News:March Newsletter
3/1/2010
It is time to grab your fishing equipment and head toward Lake Ontario for the spring run of Steelhead coming into each and every creek, stream or river entering the lake. Each year prior to the huge spring snow melt the steelhead arrive in quantity; they are fat, feisty and hungry. The fish will average 8lbs to 11lbs, with 15lb’ers common. And while fishing, you are keenly aware of the very real chance of taking a 20lb fish.
Taking the right equipment is essential for a successful trip. If you are a one handed fly fisherman your best bet is an 8wt or 9wt rod of 9 or 10 feet in length. It is not because of the large size of the fish, but rather the size of the flies and the necessity of using sinking tips. If you are a Speyer, I would recommend an 8, 9 or 10 wt rod of 13 to 15feet in length. In either case, you will want to bring a variety of sinking tips that sink from 1.5 ips to 7.0 ips and are 10ft to 15ft in length. When using sinking tips it is not necessary to use tapered leaders, just use tippet material of no more than 4 feet. Tippet size will vary, if dead drift-ing nymphs you might use 4lb to 8lb depending on height, clarity and temperature of the water. When swinging the fly you might use 8lb to 10lb tippet material. If others are catch-ing fish and you are not, either go down in tippet size or move to a different location.
The weather conditions will vary greatly around Lake Ontario, so you want to be prepared for rain or snow (or in combination and often horizontal). The winds will be gusty and temperatures may range from 30 to 65 degrees. Studs are a MUST!!!!!! Whether they are corkers or studded boots, this is essential equipment. If you have felt soles either rent cork-ers, buy the studs that screw in to the boot soles or stay home. As George O’Brien had oc-casion to remark years ago on the Salmon River, “The little guy who greases the rocks is still out there.”
The spring fishery traditionally starts off with the Steelies taking up feeding lies in pools. As the water temperature rises to approximately 37 degrees, the fish tend to leave the pools and take up spawning lies. The lies will be found in unbroken water or glides with a water depth of about 2 to 4 feet. Once you find the correct speed of water and the right gravel structure, for example the tail out of most pools, you will find spawning Steelhead. Once the water temperatures reach 40 degrees the more likely the fish are to chase the swinging fly. As the water temperature approaches a constant 44 degrees the spawning will be over for the most part and the fish will be headed back to the lake. During the drop back period, you will want to devote most of the fishing time at the very head of the pools. This is where the fish are inclined to rest.
I am very anxious to return to the Salmon River this spring. I will be guiding and teaching spey casting on the Salmon River from the 10th of April thru the 26th of April. The first spey class on April 17th is full and the class on April 18th has two openings, the cost is $125.00/ student. If we do not fish together be sure to give me a shout and a wave on the river. As always, contact Whitaker’s Sport Shop (315-298-6162) for water levels, fishing reports and lodging.