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Ontario Fishing Network
Newsletter
www.ontariofishing.net
Volume 1, Issue 3 - April. 2001 - Page 2 |
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Steel head, cont...
Pools
 Pools, or
holes, as they are sometimes called, are areas of deep, slack water, which often hold a
lot of fish. Some pools may range in depth from two to 10 feet, and are usually above, or
below, rapids, or stretches of shallow water. Pools have a number of different uses, but
the primary one is as a resting area. A further reason trout hold in these areas is in
anticipation of heavy rains, which makes the river swell with dirtier water, which, in
turn, creates a more safe and comfortable trip for the steelhead.
Wood and Undercut Banks
No matter what river or stream you fish, you're bound to find a good assortment of fallen
trees and undercut banks. These two objects provide safety, comfort, and shelter for many
of these fish. Look for fish to lay hidden under these spots during bright sunny days, or
low water conditions.
Tackle Talk
There are two basic conditions that you will encounter when targeting spring steelhead,
and those are, clear water, and dirty, "chocolate milk" water.
Clear Water
For clear water, I prefer to use a 9-and-a-half foot long noodle rod. They can reach
lengths of up to fourteen feet, and are all thin and whippy, with some backbone in the
lower third of the rod. I match my rod up with an ultra light reel, loaded with line in
the 4 or 6-pound-test range, in clear monofiliment.
There are a variety of different baits and lures for clear water trout, but live or
prepared bait seems to be the best starting point. Salmon eggs, and worms are the two top
choices for stream anglers. These can either be suspended under a slender float, or slowly
drifted down using a few small split shot to keep the bait bouncing along bottom. Spawn
sacks come in a multitude of colours, from hot pink, orange, and chartreuse to more
subdued whites, and dull yellows. For clear water always stick with the most natural
colour you can find, as well as the smallest spawn sack you can get away with. Hooks in
the size range of fourteen and sixteen are your best bet.
Other good bets for clear water steelhead are tiny spinners in the zero or 1 size,
with silver and black getting the definite nod for colour. Small tube jigs, such as the
ones you might use for perch or crappie, can be dynamite out on the stream. Small Flatfish
or "mini" baits are also perfect for holding in the current, or letting slip
into cover, or along side undercover banks.
Dirty Water
During the springtime, rain is a common fact of life. During these heavier rain periods,
the streams will undergo a tremendous change, namely flooding and water clarity.
I use the same rod for dirty water fishing as I do for clear water, however, it is now
possible to make adjustments to your line configurations. Since visibility in the water
may be next to nothing, heavier line will be the norm. Anything in the 8 to
twelve-pound-test seems to work well. Cont on Page
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