All The Good Holes Are Taken

ORIGINAL: MackJ

I often reacted as my title suggests when I first started fishing the tribs.  I would be frustrated that I couldn't catch steelhead because all the good holes were surrounded by the time I got on stream.  From talking and fishing with more experienced anglers and verifying their helpful info from experience, I have come to learn that the faster water usually has as many fish as the slow, deep pools.  In fact, I am becoming more convinced that the trout holding in the eddies and troughs of the faster water section tend to be more actively feeding and also are less discriminating in looking over and artificial presentation. 

I was out with a less experienced angler and he was surprised at where we had most of our success, saying he would never have thought to fish there.  Once the fish were spotted and pointed out to him by a more experienced angler, he was able to see them and catch them.  I thought I would pass this on as it is very easy to look for fish in the deepest pools and when these are taken by earlier anglers, to get frustrated on the water.

 
amazingly.. the fish will take hook in fast water just the same as slow.  you would think they would be more concerned with trying to swim in the fast current and keep balance rather than hitting a fly, egg or lure.  but my experience shows that it doesnt really matter.  i have caught many fish in fast moving water...
 
but you definately need to adjust your technique to make sure your presentation is accurate
 
in fact.. the largest fish I ever caught on Walnut Creek (was not a steelhead either ) was caught right at the base of a small waterfall where the water was nothing but white bubbles.. she actually hit it once but i didnt set the hook.. very next cast right in the crash of the waterfall i cast again and she was hooked...
 
 
 

ORIGINAL: MackJ

I often reacted as my title suggests when I first started fishing the tribs.  I would be frustrated that I couldn't catch steelhead because all the good holes were surrounded by the time I got on stream.  From talking and fishing with more experienced anglers and verifying their helpful info from experience, I have come to learn that the faster water usually has as many fish as the slow, deep pools.  In fact, I am becoming more convinced that the trout holding in the eddies and troughs of the faster water section tend to be more actively feeding and also are less discriminating in looking over and artificial presentation. 

I was out with a less experienced angler and he was surprised at where we had most of our success, saying he would never have thought to fish there.  Once the fish were spotted and pointed out to him by a more experienced angler, he was able to see them and catch them.  I thought I would pass this on as it is very easy to look for fish in the deepest pools and when these are taken by earlier anglers, to get frustrated on the water.

 
The fish are also alot easier to snag and line in shallower fast water, as I'm sure you and your friend found out.
 
 

I know. They usually get married right out of college.

ORIGINAL: MackJ
In any case, this is no reason to crowd next to D-Nymph in Manchester or Legion Hole. 

 
I've never fished either place, would one recommend I try one?

try the ear

ORIGINAL: STEELYS MANFISH

How does an angler know if the fish is lined? Many people have commented on this topic in past threads but what is the proof that this is actually happening? If I start my drift above an area I suspect to be holding fish and hook-up then did I line the fish?

 
Hookk penetrating the mouth from the outside of the jaw inward, as oppposed to the inside of the jaw outward.  When this happens, the "line" has run through the fish's mouth, lodging the hook on the outside of the mouth, the fish has not eaten the fly or bait or jig.  It's unavoidable sometimes, but some anglers, are experts at doing it intentionally.  When done intentionally, it's a less visually obvious form of frustrated anglers snagging.

Thanks D-nymph. Now I understand. Will have to pay attention the next time Im out to see if it happens to me. If it is then how would I correct my presentation or should I just move along?

ORIGINAL: anadromous

Sometimes a fish may take the top fly and eat it...then as you set the hook it may well pull that fly out at the same time lodging the bottom fly in the outside of the mouth. Moffet has made a living with this notion and I don't think I oppose it.

 
True, that happens alot, if using tandem rigs.
 
You know it happens, because you'll feel the "tug", then the rod tip will pop free, then the fish will be on.  Once you land it, it's usually hooked in the pectoral fin or side of the face.

Also, the fish in the faster water tend to be more aggressive, while fish in pools tend to be in a state of rest...especially during the peak of a run. My personal favorite spot is right at the tail of a pool, to intercept the fresh fish moving up out of the current and ready to smack something. Also usually not as crowded there as it is at the head or center of a pool where everyone tends to congregate. You are basically positioning yourself to intercept and have first dibs at the fish that are moving up, and while  the guys further up may have the advantage of a better drift (sometimes but not always) I'll take more aggressive, less pressured fish over that any time.

Moving fish are more likely to hit a fly.  Absolutely.  As mentioned watch for the fish on the move, they are the ones to target. 
 
If the water is cloudy and high, fish the seams between the fast water and the slower eddies.  Keep your leader as vertical as possible and in the seam for as long as possible.  Fish around natural barriers like rocks, longs, etc... where the faster meets the slower water.  This can be a good place to find a hungry steelie.
 
Another good place is fast water that cuts under a bank.  Swing a bugger in there few times.  You may be surprised at what you pull out.
 
As for seeing steelies in faster and broken water, don't look for a whole fish.  Look for dark horizontal lines that seem to go in and out of focus.  If you do that, eventually you will see a tail or a fin or a head.  These fish can be very hard to see.  Just because you don't see them, that does not mean they are not there.  A good pair of polarized glasses are a huge help.

Good Point Rapman.  They can slide up under a rock and disappear completely. 

So to keep from "Lining" a fish, you should try to keep the weight closer to the fly, or use weighted flies?  When fishing tandems, how far do you guys typically set them apart?  Like a couple of nymphs for example.

I noticed last year in the spring, the only time I have ever done very good fishing in Erie, that the fish seemed to like glo-bugs fished only about 6-10 inches apart.  I deducted(possibly incorrectly) that they thought a hen was dropping eggs and it triggered something in their half starved brains?  It could also have also just been very hungry after a long winter in the tribs with not much more then yarn to eat.

I borderline hate fishing nymphs, and that is basically what trib fishing is about.  I would definately rather be part of a nice sulfer hatch then a guessing game nymph-fest.  I know how much more productive they are supposed to  be then dries, and not just in Erie.  If I fish anywhere but Erie, I rarely use a real Strike indicator, instead going for a large high floating terrestial, or with nothing at all.  I think this is called high sticking, or dumb-luck fishing.  I have about a half hard time casting with a strike indicator.  I read somewhere to shorten the leader in the case of fishing under a strike indicator, is that a fact?

Mack? Alas you have now ruined my entire fishing environment.  I shall never be able to fish where there aren't any (fast water) because you have divulged the secret I have kept to myself for 30 years.  Whatever shall I do?  Where shall I go to get my steel fix?  I will be a lost soul absently roaming the tribs from hole to hole looking for some uncrowded fast water to fish.  Actually it was a very good post!    The trick to getting good hook-ups in fast water is to get the fly below the broken surface water and  down to the slower water at the bottom of a hole.    Water normally runs much slower at the bottom (deeper water) due to less vertical fall and friction and disruption of the flow by rocks.  A good technique to help get the fly down is heavier weight about 2 feet above the fly and very little at the fly this will "anchor" the fly in the bottom of the hole.  I have used more than 2 BB sized weights to get the line down and then just a small weight to control the fly.  Works wonders with buggers.

ORIGINAL: tippecanoe

I borderline hate fishing nymphs, and that is basically what trib fishing is about.  I would definately rather be part of a nice sulfer hatch then a guessing game nymph-fest.  I know how much more productive they are supposed to  be then dries, and not just in Erie.  If I fish anywhere but Erie, I rarely use a real Strike indicator, instead going for a large high floating terrestial, or with nothing at all.  I think this is called high sticking, or dumb-luck fishing.  I have about a half hard time casting with a strike indicator.  I read somewhere to shorten the leader in the case of fishing under a strike indicator, is that a fact?

 
 i know what you mean
 
the other thing about steelhead fishing i have a hard time matching the hatch

ORIGINAL: indsguiz

Mack? Alas you have now ruined my entire fishing environment.

I don't think you will ever have trouble finding room to fish in faster water.  Nonetheless, I thought this might help to take some pressure off D-Nymph when he is camping out in the Manchester Hole.