steel patterns

hey guys,

just wondering what fly patterns people prefer during the colder winter months for steel primarily in eastern/western lake ontario tribs?

also found this article that seems helpful: http://www.ontariooutofdoors.com/fishing/trout/?ID=35&a=read

thanks
mike

muskyman said:

hey guys,

just wondering what fly patterns people prefer during the colder winter months for steel primarily in eastern/western lake ontario tribs?

also found this article that seems helpful: http://www.ontariooutofdoors.com/fishing/trout/?ID=35&a=read

thanks
mike

Click to expand...

yarn flies
wooly buggers
stone flies and stone fly nymphs

CJR posted good ones. Bright attractor flys, pink or green should do the trick too. I can't really add any more to the list than that and what CJR posted.

Mike thanks for the article. Are you pinning or on the fly? I was out today and tossing some nymphs, no bites. But I'll try again tomorrow with more nymphs. I'm concentrating on getting the nymphs deep and fish really slow. I'll let you know how it goes.

always on the fly :grin: however, recently bought a float setup to give the pin a try. since water levels haven't helped the runs @ tribs i fish, i've just been stocking up on flies and just looking for suggestions. I haven't been having much luck with nymphs lately either tbh, thats why I'm here for some suggestions as to what's been working for other peeps on the fly :smile:

Bow on a fly is a challenge me and my buds are trying for before it gets too cold......lol. We (4 of us) hit a east trib but looks like no fish there yet from the recent rains.

Here what I found, the first paragrahs (intro) are poorly written but the rest may have some tips for us.

http://www.gameandfishmag.com/2010/09/24/fishing_trout-fishing_gf_aa036602a/

You hit east or west tribs?

Good luck, wish me luck too.....lol.

grubman said:

Bow on a fly is a challenge me and my buds are trying for before it gets too cold......lol. We (4 of us) hit a east trib but looks like no fish there yet from the recent rains.

Here what I found, the first paragrahs (intro) are poorly written but the rest may have some tips for us.

http://www.gameandfishmag.com/2010/09/24/fishing_trout-fishing_gf_aa036602a/

You hit east or west tribs?

Good luck, wish me luck too.....lol.

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both, and i've been doing alot of scouting lately for new spots. Been having minimal success in both directions :?
what about you?

big streamers egg sucking leech wooly buggers

I have yet to get one on the fly, same as my buds. We have a challenge of who gets the first steel on a fly before the winter gets too cold. Winner gets to be an obnoxious braggert, so it's all in fun. I think we may have to abandon Lake O tribs for GB. The Lake O tribs are nice and close but most times we just have a great time together and getting skunked.......lol.

A couple of other articles I found recommend the same techiques of sinking flies and fishing slowly. Mostly natural patterns. I'd head out tomorrow if not for the WN calling for freezing rain in the late morn-afternoon. Mid-week might be better as more rain is expected Monday, with Tues-Thurs being clear. I have not tried my weighted nymphs yet so hope they work.

We used egg-sucking leeches, shrimp, wooly buggers but nothing today. I had my spinning rod and was casting micro worms and maggots, still nothing.

Have to keep at it, find what they want, when they want it.

grubman said:

I think we may have to abandon Lake O tribs for GB. The Lake O tribs are nice and close but most times we just have a great time together and getting skunked.......lol.

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x2. I drove by coots paradise which is the bay at the end of hamilton harbour. THE MUD WAS SHOWING AND BARELY ANY WATER IN IT!!!! It was wild.

I sencing a fly meet on GB just like the geen trip.......lol.
Catfish you had any luck on the fly?

grubman said:

I have yet to get one on the fly, same as my buds. We have a challenge of who gets the first steel on a fly before the winter gets too cold. Winner gets to be an obnoxious braggert, so it's all in fun. I think we may have to abandon Lake O tribs for GB. The Lake O tribs are nice and close but most times we just have a great time together and getting skunked.......lol.

A couple of other articles I found recommend the same techiques of sinking flies and fishing slowly. Mostly natural patterns. I'd head out tomorrow if not for the WN calling for freezing rain in the late morn-afternoon. Mid-week might be better as more rain is expected Monday, with Tues-Thurs being clear. I have not tried my weighted nymphs yet so hope they work.

We used egg-sucking leeches, shrimp, wooly buggers but nothing today. I had my spinning rod and was casting micro worms and maggots, still nothing.

Have to keep at it, find what they want, when they want it.

Click to expand...

what about the shiners??lol i have a video of mine in HD lol

Were they included in the challenge?........lol. You gonna post that vid?........lol.

grubman said:

I sencing a fly meet on GB just like the geen trip.......lol.
Catfish you had any luck on the fly?

Click to expand...

Nope not a sniff. I haven't gotten out on any steel tribs in the last 2 weeks though. It seems like in the hamilton area theres barely any steelhead rivers.

It's not always about the right fly..you should see some of the flies i catch fish on.... Presentation, presentation, presentation.... Honestly I guide a lot of guys and presentation is the reason for a no fish day about 70% of the time. The other 20% is the set up. 10% is other reasons like pressure, no fish in or poor conditions. Even the wrong fly can catch fish if you present it right on the right set-up. Match your set up and your tippet size to the conditions you're faced with... make sure it's the right set up for the conditions with a decent fly and you'll incressed your odds.

If you still think it's a fly issue try a pink or brown San Juan worm... Also depending on conditions, for low and clear go small and natural. For dirtier water go bigger and brighter...

Wednesday I guided a guy who's been trying to catch a steelhead all fall on a fly rod with no success.. I changed his set-up, taught him how to properly present the fly and in 4 hours we hooked 5 nice steelhead... and all in spots he'd already been fishing all fall. I think he'll do well on his own from now on.. ..

3 flies I wouldnt leave home with-out for winter steelhead
1. Pink worm
2. Blood dot or similar egg pattern.. small medium and large in a few good colors
3. Brown or black pheasant tail nymph size 10 to 16

What more do you need?...unless you're spey fishing... but that's a whole other ball game...