265 replies to this topic

[Beman9010]

Yea it's on now just gotta do the leg work and see for your self

[fishfearme]

Spring fed rivers with natural reproduction tend to get earlier runs. It's not uncommon to see fish beginning Mid-July in these rivers. As said before day length windows are a major factor in both salmon and steelhead runs (steelhead more so in the spring than fall) that most don't take into consideration. It seems like every year we debate whether there are early runs happening, when in reality runs are very consistent from year to year. Those who study run timings closely know when they should be on the water.

[fishing89]

man...went out to check my east trib...WOW were there mosquitoes. I couldnt even stand near the river for longer than 30 seconds. I ran out, and as I was running out two cars pulled up, with fishing equipment, went inside the forest and also ran out lmao! I have never seen so many mosquitoes....ruined everything as the water looked nice and dirty and high

[steelhead101]

Spring fed rivers with natural reproduction tend to get earlier runs. It's not uncommon to see fish beginning Mid-July in these rivers. As said before day length windows are a major factor in both salmon and steelhead runs (steelhead more so in the spring than fall) that most don't take into consideration. It seems like every year we debate whether there are early runs happening, when in reality runs are very consistent from year to year. Those who study run timings closely know when they should be on the water.

 what about the niagara and the notty? big rivers always get runs first (or at least fish nosing up). runs are not consistent with the year before what so ever, late spring late run, early spring early run typically. but with a summer like this who knows, some people are already getting them from shore though and this was the latest spring on record.

[Beman9010]

Yea been very bad for bugs this year. But their are fish in some tribs just gotta find which ones

[James5354]

Iv seen big runs in august in the past before, so its possible just do your leg work and constantly check for weather reports.

[Beman9010]

Yep your right

[DILLIGAF?!]

Not mosquitos but where I usually go for my Salmon fix....it's quite a hike and there's about a quarter KM of bushwhacking but howling coyotes tend to deter most people...including me. That happened yesterday. I will probably check the "bricks" to confirm if there is indeed a run.

[fishfearme]

Steelhead101- By consistent, I'm talking within a couple of weeks. Certain things will trigger a few early fish to start trickling in for sure, but major runs are very consistent, and by paying close attention can be easily timed. Like I said, in the case of salmon, spring fed rivers with natural reproduction generally see an earlier push of fish. Many assume that when they see fish in August they are early, when in fact these rivers see those runs year after year.

 

When I first started steelheading I used to go by that same adage that early spring means early run and vise versa. I used to base my timing on water temps and flow, then I started paying closer attention to day length windows and once I realized how important of a factor this was in run timing my catch rate increased dramatically. Whether it's fall salmon, or spring steelhead, when I look back at my notes, my fishing success comes around the same time every year, no matter what the weather conditions. Flow and temps are obviously still factors but day length windows are the same every year, and generally so is the fishing (give or take a week or two).

 

Fall steelhead are a little different. They are months away from spawning, and water temps and flows play a much bigger role in run timing. Fall steelhead runs are less urgent and they can wait for the perfect conditions, or not run at all (I've seen it happen in years with very low water). I've seen fall runs begin as early as August, and as late as late December. For fall steelhead I tend to base my run timing on water conditions as opposed to day length windows, which can make it a lot less consistent than spring run steelhead.

[Knuguy]

Sounds like a reasonable theory but it's the first time I've heard about that. Have others written about this as well? I guess it might work if you are comparing the same river year over year, but there seems to be quite a variation between different rivers. That seems to apply even in the same area. eg. I think the Notty is earlier than other nearby rivers.

[fishfearme]

It defiantly will vary from river to river. Day length window is used together with flow and temp. Flow and temp changes from river to river. There are close to a dozen Ontario rivers that I fish on a regular basis, and paying close attention to day length window has increased my catch rate on every one of them, but all have different peak times. I keep very meticulous notes for every day spend on the water and because of it I can key in on ideal times to fish certain tribs.

 

The day length theory isn't new, but on the grand scale of things hasn't been practiced a lot as far as I can tell. I know Matt Straw has done articles in STS and In-Fisherman magazines pertaining to this theory.

 

It's like a fish's way of telling time. For salmon, as the days grow shorter in the fall, the urgency to spawn increases. For steelhead it's the opposite, the urgency increases as the days grow longer in the spring. They've got a short window in which to get their business done and day length helps them determine when that window is closing.

[GoodenTight]

I had the day off yesterday. I tied flies in the afternoon and went "exploring" east. They didn't get the water we got here. Nothing was happening at the dam and I walked the downtown stretch and didn't see a thing.

 

So I went home, rigged up the pier cannon and we fired bombs out there last night. No action, but we did see a bunch jumping.

[PUMP KNOWS]

I had the day off yesterday. I tied flies in the afternoon and went "exploring" east. They didn't get the water we got here. Nothing was happening at the dam and I walked the downtown stretch and didn't see a thing.

 

So I went home, rigged up the pier cannon and we fired bombs out there last night. No action, but we did see a bunch jumping.

 

 

[FrequentFlyer]

thought i was going to have to jump in and pull him out at one point, one jumped 2ft from the pier and scared him pretty good lol

[GoodenTight]

I knew you changed your name ^.

 

Also, got the glow spoons all rigged up for tonight. Might do tomorrow morning too. Pump holler if you want in. Rusty is coming out too, I think.

[PUMP KNOWS]

^^^

Question... I bought some glow paint.  Do I just apply it on one side or both sides of the spoon?

And do I need to scratch the surface of the spoon to make it stick better?

 

I'll let you know when my buddy and I will be heading out east to chuck spoons. 

 

Hopefully it's soon

[DILLIGAF?!]

pump if you can give it a light sanding, it will stick better. but you can just apply it as well. eventually it will come off anyways. I used to paint my j13's with glow paint. it sticks better on wood. one side would be better. I will be chucking spoons thursday friday east end.. back to bass on saturday.

[PUMP KNOWS]

Thanks Dilli

 

Did you paint the whole j13?

[GoodenTight]

dont paint the whole thing either the spoon or the raps. It will look like the nuclear glow stick that is the intro to the simpsons haha.

 

Just do the top of the rapala and the convex side of the spoons.

[DILLIGAF?!]

Thanks Dilli

 

Did you paint the whole j13?

no, i usually just paint the bottom part. i tend to cast spoons when almost sun up. or sunset. I prefer it because I usually fish alone. I've been watching the cliff here at the east end and you can see some fish in casting distance around 730 to 8pm. can't tell if these are browns or salmon though.