Great Lakes Steelhead- jonesing for them!

[Nymphmeister]

Even though it's not really quite time for it yet, I find myself getting fired up to go fish for them. I don't hit the Great Lakes tribs very often in recent years, maybe 1-2X in a season, but I really love fishing them. Been targetting the big browns the last 2 Falls, but it's back to Steelhead this year. I love the way they go nuts when you hook them, like they are scared shitless. So fast, and so beautiful, with amazing jumps. And it's extra fun because the tackle is usually light considering the size and power of the quarry. It's cool targetting them in fast water in the Fall when they are migrating upstream. I think they are my favorite fish to catch. Any other Steelhead fanatics out there?

[Dave]

Nymphmeister, I'm on my way to becoming a fanatic. . .I've just gotta catch one now to be hooked! This year will be my first time up, and I can't wait. I'm been in preparation by tying egg patterns, Suckerspawn and some other staple steelhead flies.

Thanks for the help today, can't wait to try the new rod!

[Nymphmeister]

Your first one will probably hook you for life, they are addictive so watch out.

[Brookie]

I've been fired up now since about July 1. Steel is the absolute best.

Let's get a trip going.... DavetheRave, Nympho, Aaron, others...

Any takers?

I can see a trip to Pulaski/TPO crew conclave unfolding... after the mud shark season is out.

Going to Erie tribs Oct. 20-27th so that is out for me, but the rest of the time, I'm game.

Here's a link to get you fired up: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fN7tIdJURy4

[Dave]

I'm fired up, and I'm in!
In fact, I'll bring an extra set of waders. . .I get excited easily. ;D

Temps are getting low fast with all this cool evening weather, so I imagine that's as great for the steel and salmon as for the trout. I believe the temps up north have only breached the 60's over the past week. I'm anxious to try the McFly foam for tying.

[Joe-G]

Problem up in the lakes at least in NYS, is the same in CT, low water drought conditions. I have read reports of the salmon entering the salmon river at the beinning of the month and actually dying from suffocation. The company that owns the dam on the salmon river was supposed to do a white water flush on labor day weekend, which would have raised flows to 1000 cfs for 2 days and caused a MAJOR salmon and trout influx, but,. due to low water level in the res., they cancelled it.
I might go up in late October, early November, but in warmer low water years, the salmon run can still be going on then - like last year - same thing happened. Delayed salmon spawn will mean the big browns stay in the lake/estuary as well. We need lots of rain, these bright sunny cloudless days are not helping the fishing, just pushing the game to time of sunrise and sunset, since salmonids are light averse creatures.

[FLYDAD]

I usualy go up for steelhead on thanksgiving day and stay for the weekend (not much on thoes family dinners) If any one is interested in going let me know. I stay at Malindas in altmar see is very resonable but she wont let you stay unless you promice to catch & release.no prolblem for me I hate fish but I sure do like to catch them.

[Joe-G]

more bad news from upstate NY lakes region, they have closed off the lower fly zone in Altmar due to low and high water temps, and most likely a lot of "slap fishing" going on
for this reason, we will be bypassing the Ontario tribs this fall in favor of the Erie tribs where great runs of steelhead have already started and it will only get better going into mid to late October - especially on the Seneca nation areas !!

[alanb_ct]

It's a small (tiny) fish, but it's my first steelhead. Even at this size, I can see what the fuss is about! What a great fish! Sorry the picture is blurry, it was raining. The fish was mirror chrome bright. I caught it Friday on a Prince nymph in the Salmon River. Please see my complete post in a separate topic. There were already good numbers of steelhead in the river, I sighted lots of them, but could not entice them to strike. They were mostly hanging below the big pods of river kings. The rake and snag guys had some nice steelies on the stringers.

[AaronJasper]

Now you have to get a bigger one ;D