Nice Brown Trout from the Salmon River in Pulaski NY.

Mail Bag:

Hey Randy, what's your favorite month or time of year for Steelhead? Ben

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Hi Ben. most anglers like Nov. the most for steelhead. Thats when they are the most visually stimulating, etc.... But its also when the river is the most crowded w/anglers, which offers you less fishing opportunity. I like Dec., Jan., Feb and March for your greatest steelhead fishing opportunities.

WHY?

We lose some of the fishing pressure with some anglers that are hunting, fair weather anglers are wearing their skirts-yukyuk, December holiday family obligations, Dec. business holiday obligations and only a few of us "Full - Time" guides will be working.

All of above affords you greater opportunity as a steelhead angler. And thats why I like the middle of the Winter the most for steelhead. The next period I like is April. Lil warmer and sight fishing is an optional treat.

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Just want to say Randy, I like your posts. They do become very helpful. Keep them coming. I live in NJ and come up one time a yr. I like Nov best. But I do have trouble catching fish when the water goes up. I guess like you said. TOW. LOL!!! But its kind of hard when you live 5 hrs away. When the water goes up can you give me an Idea where these fish will set up on the holes. Like Nov and Dec time. Cause I noticed I have been up there when the river is at 335 and did ok fishing holes. But also went up when the river was 750. And did not catch any steel at all with 750. But I was fishing the holes like I did when it was 335. I know the fish are there but just don't know how they stage when the water goes up. Can you give me some points on how to adapt when this happens. Thanks. Rich W

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HI Rich, I'm happy you enjoy the reports! Great Q!!

Steelhead in Nov.

2-6 feet of rippled water or the heat (rapids) combined w/ a current break.

Steelhead in Dec., Jan. and Feb.

Sloooow deep stuff, holes or pools. Prime non-transitional holding

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Since your Q was on holes when the water goes up. Everything is current break related.

Prime non-transitional holding - Where they will sit for an extended period of time (days and sometimes an entire month or Winter for Steelhead) before there biological clock tells them to find a mate and special rock.

One of the main things I see when the steelhead are holding in the faster water, like now. Anglers do poorly fishing in the deep slow water pools. (Winter lyes) They don't move into that water until the water gets colder. They do this to conserve energy.

If its the Winter time and they are in the deep sloooow water, then anytime their is a higher flow of water they normally will move deeper into the hole. This could be the tail of the hole, the hole within the hole or just far enouph back to where they feel comfortable without having to exert to much energy.

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An example of this would be a big hole that in 335 cfs, they sit more from the middle to the head. In 750 cfs, they sit more in the middle, the deepest part of the tail or the hole within the hole. In a much higher flow, they will sit in the tail, seams, hole within the hole and sometimes along the bank where there is lil to no current. Sooooo, depending on the water flow (cfs) during the Winter time determines where most of them will be and where I will target. Much of this comes with studying the fish and T.O.W. As we all know, there is a lot of empty water out there.

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A hole is comprised of numerous current breaks:

1. The head of the hole at the drop.

2. The hole within the hole (this is like a magnet and also where many fish will hold thru out the Winter, hint-hint)

3. The tail of the hole where the water moves slower.

4. Any boulder's in the hole that break the current flow.

5. The seam's of the hole. (Where the fast water meets the slow water)

6. Sometimes a current break is in the flow - speed of the water. From fast to slow.

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Sooooo, in closing Rich. Everything is current break related. Depending on the water levels determines how each individual current break will effect where the fish will hold. By this determination tells me where I will have the best chance for my clients to get into the most steelhead. I hope this helps in your steelhead quest's! Best Fish's, Randy

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Thanks Randy, I am going up the 1st week in Dec this year. My 1st for Dec. I will do my best on what you said. You could not have explained yourself any better. I really do understand what you are talking about. And yes (TOW) is very important. LOL!!! Be safe out there and save some fish for me. LOL!!! Maybe I will see you drift by and say Hello to you. And again, Thank you for you helpful hints. Catch and Release is where its at for me. For the future of our kids. Happy fishing yourself Randy. Thanks, Rich W.

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Soooo, the lesson for today is there are 3 "basic" ways to locate and target these fish. (1 thru 3, in my opionion. 4-7 is advanced )

1. When the Steelhead are running, fish there transitional resting points as they make there way up the river. Otherwise, you are fishing to fish that are not stopping, decreasing your odds greatly, in my opionion.

2. Once they stop to hold for the remainder of the day, fish these prime transitional holding waters.

3. Find these prime non-transitional holding places in the river all Winter, and just fish those. After all, they aren't going anywhere soon.

4. Find a spot that is a combination of all 1-3. (Or, a spot that has all 3 in close proximity, so you can jump around according to what the fish are telling you to do)

5. Combine 1-4 and find a place above a looong stretch of rapids. The fish get tired after running these rapids. These fish will be in this spot for the longest period of time, offering you the greatest opportunity, all day!

6. Combine 1-5 and make sure that your spot has 98% of the fish in a transitional stage, move into it. This will offer you the greatest opportunity!

7. Combine 1-6 and pick a spot that compresses and or concentrates them. On a dime, like a sardine can, trash can lid or the size of a Volkswagen beetle or bus. This cuts down on all the guess work and allows to to present your offering to all the fish on every drift.

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By utilizing the above, you will have the most fish in front of you for the greatest period of time in a concentrated area offering you the greatest opportunity to present your offering to ALL of them. Fish ON - Baby!!

Now you know what I look for normally.....................

I hope you found "Todays Guide Tip" entertainingly informative or mildly educational.

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May all your door knobs smell of fish

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Thank you all for your words of encouragement, kind words and continued support. Ill continue to do my best in sharing what I've learned through experience, experimentation, borrowed ideas and taught techniques.

Stay tuned for more entertainingly informative and mildly educational reports and articles on this never-ending virtual fishing trip with your host Randy "The Yankee Angler" and friends.

I sincerely hope that what little I've been able to share with you will help you along the path to more enjoyable, safe, knowledgeable fishing.

Thanks for stopping in and spending your valuable internet fishing time here :)

Hope your all enjoying this great fishing!

The Steelhead fishing of your dreams...... ............ we'll make it reeeeeeeeeeeeeel.

(Photo)

Best Steelhead and Salmon Fish's,

Salmon River NY Guide and Author Randy Jones

Done