Cold Weather Steelhead Fishing

Well it is a new year now and we have been dealingto entice into taking your hook. The smaller baits and
with cold weather for over a month and I havelures are less likely to spook the steelhead and they
noticed while out on the river that some Fishermenare also more likely to hit smaller baits this time of
are still using their same Steelhead fishing tactics. Thisyear. I prefer to use the paler colors this time of
made me think that it may be a good time to writeyear however I think this is more a matter of
an article about cold weather fishing.personal preference than anything else. Use slow
This time of year can be quite productive if youpresentations due to the fact that the fish will be
change your tactics just a little. This article is forless active, move a little further up into the hole the
those of us that enjoy being out on our favoritesteelhead hold hear now because it takes less energy
river even though the weather has turned cold. Onefor them to hold in the current. Fish some of the
of the reasons I enjoy this time of year is that mostdeeper holes that you know the steelhead now are
of the time you can have the river or stream toin a holding pattern and are looking for places that
yourself, its not hard to find a nice secluded spot tooffer the some security and where they do not
enjoy the river or stream.need to spend much energy to stay in the holes. Use
The main thing to remember when fishing in coldlighters lines and just enough wait so that you feel
weather is to dress appropriately you can not enjoythe bottom every once in a while the steelhead are
your self if you are cold! You should also be aware ofeven more likely to be right on the bottom this time
the unique challenges that cold weather presents.of year.
You guides on your pole will freeze waxing youYou can further your success by paying close
guides helps put there is know way to completelyattention to the weather and moon phases as
stop this from happening. Walking along the bank ofmentioned in a previous article the weather and
the river can be treacherous, when ever possible Iphases of the moon. As these two factors have a
will kick some sand or gravel out onto the bankmajor impact on the way fish react and their activity
giving just a little more traction to the frozen bank.during the day. Most of all be patent the steelhead
Cold weather steelhead fishing is going to be tougherhave slowed down and it takes just that much more
than when you were fishing in late October thetime to provoke a response from them. Don't expect
water temperature has cooled down and so has theto be able to hook into one with every cast you
fishing. However with a few simple changes to yourmay have to drift buy them a dozen or more times
fishing tactics you will still be able to catch some nicebefore they decide to strike.
fish. Remember to us smaller baits, lures, and jigs.So stay warm and enjoy the experience, and may
The water this time of year is normally crystal clearyou have a great New Year Fishing!
and cold making the steelhead just that much harder