Jason’s Steelhead VideoHi Speed Only
Timing is everything when it comes to Steelhead fishing. I constantly hear people ask “when is the best time to go” and “where should I go”? The best answer I can give is “go often and hit all the tributary streams you can”. Obviously you will not catch steelhead in western New York in the middle of summer. But the inconsistent nature of these fish was never clearer to me than it was this week. I spent the last several days fishing up and down the shores of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. I covered hundreds of miles and fished many tributaries. Some were filled with fish my last trip in September but had none this trip. Some were unfishable on this trip because of rain or discharge from power plants and some were so packed with people it was not even worth trying. I did manage to have a few days where I hooked 50+ fish and a couple days that I only hooked a few. Small comets and egg patterns were the most consistent.This year more than ever it was the number of fisherman that amazed me. There were more people fishing than I have ever seen before. After a decade of fishing these rivers this year I saw 10 times the number of anglers. In the last two years many publications, web sites and fly shops have boasted about the numbers of fish in these rivers. I can tell you it is all true. However, many of the formerly anonymous rivers have been called out in recent years and the part these reports leave out is that many of them are very small with limited holding water and limited access. Many only fish well for a few days at a time when the flows are just right. A small amount of rain or snow can render these streams unfishable for days or even weeks. Most are shale bottomed flowing through relatively urban area and are highly susceptible runoff. This concentrates the fishing pressure on a few select sections of river during small intervals of time. I fear that these conditions and all this publicity that there will be no escaping from Salmon River style crowds. I have also noticed the attitudes change on these rivers. Anglers who have traveled long distances feel they have earned the right to catch fish where they want and if they see someone catching fish they move right in. Anglers who have fished these waters for years feel it is their right to fish where ever they want. Please do not misunderstand me many anglers were very polite and I had no problem sharing my fishing spot or even my flies with them. For me a little company makes a trip more enjoyable and I have met some great people on these rivers. However with all this pressure eventually the trash, the parking, the limited access and the arguments will lead to changes in regulations and posted property. It has already started on rivers like Oak Orchard and the Salmon. I enjoy sharing my fishing experience with others and I too am guilty of naming rivers on occasion. Steelhead fever is a sickness we can all identify with. It is not like any other trout fishing and should be treated as such. When it comes to Steelies please show us the pictures, show us the techniques and tell us the stories but don’t name the rivers. It is the responsibility of every angler to preserve the secrets that make their secrets spots special.
Jason – Once again you work your Steelhead magic – wether your on the west coast or the east you cease to amaze me with you steelhead antics. any steelheader knows how frustrating and tricky the steelhead game can be – you certainly have a nack for finding and tricking the fish. your video is sweet – especially capturing your buddy actually drifting and hooking the steelhead – it made me feel like i was actually holding the fly rod.
oh yeah – one more thing – i totally agree with your article and the fact that fishing locations do not need to be named. the internet is a blessing and curse. it is fun and a great way to share our fly fishing experiences but the internet can also devistate a “secret spot” – that is why we never mention fishing locations, unless totally obvious or when doing so is inconsequential. it is really the stories, the tactics and photos that are fun to see and share – leaving out the exact locations adds mystery and respects an esoteric element of fly fishing that should never be interupted. – great article jason.
Nice work with those fish and that camera. Your observations on the fishing pressure were my thoughts exactly when Jeremy and I left Pulaski last week. How about those stringers of fish that some people leave the river with every day. My understanding is that these fish move these rivers to eat and spawn. Although most of the water cannot actually support the developing offspring, I believe that these fish need to be returned, or this fishery will suffer even more.
That is true. But this year a talked to a kid who fished one of these small tributaries all summer. He said he was catching small rainbows all summer long. They could only have been steelhead. It was very cold and wet all year this year. Plus the spawners will spend the whole winter in the river. If everyone takes them there are a lot less to catch. I heard several comments at Oak Orchard related to that fact. I am glad you enjoyed the post.
Hi Jason! Great video! I agree with Jeremy, when watching your buddy or whoever that was? following his drift and then, WHAM!!!! That was really cool! LIVE ACTION….that’s what makes a great video. I was looking for Uncle Dan…was he with you? Good idea on keeping the names of areas a secret….too much information can be abused. There are some anglers out there that are “Take whatever we can get” anglers. I keep my posts vauge. Okay, keepn’ it short…thanks for the video.
Jason, there’s so many people (and guides) from Pulaski that go to the Oak Orchard and litteraly rape the creeks……I always hear how they take only the eggs from the females. They have NO interest in the males. They’re not true anglers. It really is a shame!
Jeremy, you speak so well….couldn’t have said it better. Can you put his video on my site? Say, “feature video”??? I thought it was great! Some of those hens were dime bright! Beautiful fish!
Great stuff.. you have given joey the steelhead bug.. thanks that makes christmas shopping full of options