Drop-back Steelhead

[BERRRG]

Hey guys,

Haven't been able to find any good info online about drop-back steelhead and what they are? I'm assuming they are steelhead/rainbows that have run up-river to spawn and are now on their way back down to the lake again? People were talking about them on this particular river I've been fishing this week. Can anyone point me in the right direction for some info/reading on them?

Being that the trout opener is supposedly timed for the end of the spawning period, wouldn't we be mainly catching drop-backs only? On this particular river, everyone's been catching bright silver hens full of eggs... Guess these are late-runners or summer-run or something.

 

[fishing89]

Drop backs are exactly what you said, fish that have gone up river to spawn, finished and are on the way back to the lake.

While there are general timelines for spawning, and yes opener is at the end of the spawning period, not all fish spawn at the exact same time. Just like you witnessed first hand, some fish are fresh chrome and are new fish that have not spawned yet. Having said that, since not all fish spawn at once, they will not all drop back at once. This explains the lack of information about drop backs, because each fish goes back on it's own schedule.

If you are looking to target drop backs, they will be gathering energy for the journey back in deep, dark and cold pools. They are also looking to eat more hearty food, so that they can have more energy for the ride home. Remember, drop backs are not looking to spawn anymore, so they are less likely to stick together in schools like the spawning fish, as such, they are more likely to be spread out...making them more difficult to target.

Generally, stick to the deeper, medium/fast flowing pools that are preferably in the shade. Slow moving pools will hold fish too, but you will need a different approach/presentation to combat increased visibility in slower water.

If you want to avoid the crowds, go fish for drop backs just above the "open all year" sections.

Good luck

 

[AaronKrick]

Fishing89 pretty much has it covered. The only thing I would add is after a few meals and since the water is warming up, these fish are HOT! Like a steel in october. Also, at least in the river I fish when it's not the niagara - they do hold in pools but the few I've had on the past two springs have been in fast water. And lastly, in the pools, they are more likely to be in the tail of it, since they are dropping back.

 

[BERRRG]

Thanks for the info guys.