Steelhead and Gravel

After seeing a post in a fishing forum, I was inspired to write this post simply to educate some on spawning. The young man did not even understand what the fish were doing or what the term drop back fish meant?

Its that time of year when Spring consistently has rising tributary temperatures (into the 40-58 degree F range) and the longer photo-periods in late winter and early spring (March-May) activate the steelhead (many of which have been here all winter) to move onto the spawning gravel. 

Also with these higher temps it starts sending signals to new fish to move up the river and spawn on the gravel. This is the time we should leave those fish alone and let mother nature take its course. You should concentrate on the voracious eating “drop-back” steelhead. This is one of my most favorite times of the year. The fish are very hungry and will hit anything. 

Until the water temps get too warm (May-June/high 60’s and above) at which point steelhead head back to the Big Lake's to return again to the river someday. After the past 2 winters here in the Great Lakes I have no doubt spawning will be taking place into the month of May/June on certain rivers and parts of the region.

I have so much respect and love for the worlds greatest game fish, the steelhead. Even the hatchery fish, please let them spawn and leave them be. In Michigan natural reproduction is low in many of our rivers but it does occur and we need those wild fish. Every fishery does.

We caught 2 fish last week with flies and hooks impaled in them. This makes me sick and I see it every year actually. So leave gravel alone this time of year and fish the holes behind the gravel and you will be rewarded with a legitimate bite and fish. 

Be good to the fishery and it will be good to you.

May your landing nets always be heavy my friends.

Fish On!

Awesome footage

Memes

Don't forget to support our sponsors and subscribe to this BLOG at the top of this page! Your comments are always welcome and join us on Facebook and Twitter or give our page a share with someone.

Rollercoaster Steelhead

This weekend was a prime example on how weather can affect fishing. The photo below shows how fronts can affect the bite sometimes good and sometimes bad. Below is a chart of the barometric pressure from this weekend taken on my iPhone.

I try to avoid fishing in extremely low pressure (anything under 29.50) or High pressure situations (over 30.10). Low or High pressure or up and down swings can put the bite off for extended periods of time. Especially during the winter time when fishing for Steelhead. If you ever get calm stable weather these periods are the best. No matter what you fish for?

The fish will be in a co-operative mood with stable barometric pressure my favorite is 29.90 to 30.05. This means FISH ON! Hence why the plug fishing bite is a go too pattern for me during unstable pressure periods. I actually force them to bite on those days by invading their space in the run. Are you picking up on this nugget of info I'm laying down here?

Steelhead can be finicky but catch able even in bad weather. 
I still managed to put in a few Steelhead in the net this weekend. Why because the water temps are finally trending upwards here in the Great Lakes and we are FINALLY getting FRESH FISH to show up! 

If this weekend would have happened during the winter and the water temp was in the lower end of 32 degrees it would have been really tough to get bit.

The moral of the story pay attention to the barometric pressures and get the app for your phone. So many out there too choose from for the Droid and iPhone users.

Hang tough and put your time in, sometimes you can always find a few players willing to play the game.

Thanks so much for your continued support. 

May your landing nets always be heavy my Steelhead Friends!

DIME BRIGHT ON PINK CHOKER BAGS.

I PREFER THE PLUG LIFE!

Memes and Fish'Isms

Danny from OP with another GIANT!

LEARN THIS KNOT FOR JOINING ANY 2 LINES

Don't forget to support our sponsors and subscribe to this BLOG at the top of this page! Your comments are always welcome and join us on Facebook and Twitter or give our page a share with someone.

HAPPY

The Steelhead are finally starting to show up in the Rivers here in the Great Lakes Region! This video reminds me that Steelhead Fishing may cause sudden outbursts of Joy, Happiness, Euphoria, Awareness and Spontaneous Healing of the SOUL! This Winter SUCKED! Get on the River and get some!

This weekends FUN

MEMES

The New Mag Lips 3.0!

MAXI JIGS DIRTY GOOD!

RIP DICK SWAN

Check the latest issue for my article called Bobber Down!

Got knife SKILLZ?

 

You read the article below and be the judge?

 CONSPIRACY what say you?

Follow the link.

The lake trout conspiracy of Lake Michigan - Outdoor News - February 2015

Don't forget to support our sponsors and subscribe to this BLOG at the top of this page! Your comments are always welcome and join us on Facebook and Twitter or give our page a share with someone.