Winter steelies

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fisherofmen376
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2017/12/12 22:46:50 (permalink)

Winter steelies

Planned the trip weeks ago and despite bad reports of low, clear and frozen conditions we hit the tribs Monday. Had to bust ahht ice to fish elk. Fresh snow falling, only 1 other car. Nice deep hole covered by at least 40 foot long and 15 foot wide ice that was about 1-2 inches thick. I knew the fish were there if we could get to em. My buddies thought I was insane wading into freezing water above my...well you know. Never experienced that sensation before. After about 30 minutes, we started pushing the iceberg, and this chunk of ice started moving!!! It was pretty cool seeing a “glacier” start flowing dahhnstream. At first we saw no fish. Then one or two here and there. Then my buddy said “they are moving with the ice!” Finally once it started breaking apart and hittin the fast water we feasted our eyes on a fairly large pod of spooky fish. But at least we found em! Waited a few for them to calm down and starting working the jigs.
Had to go hard and my toes were numb by the end of the day but it was all worth it! Nothing like winter steel!

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
Matthew 4:19
#1

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    fisherofmen376
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/12 23:06:08 (permalink)
    Here’s a couple pics... I don’t feel the need to photo EVERY fish I caught or list numbers but we did well, especially considering conditions. Gonna be locked up for a week or so with these temps. Prolly my last trip of the year unless I can convince my wife to come with me to get frozen boogers and numb toes!
    post edited by fisherofmen376 - 2017/12/12 23:50:58

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    "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
    Matthew 4:19
    #2
    Erie_flyfishing
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/13 05:32:38 (permalink)
    fisherofmen376
    Here’s a couple pics... I don’t feel the need to photo EVERY fish I caught or list numbers but we did well, especially considering conditions. Gonna be locked up for a week or so with these temps. Prolly my last trip of the year unless I can convince my wife to come with me to get frozen boogers and numb toes!
    congrats man. You guys are truly dedicated
    #3
    Fisherlady2
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/13 07:31:58 (permalink)
    Well done! Glad you were rewarded for your efforts!
    #4
    Kokanee Killer
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/13 08:38:36 (permalink)
    great job i like the cold angling too
     
     

    I have become comfortably numb
    #5
    bingsbaits
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/13 09:54:28 (permalink)
    Busting ice sucks. Almost got bowled over once when some gents up stream were clearing out a hole. Some of the very large slabs of ice were coming down stream in the current and I didn't see them until the last minute. Was able to get out of the way. But it sure was sketchy for a minute...
     

    "There is a pleasure in Angling that no one knows but the Angler himself". WB
     
     


    #6
    pafisher
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/13 10:31:24 (permalink)
    That is true dedication to the Steely fishing,but it is not my idea of fun...no thanks!
    #7
    H3Fisher
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/13 10:58:33 (permalink)
    It's what true steelhead fishing is! Best time of year. Minimal people, and great scenery. I fished elk Monday as well, slow morning breaking away the ice, waiting for fish to calm down. But when they turned on, managed to get a several to the net.
     
    As for the ice... those large sheets don't move anyway but the way they're going. Almost got knocked over a few years back from a slab that was just below water that I didn't see. 
     
     
    #8
    fisherofmen376
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/13 11:07:28 (permalink)
    "No anglers were harmed during the aqua-environmental modifications of elk creek."  That I know of.
     
    I DO love the scenery, no crowds, and the payoff to catching fish in adverse conditions.  I DO NOT love the 'oh crap i am getting frostbite' feeling, the sometimes lethargic wet boot-style fighting fish.  Some had spunk though.  

    "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
    Matthew 4:19
    #9
    Kokanee Killer
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/13 11:20:01 (permalink)
    its winter and its still way better then not fishing at all   tight frozen lines to you all
     

    I have become comfortably numb
    #10
    CAPTAIN HOOK
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/13 14:24:26 (permalink)
    Really nice seeing those big wide sheets hit the riffles and bust up into a million pieces . Watched guys take some good thumps and falls busting up the thicker slabs in Winter. 
    #11
    Erie_flyfishing
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/14 08:16:51 (permalink)
    CAPTAIN HOOK
    Really nice seeing those big wide sheets hit the riffles and bust up into a million pieces . Watched guys take some good thumps and falls busting up the thicker slabs in Winter. 


    I remember last year when I was fishing during the winter, a guy at Rick road access was throwing rocks trying to break the ice. After about 50 rocks, many spooked steelies, and a very angry fishermen, he gave up and left. Loved watching this desperate attempt
    #12
    CAPTAIN HOOK
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/14 12:50:08 (permalink)
    Got to a nice hole on Elk near Folly's late winter. Five guys were busting up a nice big section for a long time. They were really struggling to get it cleared. Finally they cleared it and all started fishing not realizing sometimes you got to wait an hour or so. They were all so cold and wore out it didn't take for them to pack up and head to a warm bar......one of the better Steelhead days I had fishing that hole !
     
    Sometimes it pays to be late !...lol
    #13
    350Z&Steelheads
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/14 13:25:42 (permalink)
    I do enjoy a good ice breaking party and the lack of crowds this time of year.

    Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
     
     
    #14
    pheasant tail 2
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/14 21:12:04 (permalink)
    Surfed many glaciers over the years. I always enjoyed winter fishing on the tribs. Beautiful scenery.
     
    PT2
    #15
    Erie_flyfishing
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/14 21:41:30 (permalink)
    With this #netnutrality may never hear from yinz again.
    #16
    H3Fisher
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/16 13:39:31 (permalink)
    Anyone currently up north and know how much snow they got or are getting? Thinking of making a trip tomorrow and staying till monday.
    #17
    fisherofmen376
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/16 19:11:14 (permalink)
    Dude you know the creeks are locked up right? Temps haven’t been above freezing in 6 days. It will be very different from what I saw last Monday, and that was tough sledding. I believe they got almost a foot of snow too, but that’s not the biggest issue. It’s hard water.

    "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
    Matthew 4:19
    #18
    H3Fisher
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/16 20:36:46 (permalink)
    Yup, know about the ice. not a problem getting it to break up. I'm just more worried about the snow to get where I need to park lol.
     
    I'll venture up tomorrow in the late morning and go from there if worth staying till Monday. 
    #19
    BeenThereDoneThat.
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/16 20:39:55 (permalink)
    Don't nobody has a ice auger? Spudbar...... chainsaw???😜 ok, I'll go away.

    Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time. ~Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919)~
     
     
     
      Old fisherman never die; we just smell that way. 
     
    #20
    fisherofmen376
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    Re: Winter steelies 2017/12/16 21:17:40 (permalink)
    If you can wait it’s gonna warm up a little and rain next week. Then again it might blow ahht and not be fishabke till thurs.

    I hope you are taking a friend...safer with two than solo. Good luck and let us know how ya do.

    "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
    Matthew 4:19
    #21
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