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Lake Erie Charter Captain Dave Adams of D & D Charters answers questions and provides tips and insights into fishing the region.
If you would like to Ask the Captain a question, please click HERE.
August 28, 2003
It's steelhead time! Karl Weixlmann talks about where to find them this winter.
Capt. Dave,
What is the best month of the winter to fish for steelhead in the Lake Erie area? And what are the best streams to steelhead fish at that time of the year in the Lake Erie area?
HNTR1274
I have fished for winter steelhead, but I am only a novice. Probably because Twenty Mile Creek is not deep enough for my boat and downriggers. So, it's best that I turn this question over to an expert, Karl Weixlmann.
Karl's answer:
While I'm a firm believer that none of us know more than all of us (thanks Dave Vedder of STS), I hope that my years of local experience as a fly angler and guide can help readers better understand our steelhead fishery.
The stark solitude of winter is my favorite time to be on local steelhead streams. With nasty weather seemingly always on the horizon, you can often find yourself alone on one of our heralded watersheds as the sole occupier of a pool full of fresh run steelhead.
Photo courtesy of Capt. Mike Hinkel
Each winter season is different. Some years we have open water throughout January and February, others though, leave us locked-up with ice as early as December.
But if I had to pick one month as my favorite for winter steelheading, it would have
to be December. The window of opportunity to get out for a fishing excursion is usually larger. Because hunting season has thinned the crowds; steelhead have spread throughout the entire length of tributary systems; and anglers do not always have to focus their attention on the lower reaches of the more famous watersheds.
The popular lower sections, however, should not be overlooked. For example, after an extended cold spell locked up the Erie tributaries with slush and ice just after the opening
of buck season, it looked like we were done fishing for the year.
But a thaw occurred Christmas week, and a new run of steelhead poured in. While everyone else was out singing Jingle Bells on December 23, we were fishing just north of Route 5 on Elk Creek, getting our own bells' rung by hard charging, fresh run fish. Meanwhile, we saw only one other angler.
Photo courtesy of Capt. Mike Hinkel
(Anyone recognize that sweatshirt?)
These windows of opportunity are the key to steelheading success in winter. January and February also can offer outstanding fishing. But that window opening is small and needs to be taken advantage of quickly before closing.
Look for warming trends with the air temperature above 32 degrees for several days and bright afternoon suns to get the ice and slush burned off the streams and the fish invigorated. A quick call to area tackle shops or a check of the FishErie.com fishing reports can reveal if there is any open, fishable water.
Sometimes open water is all you need to find in winter to be successful. We've caught steelhead with an air temperature of 18 degrees and stream temperature of 33 degrees. I don't want you to think these are pleasant conditions to fish in, but steelhead are caught within these extremes.
Look for steeper gradient streams like Twelve Mile and Sixteen Mile Creeks on the east side of town to stay open longer than the larger, slower moving tributaries. Or look for those same steeper gradients within the larger ones themselves for open, fishable water such as Elk Creek between Route 20 and Route 5. We've also found the lower end of Walnut Creek open and fishable when all other west side tributaries were locked up in winter ice.
Also, the water treatment plants on Sixteen Mile Creek and the new one on upper Elk Creek might not be pleasing to the angler, but they will keep the water open in the most brutal Erie winter through warm water releases. The new treatment plant on Elk Creek could yet prove to be a boom for winter steelheaders visiting Erie.
Photo courtesy of Capt. Mike Hinkel
Here are a few tips that will help put more winter steelhead on your line:
Don't step on the ice for safety reasons and be sure to fish along ice edges, even in what you would consider to be shallow water. Steelhead use ice during winter as structure and overhead cover.
No need to draw first blood in the morning anymore. The fishing is better in the afternoon.
Small and slow is usually the way to go. Nymphing is the hot fly fishing technique. I like to stagger microshot beneath the indicator to the fly much like a Canadian float fisherman. This reduces the belly or curve of the leader underneath the indicator, resulting in a drag free and slower drift.
Live emerald shiners can be even hotter!
Small, dark jigs tipped with maggots or mealworms work well too.
Think Safety and stay warm by buying a pair of boot foot 5mm. neoprene waders.
Keep 'em bent,
Karl
Photo of Karl courtesy of Jack Hanrahan
As an outdoor writer, public speaker, and local full time steelhead guide, Karl is well respected for his knowledge of steelhead fishing in the tributaries of Lake Erie. I would like to thank him for taking the time to share his insight to winter steelhead. Karl, also, has agreed to help me in the future with any additional questions on steelhead fishing the tributaries.
And I wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor. Karl is now a contributing outdoor writer for the Erie Times.
Good Fishing,
Capt. Dave Adams
Dave Adams is an author and professional charter captain who operates D & D Charters on the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie.
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