Fly Fishing For Steelhead
Although I only have a few years of experience fly fishing for steelhead and my experience is limited to Walnut and Elk Creeks in Erie, I wanted to share with you some quick tips that others have shared with me and that I have found to be very useful.
- Be prepared - Do your research. Use the Internet. My favorite site is FishErie.com. It is an awesome site for information on fishing Lake Erie and its tributaries. You'll definitely want to check out the list of bait and tackle shops to call for information (I recommend Poor Richards as they are very active and involved in the forums and have provided me with good information when calling on them), and also check out the sections titled Fishing Reports, Angler Maps (print these out and take them with you), Stream Fishing and Flies. Also, be organized and lay out all your gear prior to your trip. Check it and double check it. Once you're on the stream, you want to stay there.
- Know your flies - make sure you research the steelhead flies for the area you'll be fishing. I've fished Walnut and Elk Creeks in Erie and have found that by far the most popular flies are the egg patterns and sucker spawn. Other popular choices are woolly buggers, egg sucking leeches, a multitude of colorful streamers and nymphs as well. The key is to have as many colors of the egg and sucker spawn patterns as you can get your hands on because you never know what color will work from one day to the next. Don't be afraid to ask a fellow fly fisherman what they've had the most success with.
- Check your tackle often - this is much more important in steelhead fishing than in fishing for smaller trout. There's nothing more frustrating than losing a fish to a snapped line as the result of a wind knot or missing a strike because of a dull hook because these situations can be prevented if you take the time to check your gear periodically.
- Know where the fish are - again, use the internet. View the fishing reports. Talk to other anglers. Call the local bait shops. The more you know prior to your trip, the more efficient and productive you'll be while you're there.
- Go for comfort - since steelhead spawn in late fall and early spring, you'll typically be fishing in adverse weather conditions. Make sure you dress comfortably for a full day on the stream. If it's cold, layer with clothing made of natural materials that allow your skin to breathe and allow perspiration to escape. Wear sweat pants under your waders for added warmth while wading in the frigid water. If it's a rainy day, take along a hooded and possibly insulated rain jacket or poncho in natural/earth tone colors to blend into the surrounding landscape.
- Find a good guide - naturally this is only if this is going to be your first time and you don't have anyone available to show you the ropes for free. Initially, the guides fees may seem a little steep, but after the experience, I'll bet you'll forget all about the price paid and will view it as money well spent. Again, use the internet to search for a list of guides. Make sure you speak to the guide before hand and get a good idea of exactly what he has to offer and get a feel for their experience. Look for someone who has been guiding for a long time and someone that you feel comfortable talking to over the phone. If you sense anything negative in the phone interview, it will probably be the same in person.
- Keep fishing - be relentless and keep your fly in the water. That's the only way you're going to catch fish. Practice and perfect your casting and presentation.
- Keep moving - if you're not having any luck in a particular area and you've tried different patterns/colors, move on. Steelhead can turn on or off at a moments notice. Don't waste time thinking that they may turn on again. That may not happen for a few hours or even until the next day.
These are just some quick tips that I truly believe will help every aspiring steelheader. I know they've helped me. Good luck!
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