High Water

Folks,
 
Monday river was running around 1100, downstream a bit more run-off. Today, tough fishing, river running at 1400 plus more run-off down river. Water stained.
 
Fresh fish around and very aggresive if you find some. Landed three Monday, largest 14 lbs. All dime bright.
 
High water=fresh, happy fish.
 
Tight lines,
 
OldSalt

 
Felt like December on Tuesday, Weds and Thurs water increased, so did the fish, going up again to 1800.  Good amount of big fresh steel around. Lots of hook-ups each day if you find fish. With this flow they are not pressured and very aggressive. Mostly used natural colors and nymphs, occassionally a fish would go for a big streamer. Should be a great chrome season if these flows keep up.
 
Will post some pics if anything comes out, was a bit wet and nasty for the camera.
 
Tight lines,
 
OldSalt

I was going to go with my drift boat but the high flows made me stay home. I can't wait to go in a few weeks to wack some steel with my buddies!

 

ORIGINAL: Catching Chrome

I was going to go with my drift boat but the high flows made me stay home. I can't wait to go in a few weeks to wack some steel with my buddies!

 
I would think that fishing from a driftboat in the high flows would be great.
For one thing, you would not have to manuever around the folks that wade mid-stream.
 
Are you an inexperienced rower that lacks confidence?
I guess it is better to stay safely within the limits of your capabilities.
 
I am not judging you, just curious.
 

Backin,
 
Yes, some nice browns around. You may have to fish for them a bit different and you usually pick up one or two fishing for steelies, especially with eggs.
 
If you're using a spinning rod with a float, the longer the rod the better. I use the fly rod 'till mid, late-november then switch over to a float rod. Really depends upon temperature, fly line can be a pain when the temps are in the 20s or below.
 
Use naturals, nymphs, as the steelies are feeding on them now. Every 1/2 hour or so switch over to a bright streamer, when a steelie see's something new they will usually take on the first drift, so be prepared.
 
Carry eggs or cured skein on ya, and drift that with a float if your not getting anything on flies. Always use less weight than you think, you'll get a better drift.
 
Remember, if you fish an area for an hour or more and nothing move on.
 
These tactics work pretty well until the winter mode sets in.
 
Tight lines,
 
OldSalt

oldsalt, thank you for the tips.. i will certainly try a few woolybugs along with brighter patterns.. the only rod i have best suited is a 9.6ft. okuma im8 i purchased a few seasons ago at fat nancys.. was about 90 bucks, works with a 2000 stradic.. i like 6lb fireline and always use a quality barrel #14 with a green max tippet say 5 to 8 lb depending on flow/conditions last weekend catch me a 4 lb fresh BT in the catskills spooning..these eggs I boraxed and ziplocked  for friggin. I intend to tie me up a few dozens blues yellows orange should we track up that way around thanksgiving.. mostly up to the weather so far. but i would like to try a couple days sr  fishing for steelies ! i'll let you know before we headup,later!