stealhead fishing

[sutton]

I live in western PA and i heard that the steelheads were biting i was wandering if anyone could give me some advice on how to catch them or where to catch them Thanks
Sutton

[buckhunter14]

Steelheading is a wonderful thing. I live in Michigan and the Steelies run in from Lake Michigan into the tributaries and such.


They have Spring and Fall/Winter "runs" but truly when they run in the winter they stay in the river system until they spawn in the spring. The main way they are fished is with fly rods or spinning rods. The main bait is either spawn or flies. If there is a hatch that has just come, they are hitting on those most likely, but usually this time of year it is spawn. We have been doing fairly well on spawn. I will include a diagram that represents the presentation that we fish.



NOTE: We use around 10 foot rods to be able to fight these fish, they are powerful and the fight of a lifetime.

[MikeVT]

If you are going to fish spawn, bring a lot of hooks and sinkers, you will need them. Drift the spawn much like you would a nightcrawler, and if the bait stops, set the hook. A steelhead will drop the bait if he feels any weight on it. 9 out of 10 times there will be nothing, but when the end of the rod tip touches the water and your drag starts screaming, FISH ON!!!

[buckhunter14]

I hope that makes sense, good luck!

[Charlie P]

http://www.co.oswego.ny.us/tourism/fishing/fcond.html#PULASKI

Here's where you can check fishing conditions for Oswego and the Salmon river.

Don't know if it helps.