ped Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Does anyone know if trout and salmon strike small stickbaits when in rivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[email protected] Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Does anyone know if trout and salmon strike small stickbaits when in rivers. My initial reaction would be no, as they tend to be near the bottom. However, last week one took a swipe at my float... It has the teeth marks on it to prove it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted December 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 My initial reaction would be no, as they tend to be near the bottom. However, last week one took a swipe at my float... It has the teeth marks on it to prove it. sound promising but im still not sure yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky or Specks Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 I dont know about topwater but this steelhead came on a rouser-a muskie glide bait that stays near the surface you can see it hanging from its mouth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnimon Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 My initial reaction would be no, as they tend to be near the bottom. However, last week one took a swipe at my float... It has the teeth marks on it to prove it. you must have been fishing waterford.It happens there a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAC Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 I see Browns pick smelt off near the surface all the time, so it is definitely possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJL Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 Top water steelhead…Hell Yeah!!! For me it’s my holy grail of fishing. I’ve been blessed to have caught 1 3-4lb chrome steelhead on a dry fly (my only fish ever caught on a dry fly). I’ve also fished for them subsurface a foot or two with original rapalas as well as the jointed model in fast current - Watching them wake behind your lure as you retrieve it in is an insane rush. Like all things fishing, it’s dependant on weather and seasonal conditions (something I’m still learning myself after 7-8yrs of trying for topwater steelhead). I give surface fishing a try once or twice a year either with the fly rod or with lures…I don’t have the sheer dedication to pursue it all the time – It’s definitely not a numbers thing but it does happen to those who are persistent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kemper Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 Top water steelhead…Hell Yeah!!! For me it’s my holy grail of fishing. I’ve been blessed to have caught 1 3-4lb chrome steelhead on a dry fly (my only fish ever caught on a dry fly). I’ve also fished for them subsurface a foot or two with original rapalas as well as the jointed model in fast current - Watching them wake behind your lure as you retrieve it in is an insane rush. Like all things fishing, it’s dependant on weather and seasonal conditions (something I’m still learning myself after 7-8yrs of trying for topwater steelhead). I give surface fishing a try once or twice a year either with the fly rod or with lures…I don’t have the sheer dedication to pursue it all the time – It’s definitely not a numbers thing but it does happen to those who are persistent. Crazy eh? I tried skating some surface patterns this spring in the low gin conditions with hungry droppies. I got a couple to follow but I couldnt get them to commit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted December 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 oh god, you guys are getting me excited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneFly Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 Ive never done any top water or Dry flyfishing for salmon or steelhead,...but on many occasions,..usually around dusk I have witnessed steelhead and salmon surfacing to eat something on the surface,...its pretty cool to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 oh god, you guys are getting me excited. I wouldn't get to excited about top water steelhead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kemper Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 I wouldn't get to excited about top water steelhead Yup, an exercise in futility. Doesn't stop me from trying when I've had my fill of serious steelheading for the spring. I also got a couple stripping a huge zonker minnow this spring! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crankbait Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 I think using a single egg will work better this time of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 This is a good read if you have a few of minutes. http://www.flyfishsteelhead.com/stories/surface.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave524 Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 I beleive the late Lee Wulff used to catch Atlantics on dry flies at times and they are not unlike our steelhead. My best bet is that he would have used the Lee Wulff pattterns of dry flies, bushy high riders, often variations of existing patterns. For those inclined to try for steelies on a dry fly I would investigate his techniques. When I was a teen the man was a living legend, remember old B&W TV shows featuring his exploits with very short fly rods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troutologist Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 During a smelt run, I have caught lake trout on top raiders trolled into the current at the mouth of a river.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ThisPlaceSucks Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 i'm sure you could catch any game fish on topwater... i wouldnt' be out targeting steelhead with a zara spook however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted December 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 I know what you mean, its hard to imagine a steelhead striking a zara spook, but I recently got a 2 inch zara pooch ordered.Maybe that will imitate insects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky or Specks Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Man I have a sweet gig I do every spring where its all drop back steelies on a dry. The fish are ravenous come June and each pool produces one or 2 fish on the first couple of drifts before they are spooked out of their gourd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 I've posted this before but it's a very cool video for those that havn't seen it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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