Floats Down

Are you like most sitting around during winter dreaming of a FISH ONLINE? While most lakes have nothing but thin ice many anglers don't know what to target this time of year. They assume that even though most steelhead streams are free of ice at this time of year that steelhead cease their migration due to the cold. However on a warm December such as the one we are having many fresh steelhead continue to run with many early fall drop backs mixed in.

Test points:
1. Angler's predisposition and technical skills. Rod physical capabilities. - (20 points)
2. Venue characteristics (like water depth, lake or river, fishing from a boat, etc) - (25 points)
3. Other points:

If you've invested any amount of time pursuing lake Ontario Steelhead then by now you are likely aware of the environmental influences that are responsible for triggering the autumn migrations. While steelies begin to trickle into the tributaries come late September, stronger numbers become more prevalent as the weeks progress - especially when influenced by cool temperatures and autumn freshets.

Spectacular is the only word that repeats in my head after spending some time in the Pulaski area of New York State on the famed Salmon River chasing fresh Steelhead and Brown Trout on the Centrepin.2008 has been exceptional so far on the run of Steelhead entering this 12 mile watershed since about the end of October. The Salmon River has controlled flow from an electric dam upstream. Our trip occurred on a steady flow of 750 cfs which continued to bring waves of fresh chrome into the river.