A Series Of Unfortunate Steelheading Events 2024
BooyahMan reply :
This has been a very lousy Steelheading year for my dad and I. We've only been out a couple times as the river has been either blown out on days we are free or I am stuck at home with other priorities. I won't say we've had no luck connecting with a few fish, but so far this season it's been almost comical how we just can't seem to land any. We're not new to catching Steelhead or river fishing either, but this year it's definitely felt like a struggle. Here's a (short) list of the unfortunate events that have happened regarding fish:
1) We were fishing pockets in white-water when he hooked up a good sized fish. As he brought it closer he started to back up, but the rocks gave away underneath and caused him to slip into the river. He had to drop his setup in the river (Sage 2106lb/Islander combo) in order to get himself out of the water, and by the time he had found his rod the fish had shaken the hook. I was about a football field away at the time, and it was terrifying seeing him slip in like that.
2) I came very close to landing my first of the season, a bullet chrome 13lb wild doe. It was lying in about 2 inches of water and ready to be tailed. I bent down to grab it and the hook popped out. I basically consider it landed, but would have really liked to get a photo for my archives.
3) My dad hooked into a very large Steelhead (16-18lb estimate) on his last trip (I wasn't with him this time). He fought it for about 5 minutes before it started to tire and came to the shoreline. The problem was that he was on a 4 foot embankment and had to slowly lower himself down to the water before he could tail it. Just as he was getting himself down to the fish, the line went slack suddenly and the fish slid back into the depths of the river. He thought his leader had snapped, but upon closer inspection it was something much worse: the hook had straightened. In all our years of Steelheading, we rarely break leaders on fish but it does happen. What has never happened to us, however, was a hook straightening out. Talk about heart-breaking.
To make matters worse, Bass fishing has officially started here and I find myself having to choose between the green-backs and the chrome-backs.
Have you guys ever had a cold streak, when everything just seems to go wrong?
HardcoreBassin reply :
Wow...sounds like a strike of bad luck. Good news is that they "come in 3s" right?? haha I bet the next outing you guys have will be a great one. Try to shake off the funk. I hope you both hook and LAND new PB's on your next outing.
Tight lines.....and strong hooks...
- Dale
everythingthatswims reply :
Yeah I have definitely been there, but when I get "there", I try to get in the mindset that things can only get better from where I'm at. Don't worry, you'll get out of the slump.
The only thing that wasn't out of your control would be the hook straightening, I would suggest getting new hooks, or keep the drag on the reel set lower.
You may want to get a net so you don't have to tire the fish out completely before beaching the fish. I know wet rocks don't hurt a fish but when you slide them into shallow water they can beat themselves up pretty badly if they start thrashing. A net makes it easier to hold the fish in the water to revive it if you are taking photos or having trouble getting the hook out too.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
Hooks bending happens to me too. Using #12 hooks on the Niagara doesn't help either. 
The 2014 salmon and steelhead runs were a bit off too. But you lucky west coast guys have got HUGE fish. 18lbs is unheard of in Ontario. Although I did see one in particular that must have been pushing 18-20lbs in a small local creek, fish that size are really rare.
BooyahMan reply :
On 3/20/2015 at 4:44 AM, HardcoreBassin said:Wow...sounds like a strike of bad luck. Good news is that they "come in 3s" right?? haha I bet the next outing you guys have will be a great one. Try to shake off the funk. I hope you both hook and LAND new PB's on your next outing.
Tight lines.....and strong hooks...
- Dale
Thanks! Hopefully the "come in 3s" rule applies here haha.
On 3/20/2015 at 4:44 AM, everythingthatswims said:Yeah I have definitely been there, but when I get "there", I try to get in the mindset that things can only get better from where I'm at. Don't worry, you'll get out of the slump.
The only thing that wasn't out of your control would be the hook straightening, I would suggest getting new hooks, or keep the drag on the reel set lower.
You may want to get a net so you don't have to tire the fish out completely before beaching the fish. I know wet rocks don't hurt a fish but when you slide them into shallow water they can beat themselves up pretty badly if they start thrashing. A net makes it easier to hold the fish in the water to revive it if you are taking photos or having trouble getting the hook out too.
Technically, I haven't hit rock bottom yet. For all I know I could get skunked every trip for the rest of the season haha. *knock on wood*.
As I said, this is the first time that either of us have straightened a hook on a Steelhead. Possibly an old hook or a defective hook. The only fish I've straightened hooks on are Chinooks and Chums.
On 3/20/2015 at 8:00 AM, OntarioFishingGuy said:Hooks bending happens to me too. Using #12 hooks on the Niagara doesn't help either.
The 2014 salmon and steelhead runs were a bit off too. But you lucky west coast guys have got HUGE fish. 18lbs is unheard of in Ontario. Although I did see one in particular that must have been pushing 18-20lbs in a small local creek, fish that size are really rare.
Us West Coasters use much heavier gear than you guys too, if I remember correctly. I could totally see straightening a #12 fairly easily, but for the most part we are using #1 Gamakatsu or Vision hooks and they usually only bend (or snap!) when trying to stop a 25lb+ fish from running downstream.
In this particular system 18lbs or more for a Steelhead is rare but not unheard of. However, some of the systems a bit further away from me (Skeena and Thompson come to mind...very well-known rivers for Steelhead) have Steelhead pushing 25+. One of the elderly gentlemen that I work with told me of a Steelhead he hooked into on the Thompson a long time ago that was over 30lbs. Fought it for 20 minutes and his leader finally snapped.
You lucky guys in Ontario have such a diverse amount of fisheries and fish. Here it's Salmon/Steelhead/Trout. Anything else is "garbage", or at least that's the general mentality.
SirSnookalot reply :
Cold streaks happen. With the exception of some good sized jacks I'm struggling with many species. It always turns around.
BooyahMan reply :
Well, tried my hand at Steelheading again and...there must be something conspiring against me. Hooked a nice one drifting a colorado blade only to have it pop off mid-fight. :/ I rarely lose fish mid-fight like that; usually it's either right at the beginning if I didn't get a good hookset or at the end after a lengthy battle. At the very least no snapped leaders or spread hooks this time though. Maybe the good luck I've had in seasons past is finally catching up to me...
BannedForSpamming-1234555 reply :
At least your getting onto fish..you'll get them landed soon.
I struggled last year with only one steelhead in the fall...lots of skunked days.
ChrisWi reply :
I only got 2 last fall, gonna try getting some later today. Hopefully I'm a little luckier than you.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
Yea, this spring has been tough here. At least you're hooking fish.
ChrisWi reply :
I got a bit luckier, one nice male first trip of the year.
BooyahMan reply :
On 4/9/2015 at 6:52 AM, ChrisWi said:I got a bit luckier, one nice male first trip of the year.
Right on bud! What did you get it on if you don't mind me asking?
ChrisWi reply :
spawn, I'm fishing great lakes tribs so it's kinda a stapleOn 4/9/2015 at 11:29 AM, BooyahMan said:Right on bud! What did you get it on if you don't mind me asking?
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
On 4/9/2015 at 10:13 PM, ChrisWi said:spawn, I'm fishing great lakes tribs so it's kinda a staple
You fish lake Michigan tribs right?
ChrisWi reply :
correct!On 4/11/2015 at 8:38 PM, OntarioFishingGuy said:You fish lake Michigan tribs right?
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
Right on! Our rivers aren't fully open until the end of April, so I'm stuck fishing piers to get away from the crowds. Still beats the monstrosity that is the Niagara though....
ChrisWi reply :
we got a lot of rain, fish are in thick. Going to head out for a couple hours and see how it goes. My buddy got 9 this morning!On 4/12/2015 at 1:13 AM, OntarioFishingGuy said:Right on! Our rivers aren't fully open until the end of April, so I'm stuck fishing piers to get away from the crowds. Still beats the monstrosity that is the Niagara though....
BooyahMan reply :
Could have been another notch in the series of unfortunate events today with my first hook easily breaking on a snag (can't imagine what would have happened had I hooked a fish with that hook), but finally stuck one tight.
Just a little one, but I'll take it any day of the week over a skunk!
ChrisWi reply :
Anyone here centerpin?
BooyahMan reply :
On 4/14/2015 at 9:27 AM, ChrisWi said:Anyone here centerpin?
That's the only thing I use for Steelhead and Salmon 
ChrisWi reply :
what kind do you use?On 4/14/2015 at 11:39 AM, BooyahMan said:That's the only thing I use for Steelhead and Salmon
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
On 4/14/2015 at 9:27 AM, ChrisWi said:Anyone here centerpin?
Yup! Using a Matrix Special Edition. Hoping to upgrade to an Islander soon.
BannedForSpamming-1234555 reply :
I fished a creek a couple weeks back and most of my time was spent on retying.
I can't believe how many snags and tackle were lost.
J Francho reply :
I do a little pinning.
ChrisWi reply :
my buddy fishes a islander, he loves it, I'm on more of a budget, thin. Im going to get a Matrix 4 3/8, the non ported one.On 4/14/2015 at 11:53 PM, OntarioFishingGuy said:Yup! Using a Matrix Special Edition. Hoping to upgrade to an Islander soon.
ChrisWi reply :
water is super low right now everywhere!On 4/15/2015 at 1:46 AM, PUMP KNOWS said:I fished a creek a couple weeks back and most of my time was spent on retying.
I can't believe how many snags and tackle were lost.
BooyahMan reply :
On 4/14/2015 at 9:06 PM, ChrisWi said:what kind do you use?
Okuma Aventa as my beater reel for Salmon:
Islander Steelheader for...well, Steelhead:
ChrisWi reply :
how did you get the handle on the other side!On 4/15/2015 at 12:52 PM, BooyahMan said:Okuma Aventa as my beater reel for Salmon:
Islander Steelheader for...well, Steelhead:
J Francho reply :
Aside from some of the newer AR pins, they are just an arbor on bearings. As long as it's balanced and true, and decent bearings, not much difference other than the inertia required to get it spinning. Kingpins sure are pretty though!
ChrisWi reply :
a very experienced steelheader I fish with said to stay away from Okumas reels, so I think ill end up getting a Raven Matrix!On 4/16/2015 at 10:52 PM, J Francho said:Aside from some of the newer AR pins, they are just an arbor on bearings. As long as it's balanced and true, and decent bearings, not much difference other than the inertia required to get it spinning. Kingpins sure are pretty though!
J Francho reply :
My cheap Aventa is going 6 years old. No issues. Caught tons of fish in it. Raven stuff is nice too.
ChrisWi reply :
I didnt ask why, he fishes with a reel not made anymore, I wanna say it's called a Mykis?On 4/17/2015 at 4:03 AM, J Francho said:My cheap Aventa is going 6 years old. No issues. Caught tons of fish in it. Raven stuff is nice too.
J Francho reply :
Mykiss are nice too. Mykiss is the genus for steelies.
ChrisWi reply :
it looks really nice, he says they arent made anymore though. And if you find them it'll hurt the pocket book.On 4/17/2015 at 5:34 AM, J Francho said:Mykiss are nice too. Mykiss is the genus for steelies.
ChrisWi reply :
Since this has turned into more of a steelhead talk, what kind of floats do yo. Guys like using?
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
On 4/17/2015 at 5:50 AM, ChrisWi said:Since this has turned into more of a steelhead talk, what kind of floats do yo. Guys like using?
Redwing Phantom for smaller creeks or Raven FM/FS. Slip floats for deeper than 10 feet.
J Francho reply :
Ravens and a couple hand turned ones I get locally.
ChrisWi reply :
I like Drennon floats of all kinds, and a few my pal gave me, not a clue what they are but they're great! as far as Ravens floats, what would be the best for Depths of like 3 to 5 feet and medium to slow current?
BooyahMan reply :
On 4/17/2015 at 3:32 AM, ChrisWi said:a very experienced steelheader I fish with said to stay away from Okumas reels, so I think ill end up getting a Raven Matrix!
Absolutely nothing wrong with Okuma pins. I put mine through a lot of abuse for salmon fishing and it holds up nicely. Even paired it with my 13' Shimano Clarus last season and didn't miss my 3106/Islander combo at all.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
http://www.raventackle.com/img/raven_float_chart.jpg
I really like the SS or SM for shallow slow water.
ChrisWi reply :
I can get the raven $30 cheaper anyways! How do you like the clarus? I have one of their steelhead spinning rods that I like.On 4/17/2015 at 1:28 PM, BooyahMan said:Absolutely nothing wrong with Okuma pins. I put mine through a lot of abuse for salmon fishing and it holds up nicely. Even paired it with my 13' Shimano Clarus last season and didn't miss my 3106/Islander combo at all.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
The Raven is a smaller pin as well, so it probably won't balance a rod as well as a larger one and will have a bit less line pick up. It should be lighter than the Okuma though.
J Francho reply :
Drennan floats are great for when you're dealing with casting into rocks where you might smack up a plastic or wood float. They are limited in design styles I can find around here though, and I prefer to use wood.
ChrisWi reply :
Crystal Avons are the best slow water float around, they do really good in the wind too!On 4/17/2015 at 8:59 PM, J Francho said:Drennan floats are great for when you're dealing with casting into rocks where you might smack up a plastic or wood float. They are limited in design styles I can find around here though, and I prefer to use wood.
J Francho reply :
If you say so, lol. Did your buddy tell you this? I'm not sure the ones I use, they're long, narrow, and just a litle nub at the top sticks out of the water. Wind is rarely an issue in the wooded ditches I fish. Though, I don't often use a pin in slow water. In fact I avoid fishing it at all, seems too much like flossing, and doesn't exploit the advantages of pinning, which is coving water using current.
ChrisWi reply :
no, I got a bunch of these. The long stem is great, and it's been a windy season here. my only complaint is what you mentioned, only a very bit is visible!On 4/17/2015 at 9:14 PM, J Francho said:If you say so, lol. Did your buddy tell you this? I'm not sure the ones I use, they're long, narrow, and just a litle nub at the top sticks out of the water. Wind is rarely an issue in the wooded ditches I fish. Though, I don't often use a pin in slow water. In fact I avoid fishing it at all, seems too much like flossing, and doesn't exploit the advantages of pinning, which is coving water using current.
J Francho reply :
That's why it's pink.
ChrisWi reply :
still tough to see when their is foam on the water. What kind of mainline do you run?On 4/17/2015 at 9:25 PM, J Francho said:That's why it's pink.
J Francho reply :
Siglon F in pink. 8#.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
10lb Trilene XL. Hoping to try put a hi vis line this year.On 4/17/2015 at 10:38 PM, ChrisWi said:still tough to see when their is foam on the water. What kind of mainline do you run?
BooyahMan reply :
On 4/17/2015 at 8:27 PM, ChrisWi said:I can get the raven $30 cheaper anyways! How do you like the clarus? I have one of their steelhead spinning rods that I like.
I like it. However I frequently fish white water pockets and for that it's a little on the soft side. For slower water though it's more than enough, and for smaller rivers/creeks I could imagine it would be fantastic.
ChrisWi reply :
8? Rather light for a pin isn't it?On 4/17/2015 at 11:03 PM, J Francho said:Siglon F in pink. 8#.
J Francho reply :
Not really. Leaders are as low as 4#. It's been working for a decade, so…
BooyahMan reply :
It amazes me how different the gear we use here in BC is from what you guys use out East. Everyone here has 15-20lb main, 12lb leader. Some go down to 8lb leader when the water is really low and clear, but 4lb for Steelhead here is pretty much unheard of. I can imagine fighting a Steelie with line that light must get the heart pounding!
J Francho reply :
"Low" water can literally mean enough to cover their backs. Most of the fish aren't as big as our west either. 8-12 lb. Average.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
On 4/19/2015 at 3:57 AM, BooyahMan said:It amazes me how different the gear we use here in BC is from what you guys use out East. Everyone here has 15-20lb main, 12lb leader. Some go down to 8lb leader when the water is really low and clear, but 4lb for Steelhead here is pretty much unheard of. I can imagine fighting a Steelie with line that light must get the heart pounding!
Tiny creeks and super clear water - lighter leaders. I always keep a spool of 3, 4, 6 and 8 on hand. I have watched steelhead move out of the way of 6lb flourocarbon leader while it was drifting through a pool. Longer noodle rods help protect the light leaders.
ChrisWi reply :
the run is kinda tailing out here, suckers have taken over, that being said I managed one nice female today! Spawn and since we're talking leader size, I was using 6 pound.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
On 4/19/2015 at 7:49 AM, ChrisWi said:the run is kinda tailing out here, suckers have taken over, that being said I managed one nice female today! Spawn and since we're talking leader size, I was using 6 pound.
Our opener is next weekend! We'll be fishing for dropbacks for sure. Going for panfish and carp (I know...) tomorrow - tired of getting skunked on steelhead. I have heard that most of the fish here have already spawned, so opener might not be so amazing.
ChrisWi reply :
the fish I got today was actually pretty full of spawn, she shot some eggs while I was handling her, I'd post a picture but it's too big and I have no clue how to fix that.On 4/19/2015 at 11:00 AM, OntarioFishingGuy said:Our opener is next weekend! We'll be fishing for dropbacks for sure. Going for panfish and carp (I know...) tomorrow - tired of getting skunked on steelhead. I have heard that most of the fish here have already spawned, so opener might not be so amazing.
J Francho reply :
I love it when guys use suckers to gauge a trout run. More river for me.
ChrisWi reply :
the suckers are annoying, and by me at least, a majority of the fish spawned last week and are headed back to the lake. I missed peak run because I was walleye fishing.On 4/20/2015 at 1:18 AM, J Francho said:I love it when guys use suckers to gauge a trout run. More river for me.
J Francho reply :
The best fish usually hit my ditches after the main run. The suckers don't really run with any rhyme or reason - if there's water, they show up.
ChrisWi reply :
I'm still gonna fish till may, then bass opens up.On 4/20/2015 at 2:33 AM, J Francho said:The best fish usually hit my ditches after the main run. The suckers don't really run with any rhyme or reason - if there's water, they show up.
J Francho reply :
Get 'em!
BooyahMan reply :
How big are these suckers? Even if there weren't any Steelhead I wouldn't mind hooking other fish. We have Bull Trout and Mountain Whitefish but for whatever reason I don't come across them that often and 9/10 whatever is on the end of the line is usually a Steelhead. From the sounds of it the suckers are a bit of a nuisance?
ChrisWi reply :
anywhere from 12 to 22 inches I'd say, they fight decent but they're gross. Like a carp.On 4/20/2015 at 11:32 AM, BooyahMan said:How big are these suckers? Even if there weren't any Steelhead I wouldn't mind hooking other fish. We have Bull Trout and Mountain Whitefish but for whatever reason I don't come across them that often and 9/10 whatever is on the end of the line is usually a Steelhead. From the sounds of it the suckers are a bit of a nuisance?
BannedForSpamming-1234555 reply :
On 4/20/2015 at 11:32 AM, BooyahMan said:How big are these suckers? Even if there weren't any Steelhead I wouldn't mind hooking other fish. We have Bull Trout and Mountain Whitefish but for whatever reason I don't come across them that often and 9/10 whatever is on the end of the line is usually a Steelhead. From the sounds of it the suckers are a bit of a nuisance?
When the sucker spawn is in full force, they usually out number the steelhead. You gotta weed out the suckers to catch your target. Also they will crush your roe bags and that gets frustrating wasting your bait.
J Francho reply :
Redhorse suckers can go over 10 easy. White and long nosed, rarely over 5.
ChrisWi reply :
that's why I like beads when they start running. They also seem to be more effective later on too because most guys arent using beads.On 4/20/2015 at 9:19 PM, PUMP KNOWS said:When the sucker spawn is in full force, they usually out number the steelhead. You gotta weed out the suckers to catch your target. Also they will crush your roe bags and that gets frustrating wasting your bait.
BooyahMan reply :
See...I wouldn't mind catching suckers that size, even if that meant not catching any Steelhead. Then again, I fish for almost anything and everything haha.
ChrisWi reply :
I'd rather be skunked, nothing worse than seeing your float shoot down then seeing a ugly sucker behind it.On 4/21/2015 at 4:31 AM, BooyahMan said:See...I wouldn't mind catching suckers that size, even if that meant not catching any Steelhead. Then again, I fish for almost anything and everything haha.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
Beauty fish!
BannedForSpamming-1234555 reply :
Thanks!
BannedForSpamming-1234555 reply :
MY BIGGEST OF THE SEASON
J Francho reply :
I'm on my phone, is that a dime size roe bag? If so,that'll go double digits, easy - maybe mid teens. Hard to tell. It's a beaut, though.
ChrisWi reply :
I'd say that's gotta be close to 12
BannedForSpamming-1234555 reply :
Yea a dime sized roe bag.
The sad part was I thought I was recording with my cam but when I released it, my cam had a error on it.
I was lucky I took 2 quick pics so I can show it to my friends who were fishing other holes.
BooyahMan reply :
Now there's a chunky one. Nice job!
BooyahMan reply :
Last trip of the season for me and got another little hatchery runt. Not complaining though!
ChrisWi reply :
runt? I wouldn't be complaining about that one.On 4/27/2015 at 10:55 AM, BooyahMan said:Last trip of the season for me and got another little hatchery runt. Not complaining though!
BannedForSpamming-1234555 reply :
Why is it your last trip of the season?
J Francho reply :
Good stuff. My unfortunate steelhead events are centered around fishing for bass. Too bad for me, but lucky for the chrome.
BooyahMan reply :
On 4/29/2015 at 8:22 PM, PUMP KNOWS said:Why is it your last trip of the season?
The river I frequent for Steelhead is closing for us gear guys on May 1st. There's still a chance of catching some Steel in other systems but I am going to be focusing on Bass and the early Coho Salmon that will be coming in in May.
BannedForSpamming-1234555 reply :
Cool, thanks guys.
Spring kings would be fun to catch.
BooyahMan reply :
On 5/6/2015 at 8:53 AM, PUMP KNOWS said:
Spring kings would be fun to catch.
Little bit of trivia: This sentence seemed redundant to me at first glance because here we call them Springs instead of Kings. On occasion you'll hear "Chinook" as well but most of the time it's Red Spring/White Spring. Or if you're in the ocean and it's a specimen over 40lbs, they call them Tyees.
BannedForSpamming-1234555 reply :
Do the Springs spawn?
BooyahMan reply :
On 5/7/2015 at 12:56 AM, PUMP KNOWS said:Do the Springs spawn?
Yes sir.
Batson reply :
Looks like you need to come just across the boarder to Washington. Its been good this year!
BooyahMan reply :
On 5/8/2015 at 11:21 PM, Batson said:Looks like you need to come just across the boarder to Washington. Its been good this year!
I've always wanted to go Steelheading in Washington and Oregon; I've heard fantastic stories about the runs you guys get down there. Regarding this season, it actually wasn't bad at all and much better than our season which was incredibly dismal. I was just complaining early on because we couldn't stick our fish long enough to land them.
Batson reply :
haha.. We here you! Well any time you get the urge to come on down, we are not very far away at all. The Olympic Pen is where to go!
ChrisWi reply :
My season here in Wisconsin was pretty bad, that being said I didn't get out to fish much, ended up walleye fishing a majority of the run. That being said I still landed some great fish!
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
I had a decent season, the run seemed a bit off though. We still have a few late run fish staging at the piers (from what I've been hearing) so there might be a few more opportunities to catch steels before they go deep for the summer.
BannedForSpamming-1234555 reply :
I'm thinking if I should even attempt for steel at this point.
I gave up about two weeks ago.
J Francho reply :
Not unless you're trolling deep.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
On 5/26/2015 at 9:50 PM, PUMP KNOWS said:I'm thinking if I should even attempt for steel at this point.
I gave up about two weeks ago.
I went out last weekend and saw nothing. Maybe there will be a run of super late fish, but I doubt it.
BooyahMan reply :
On 5/27/2015 at 6:53 AM, OntarioFishingGuy said:I went out last weekend and saw nothing. Maybe there will be a run of super late fish, but I doubt it.
Do you guys get any summer run Steelhead? There are a couple of rivers near me that get summer runs and thus we can basically target Steel all year long in these systems.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
Some lake Huron tribs might get Skamanian steelhead, but the Ontario tribs generally don't. In some really large systems (Niagara River), they stay until around mid-June.
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