Sometime in early fall the rivers in the Great Lakes region are transformed from benign, tranquil waters to something that has been described as ‘combat fishing”. Pushing, shoving, and name calling aside, there are several things we all go through during this chrome chasing frenzy called steelhead fishing. Here are some of the things I notice about steelhead season. How about you?
1. Parking lots are full, and if they’re full, you can picture the river.
This photo was taken during the week. Imagine the weekend.
(Click on image for larger view.)
2. Ice on the guides. All the remedies found to keep the ice off only seem to work for so long.
3. Having to wear four layers of clothes, gloves, a hat, and a stocking cap.
4. Egg patterns are all the rage.
5. Catch a lot more leaves than fish. Then you notice the trees are bare, and have a distinctive brown/gray color. Bad time for picture taking.
A little fog makes the brown/gray color of the trees look better.
6. It’s 6:40AM and all the good spots on the river are taken.
7. Reports of fishermen catching steelhead fill Facebook, Twitter, and fishing websites.
8. The wife starts looking at you like your crazy because it is 28° and you’re loading the car with gear.
9. Being on the water fighting with ice on the guides wishing it was 75° and smallmouth time.
A smallie on a popper, in warm weather. Can't wait.
10. Seeing centerpinners get 50’-60’ drifts with their float rigs.
11. Can’t leave it out, pushing and name calling after fishing lines are crossed or worse yet, cut.
12. You ask someone who is leaving how’s the bite and they say “you should have been here yesterday”.
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