with the address in the middle...

[chrisfish]

I can't even get them onto the photo section ...

Chrisfish

[skibum]

hmmm, well you can email them to me and i'll post them for ya. Thats about all I know to tell ya...

[chrisfish]

I keep clicking the upload button. That is right isn't it? If it is, then I will try to email them to you. My wife informs me it could be because I have not changed the size of the pictures? I have no clue!!

Chrisfish

[chrisfish]

Happy New Year to all! May this year bring many tight lines to all!!

Today, January 3rd has brought very mild conditions to NW Pa. All the ice is off the creeks and the water is up to the mid-30's! The air temp made it to the mid 40's way above average. There has been a little run, but the fish are not going very far due to the temp. I saw a few guys land some steelhead today. The biggest one I saw caught was in the 10-12 lbs range. I did not do so well today. I was fishing for the first time in winter conditions. I learn something new every time out!!

Chrisfish

[S.Trutta]

I have had some pretty good success winter fishing for steelhead in michigan and my biggest piece of advice would be to fish very methodically through the runs you know hold fish. When the water is that cold the fish dont expend much energy, meaning you may have to put the fly right on their nose before you'll get a take. Also, slightly sparser smaller patterns take more fish than the giant gaudy pattersn that are so good for autumn and spring fish. As always with the steelies they are tough customers and somedays no matter how perfectly you fish you get nothing. My father and I fished with a guide on the Muskegon about 2 weeks ago and we didnt hook a single steelie all day long throwing every pattern in the box. Good luck and post some pics when you get some, i may not be able to fish for steelies unless im visiting my parents but its always fun to live vicariously through others on here.

Tight Lines and Frozen Toes
Rich

[Grateful Sam]

Start fishing with the color white. I found that this time of year white was always a great color. Anything from size 18 and 20 white sucker spawns with red thread to size 4 and 6 white shiners. Trutta is right, fish the slow DEEP dark holes hard. Stay away from fast water, that river can rise fast from snow melt and it is easy to get swept off your feet in that river. I would start by casting the fly on the opposite side of the creek, high sticking and drifting, work that part for a couple of casts, then cast about 5 to 10 inches closer to you and work your way back across the stream 5 inches at a time until you are fisihing right in front of you. You want to try and cover every inch of those deep holes. Fish deep, cant say that enough (split shot), probably will have to put the fly right on their noses. I remember on Elk Creek that there are some great deep holes at almost every bend, thats a great river. Remember that they like cover as well. You may lose a lot of flies fishing so deep and around cover, but once you land one of those guys, its worth it. :D Good luck, and keep us updated.

[chrisfish]

I went out yesterday and was surprised to find Walnut Creek completely open. I was also surprised to find the fish that were being caught right below the rapids of one of the falls. I had the only other hook-up that I was aware of. I thought it odd that these fish were trying to run up a waterfall in water that couldn't have even been 37 degrees! The water was an awful brown from all the snow melt and rain we have had. I have been sticking to small flies that are white or nymphs in dark patterns have been successful. I know based on the weather that we should get another week or two before winter sets back in. My wife is heading down to Ga., so I won't have a digital camera to take any pics. Thank you for all your advice and look forward to share in my excursions next week.

Chrisfish