Early season steelhead tips

Hey guys the leaves are changing and next weeks forecast looks promising to help push fish in. I'm writing this to help those new to the steelhead addiction and more seasoned veterans are more than welcome to help me out. Guys this will be early season so most of your success will be focused at the mouth of your favorite trib and or the lake depending on wind. I would suggest tossing small spoons rebel crabs and any other lure you can swing, you cover the most water that way this time of year and the fish are as fresh as they will ever be and willing to hit. If you happen to get on a nice pod this time of year stay put fish single eggs minnows or strip buggers or very small nymphs. Defranks blue steel works well early season especially when it low and clear. But as the weather changes don't be afraid to check easy access areas way above where you anticipate fish. Ya it may only pay off 1 time out of ten but I've been there that 1 time is worth it. Also early Season expect to down size your line Tippett and hooks size 4 lb or even 2 when it's crystal clear also move hook size to 18 20 I'd sacrifice hook ups to to no hits at all any day. Ok also guys with fish mostly being congested don't show up at 8 am expecting a spot show some respect if you want that spot. E there before light like everyone else. Try not to get frustrated early season is tough but if you hit it right you can potentially put up big numbers. Good luck everyone and stay safe on the stream

Excellent tips. Don't forget bout bushy white streamers, especially those colored like emerald shiners. Like the Defranks emerald shiner, and Don Mathews crystal minnow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZVkvfBPou0). Dead drift them, or toss them into a pod, and let the action of the fly do the work for you. Can't help but watch a fish separate from the pack, check out your offering, and slurp it down, doing this. 

If nothin' else, see how far you can cast a streamer off the mouth, hooking a steelhead still in the lake and watching it run for Canada is a site to behold. 

^^^^^^ That.   Yep.

Remember when the thing was to fish the lake with a noodle rod and an ultralight reel with may 8 pound test? All along the beach you would hear a too light drag scream until the snap of the bitter end sounded like a .22 going off.
 

cbeagler
^^^^^^ That.   Yep.

Remember when the thing was to fish the lake with a noodle rod and an ultralight reel with may 8 pound test? All along the beach you would hear a too light drag scream until the snap of the bitter end sounded like a .22 going off. 

It is said "A picture is worth a thousand words".

There certainly is not near that many words in your comment and you just painted one he!! of a pretty picture.

johnthefisherman

Spinners
@john; Does that work? Never had a bite out towards the lake off the mouth of streams. Maybe I gotta try more often.

Yes, usually done this if the lake isn't too rough, and the streams aren't fishing well. Either wade out a good bit off the lake shore, see how far you can huck it, and just strip it back to you slowly. Or better yet, look for where the current from the stream will be going out into the lake, wade out there, and let the current carry your streamer as far as it can go, just wait for your line to straighten. You may not catch as many, but they sure do put up a fight. 

I completely dissagree, early mornings alot of the fish will be VERY shallow (1-3').  By wading, all you are doing is pushing them off shore.  Nothing worse than having a pile of fish in close, and some dingdong comes down and wades in up to his ****.  Overcast days, and wave action will keep them in close all day. 
 

Lol I done stand corrected. Jis add in there if the fish aren't in close, then wade out. If they are, don't wade out. 

Point is, if the streams hain't fishin well, then try streamer fishin in the lake. 

johnthefisherman
Lol I done stand corrected. Jis add in there if the fish aren't in close, then wade out. If they are, don't wade out. 

Point is, if the streams hain't fishin well, then try streamer fishin in the lake. 

 
I see your current name is "young"(not many post) yes this is the place to be corrected one word out of line and someone will be sure to point it out.
That said it can be a very entertaining place at times-enjoy!
Personally my many fly rods would be at home and I would be tossing Crocidile spoons WAY further than any streamer would be tossed and I would be shunned for using the most effective not the most rewarding method of hooking lake steel zombies-OH WELL...WCW
 

akitadog
single egg, size 18 hook and 3.7# seagar grand max leader.

Akita - I am big fan of Seaguar, especially the Invizx line. Have been using that in #4 or #6 lb test, but decided to get some Grand Max for this year. Have the 4.8 lb spool. I realize its thinner, but other than that do you think its worth it based on your experience?

hey swimfishie, i think its well worth it. i use 4#Pline as my main line. i tie a small blackbird swiver to my leader. the lenth of leader depends on the depth of the hole im fishing. when its a little murkey i just use my straight main line with usually white sacs. i was using the 4.8# and decided to try smaller when the water was clear. most of the time i have on the 3.7# but if i decide to go to the nut when it is really clear i will go to the 2.8# u will lose some fish but u will get twise as many bites as anybody else. when its that clear i will also use the smallest little white fish pimps for floats. when its that clear the fish can also see your float and with the white, it looks exactly like the little white bubbles on the water. i land most of the fish i hook on the 3.7# and a good percentage on the 2.8#. it does involve alot more retieing but i dont drive 3 yrs to not catch fish. id rather retie half the day and catch fish the other half rather than hardly catch any at all.

I'm coming up on sunday for my first try for the chrome bullets. Any advice Or reports are appreciated. I'm thinking lower stretches of the creeks light tippet or try fishing the lake. True question, are they up about route 5 yet? I love this time of year haha.

This may save you some money,use some of those address labels that we all get from charities & put them on your fly boxes & nets or even rods,then shellac them. In case that you lose these items you have a better chance of getting them back.   sam

Seriously, save your gas money. I was just at Walnut and the water is as low, clear, and warm as a parking lot puddle. There are some fish, you might try the lake. But the creeks are way way down.

The Legion Hole.....Elk Creek.....yesterday !  LOL !

 

Jborland25
Can anyone recomened some set up advice for me as this will be my second time steelhead fishing. I have a 9' 2 Pc rod line wt 2-8# lure weight 1/16 to 1/4 oz basically what line and tippet/ leader should I be using, any bait and lure recommendations would be appreciated, looking to fish walnut and elk in the next few weeks! Thank you

 
Sure you'll get a bunch of different answers, many of which will work till you find what you really prefer.
 
I prefer 6# McCoy Mean Green mono on my reel and normally a 6# fluoro leader, but will sometimes go to a 4# leader, either tied straight to the mono or using a very, very small barrel swivel.  I prefer about a 4' leader.  
 
This time of year, I'd go with shiners or single eggs for live bait if you can actually get a drift.  I like to use a size 16 scud hook for just about any bait I use.  If I was fishing anytime in the next week given the forecast and current conditions, I'd probably go to a size 18 or even 20 and stick with the 4# fluoro.  
 
Jigs - minifoos, other types of hair jigs, or soft plastics such as trout magnets or Gulp products on a jig head - are also great this time of year when conditions aren't so great for drifting.  Large pools on Walnut or Elk or along the beaches.  

Fish the lake, they're blastin em right now........................
 
BH