I’ve been fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead for 8 years now. Steelhead fishing has become an obsession of mine. Whether it is fall or the cold of winter, I am willing to drive 5 hours to have a chance at such a beautiful fish. Some days you will fish for hours without a single take..but when you get that beautiful chromed out steelhead on the end of your line cartwheeling and taking you downriver, all those fishless hours are worth it.
Tip 1. Have the Proper Gear
An 11ft 7 weight switch rod is my rod of choice when steelheading. It allows you to do everything. You can swing flies with a scandi or skagit setup, you can tight line nymph and or throw an indicator rig. The 11ft rods give you great line control and feel. Using a longer rod also helps you land fish faster and more effectively. Make sure you have a reel with a strong and smooth drag.
Line choice: Fluorocarbon/ Tippet that you trust. I prefer (Cortland or maxima) 4-8lb fluorocarbon and (Cortland Top Secret) 2x-4x tippet. As it gets later in the season drop your poundage or tippet size.
Tip 2. Variety of Different Flies:
Always have a wide variety of flies. Egg patterns in a variety of colors, stoneflies big and small, squirmy worms, nymphs, egg sucking leeches etc. Change your flies throughout the day. Figure out what these fish will eat on a specific day.
Tip 3. Read Water According to the Season:
Finding and recognizing productive holding water for steelhead is key. This, of course, depends on the time of year and conditions. Fall: Steelhead are most often found in the faster water. The pockets, riffles, and runs but don’t hesitate to fish slower braids. Winter: Steelhead are most often found in the slower/moderate water. Fish the deeper pools and runs.
Always practice catch and release, watching the fish you just landed swim away strong is the best part!
So this steelhead (pictured above) was one of the biggest steelheads I’ve seen in person in my 8 years of fishing the river. This big male was 35.5 inches with a 17.75†girth weighing in at 16.5lbs.
The big male put up one hell of a fight. It ran me downriver quite a ways to the point where I thought I was not going to land it. As the fight went on and the fish became tired I was able to bring him back upriver. With my bud Will on the net, we were able to bring the fish close enough for a one-shot scoop as the fish was getting ready for a second run. With the fish in the net we were both so stoked. It was a once and a lifetime fish and a memory I will cherish forever.
Article and photos from Mike Querfeld, check him out on Instagram @mike_querfeld.
Flip Pallot is often referred to as a total outdoorsman, which is most certainly true; he is also an innovator, entrepreneur, teacher, mentor, author, broadcaster, conservation champion, and is held in the highest regard by many as an extraÂordinary friend.
From his earliest days in Dade County, where he had the opportunity to study the local wildlife, to his time at the University of Miami where he went to school with his three best friends, John Emory, Norman Duncan, and Chico Fernandez, fishing was an integral part of his life.
From 1963-1967, Flip was in the jungles of Panama as a linguist with the U.S. Army. Fishing there and throughout Central America was wonderful, offering a preview of an angling life in exotic destinations to come.
Though Flip worked as a banker, he knew that this was not what life was all about and hung up his suit to pursue his dream career as a fishing and hunting guide. Hurricane Andrew devastated his successful Homestead business after 12 years and Flip and his family relocated to Mims in Central Florida, where the production of outdoor television became his third career.
Following episodes of ABC American Sportsman and the Outdoor Life series (with the help of Stu Apte and Glenn Lau), the Walkers Cay Chronicles was born and aired original programming for 16 seasons on ESPN. Flip also worked with another close friend on numerous projects, the late and much-missed Lefty Kreh.
Flip’s expertise can be felt throughout the fly fishing world and beyond in his partnerships with Hell’s Bay Boat Works, Temple Fork Outfitters, Cortland Lines, Yeti, Costa, Raymarine Electronics, and, most recently, Frigate Reserve Rum.
The American Museum of Fly Fishing is proud to honor Flip as the recipient of the 2020 Izaak Walton Award.
Event Info:
Where:
Town Hall at the Ocean Reef Club
201 Ocean Reef Drive
Key Largo, Florida 33037
In this week’s How to Tie Video feature, The Fly Fiend shows us how to tie the Articulated Stonefly.
Learn About This Fly
Difficulty: Intermediate
The stonefly nymph is one of the most common flies used by anglers when fishing big flows in regions from Pennsylvania to California. These insects are largely dependant on rich oxygenated waters, and will often be found in cold, clean rivers and streams. In their larval stage, they spend their time submerged, feasting on the larvae of several other smaller insects such as caddis and mayflies. Because of their ravenous diets, stoneflies are known to grow to be quite large and are often the first choice of any hungry trout.
Because of their size and abundance of these flies, they have grown immense favor amongst anglers and tiers alike. This popularity has lead to hundreds of different variations in how these flies, larval and adult states alike, can be tied. The articulated nymph variation we see above is one of the most interesting as well as effective stonefly patterns.
By utilizing a dual-hook body, or articulation, this fly possesses an extra level of movement in flowing currents, and not only looks more life-like when submerged, but will draw more fish as its movement acts as an additional attractor. Fish will be hard-pressed to pass up this protein-packed morsel whenever it happens to enter their general vicinity. Not to mention, it is an incredibly fun tie, and a great way to explore new methods.
Well, 2019 has come and gone. The endless conservation priorities of fly fishermen around the country and world will continue. That is not to say that there were no conservation victories in 2019–because there were many. However, sustained conservation work and activism must continue! Let’s take a look back at 2019, before we jump into 2020.
In 2019, fly fishermen and those who similarly cherish our environment and ecosystems accomplished a lot. 115,937 comments were submitted in regard to Pebble Mine’s (flawed) Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Protecting Bristol Bay brought so many people and groups together; it was a great sight to witness. We at Flylords were glad to lend our support, but the folks at Trout Unlimited and other organizations have been steadfast in protecting this pristine salmon fishery.
Also, in 2019, the many conservation organizations and fly fishing companies continued their respective work to preserve and protect the environment. Patagonia raised $20 million for grassroots organizations such as Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, the Wild Salmon Center, and many others.
In the muddled waters of 2019’s politics, there was good and there was bad. Congress worked in bipartisan fashion to fund conservation priorities such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Chesapeake Bay restoration, and the Everglades Restoration, to name a few. The Natural Resources Management Act, which includes numerous provisions that benefit our fisheries, was signed into law. Additionally, Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, agreed East coast recreation fishermen, when he imposed a moratorium on Virginia’s Menhaden fishery.
And then, there was the BAD. the Trump administration moved to weaken the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act, which are two of America’s strongest environmental protection laws. Also, the Trump administration deliberately worked to open up Bristol Bay and the Tongass National Forest–which provide habitat to millions of salmon, steelhead, and other species–to the benefit of environmentally damaging corporate interests. These are examples of this administration’s tangible attacks on the environment. However, the administration’s wide-ranging attacks on sound science, climate denial, and key conservation agencies will have lasting impacts for America’s delicate natural resources.
But, out with 2019 and bring on 2020. There are some big conservation developments that are expected to gain momentum 2020. Dam removal projects on the Klamath River are set to begin in 2020. The Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir Project is expected to make big strides in 2020, with the help of $200 million in federal funding. This is huge project that seeks to address the chronic mismanagement of Florida’s water, which will ultimately improve habitat in Florida’s Everglades and the Keys and benefit all the amazing fisheries that South Florida has to offer. Captains for Clean Water has been working on this issue for years now, and they are excited for 2020. Click on this link for more information on the project. Captains for Clean Water, in a recent blog post, wrote, “We must push for increased state and federal funding so Everglades restoration projects such as the EAA Reservoir can be constructed in expedited timelines.”
Another project we are actively keeping our eye on is the Klamath river’s restoration. The 260 mile long Klamath river historically was one of the most productive salmon and steelhead rivers in the contiguous United States. However, dams have decimated the once productive river. Well, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation–the leading organization for dam removal–will be busy in 2020 as they continue their work to secure the necessary permits and license transfers. This is an incredibly complex project, which we will be dissecting in a future article. In the meantime, check out the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, if you are interested!
Photo by Ben Moon
2020 will undoubtably be a contentious–and dare I say ugly–year in politics. Being a presidential election year, the nation’s focus will be on primaries and election news. But, in the background conservation work will continue. Hopefully bills like Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which would provide $1.4 billion in funding for America’s most at-risk and vulnerable species, and work in both Houses of Congress on the National Fish Habitat Partnership, a state driven conservation program that directly funds local fish habitat restoration projects, continue through Congress and become law!
As fly fishermen, we can only hope for continued work on conservation and habitat improvement. But, we also must understand that our voices make a difference. Commenting on federal issues through forms may seem unimportant and repetitive, but it is essential for preserving what we love. Good fishing and pristine environments cannot be taken for granted; it takes effort, on-the-ground enthusiasm, and conscious voting to protect our resources. Flylords is excited for 2020 and, as always, will continue to highlight important fly fishing related conservation developments!
If you know of any big conservation stories going on in 2020, please send an email to news@theflylords.com. We’d love to hear what’s important to you, personally.
2019 has been an incredible year for all of us here at Flylords Mag, we’ve shared more stories with you this year than ever before, been on epic adventures and landed memories that will last for the remainder of our lives.
Firstly, we’d like to thank all of our loyal readers for following along this year, we could not do this without you! Secondly, thank you to all who have contributed stories to the Mag, your adventures, tips and stories of legendary fish keep us inspired, and never fail to get us stoked to get on the water.
On this, the final day of 2019, we wanted to share the most popular stories of the year and feature a few of our favorites as we prepare our gear and stories for 2020!
Originally I’m from the center of New Zealand’s South Island, Twizel to be exact. The area is now famous for its hydro canal systems and abundance of trophy trout. However when I grew up and learned to fish this area, it was not what it is today, sure there was world-class fly fishing in the surrounding rivers and streams but the man-made canal systems in question were only in their infancy and barely showing the signs of what they now display.
So I decided to head back to the homeland. This was my umpteenth journey back to the area in search of a monster trout on the fly. The trip started two days before the high country rivers were due to open and these were to be the main focus of the trip, revisiting streams and rivers I hadn’t fished in several years. The first 2 days I intended to fish the canals, but with the first morning producing nothing I decided to quit and head to a river that I had fished a few times in the past, it really wasn’t that good, but I had heard of some better fish being caught of recent. AÂ 20-minute drive and my first investigation of a likely looking edge revealed a fish the size of which I had never seen in this river, I backed away excited and returned to the vehicle to get geared up.
This is also the point I turned on the cameras and filmed the intro to what would soon become the most amazing day of fishing I have ever had. After spooking the first fish, which actually turned out to be 2 fish I slowly worked up the rest of the run. A few more steps upstream this time with eyes focused like lasers, I focused in on a fish. This fish blew my mind as it came closer to the net and I realized it was actually a great fish and the net scale revealed 9lbs of rainbow trout!
After retying fresh gear to be safe knowing what I could potentially hook and also to give the pool more time to rest I returned and was happy to see fish still feeding and quite happy, after catching a few 3-5lb fish, fish I would normally easily see but missed due to the company they were with. I got a shot a larger fish that had dropped back, the fly I had tied on was a Size 14 Pheasant Tail. The cast was well to the fishes left but my heart stopped as the fish promptly made his way towards my fly, and watching my indicator dip fish on! I knew this was a much bigger version, a frantic trip downstream to land the fish revealed 13lbs of rainbow trout, this was my biggest fish on fly and I couldn’t believe what had happened, I had never seen so many big fish in one area and was having the time of my life.
After tripping around the river looking for more fish, finding a few and messing it up i returned to that area to have one last look. This time there was not a lot of fish about but there at the very top of the run was holding one more very large trout. I crossed the river to check another likely looking piece of water only to spook yet another fish, when I returned to the other side it made for a much better cast and drift opportunity. The fish was actively feeding and after a few looks and 1/2 dozen fly changes having tied the Pheasant Tail back on the fish finally drifted towards my fly the tiny indicator I had on was worn out and sinking so I waited for the visible flash of the fishes mouth, between that point and tension seemed like an eternity and I was shocked to find myself connected to a truly monster trout I had just sight fished from not a lot of water. The fish became wrapped at one point and I was sure I was not landing her, but somehow much further downstream the fish ended up in the net and I was pumped. My net scales bottom out at 14lb and this fish sat on the stops hard. My initial guess on the river was 20 lb but I later revised that to 17lb
In under 2 hrs, I had topped my personal best trout on fly twice! This river will never be the same in my mind and I’m sure I will spend many days searching for some fishing like that again. This was easily my best day of fly fishing I have ever had and may never get close to repeating. I hope you enjoy the video and be sure to subscribe to my Youtube Channel here.
Article and photos from Gareth Bayliss (@trouthuntingnz), a YouTuber, Creator & Fly Fishing Guide New Zealand.
Have you ever dreamed of living in New Zealand on a remote, expansive property, nestled between the sea and a phenomenal wild trout stream? Well, German millionaire Karl Reipen is looking for “10 nice people” to share his 551-acre estate on the North Island of New Zealand with, complete with separate houses for everyone.
According to his advertisement in the NZ Herald, he has been working on the property for about 10 years. The $5.6 million (NZ) property is sandwiched between the Tasman Sea and the Awakino River, known for its trout fly fishing. Reipen has also built a winery and stables on the property, so if you have any horses, you are welcome to bring them along with you.
Karl Reipen’s Ad in the New Zealand Herald
In order to apply, all you need to be is under 70 and have no issues living an hour and a half from the nearest urban area, with 10 eclectic strangers. Reipen seems well-intentioned with his proposition and simply wants to share his paradise with everyone, but this ad seems a bit too good to be true, and a little bit like the start of a James Bond or horror film…
The rod was bent to the cork as a tank smallmouth hauled on the working end of the line. It’s been said that pound for pound the smallmouth bass are the hardest fighting freshwater fish and this one was living up to that reputation. Hovering beside a shallow boulder I’d spotted her just a minute before. While it took some coaxing she couldn’t resist the dancing strip of rabbit fur just inches away and now she was jumping, head shaking and stripping line from the reel.
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, when tank smallies move into skinny water get after them!
Sometimes you have to give up what you really want to see the gift that is sitting there right in front of you. For the past two and a half weeks I’d been slinging my 10 and 8 weight rigs chasing pike. While I’d had some success, the fishing had been great just the catching in the warm summer waters wasn’t spectacular. Occasionally, with the shoulder needing a rest I’d break out my 4 weight to chase some bass and enjoy the effortless casting of a light rod.
Being my second to last day at the cottage I was trying to get in every last minute of fishing before heading to Toronto and flying west, back to British Columbia. It was 1:30 in the afternoon, a dying wind and water calm as glass. The lightest of breezes crawled the boat across the largest rock shoal in the lake. It quickly became apparent through my polarized lenses that there was smallmouth bass scattered everywhere.
Warm days and cool September nights brought the water temperatures into the smallmouth bass’s preferred range, moving them into the shallows to hunt.
The end of summer is an interesting time in southern Ontario, the noticeably shorter days and cool nights of early September had dropped the water temperatures into the high 60’s which brought the bronzebacks up to feed on the rocks. There was no doubt in my mind that they were chasing crayfish and filling their bellies. Standing on the decrepit middle seat of our old aluminum boat I was elevated enough to see 20 to 30 feet ahead. There was bass all around me, in the hour and a half of calm conditions I saw well over twenty smallies and made successful casts to at least ten of them.
Hooked up and bent, these bass gave the 4 weight rod a real work out.
Often spotted in pairs I would cast 5 to 10 feet beyond, the splash of the Zuddler often intriguing them. While not actively feeding I would dance the fly in front of their face until one would suck it in. The take is so subtle on the slackline that the hookset relied on me watching for when it was safely in their mouth. More often then not I would set too early or too late but I did get hooks sunk a few times and managed to net two large fish (and lost several when they became airborne) the first afternoon.
With similar conditions the next morning it was game on again, standing on the seat, sight casting to large smallmouth bass, watching the strike in gin clear water. If anything they were in a more aggressive feeding mood and in the end I’m not exactly sure how many I hooked but it was without a doubt the best session of bass fishing I’d ever experienced and all on a light fly rod. These smallmouth bass were absolute bruisers and in over thirty years of fishing experience on this little lake, I’d never seen anything like it. They were everywhere on the one-acre shoal. This unexpected bonanza of bronzebacks left me shaking and if I could change anything it would’ve been to have had my wife or nephews all who are learning to fly fish with me to experience it.
Waking early on Saturday, I’d planned on getting in one last little mission before heading to Toronto. While sitting outside by the water, drinking the first coffee of the day with my parents I decided to breakdown my rods and stow my gear away. The past two days of fishing still had me buzzing, the muscle memory of the fights still there I decided to end my trip on that high note. I had disturbed these big bass enough, in a way it was satisfying to leave wanting more, already planning for next year’s trip east in my head.
Article from Matthew Mallory, a writer, and photographer based out of Whistler, British Columbia. His work has covered mainly mountain biking and mountain snowmobiling and now has found a passion for fly fishing. Check him out on the web at  www.mmcreatives.com.
In this week’s Fly Fishing Destination Video of the Week, Wild Fly Productions and Blue Line Co. bring us to the scenic Canadian west in pursuit of some beautiful bull trout and some unforgettable scenery. This video stands as the first episode of Wild Fly’s NORTHERN NATIVES series and does an excellent job of pulling the audience in close and making us feel as if we’re embarking on this adventure with them. Through this expertly crafted docu-series, we follow these anglers as they roll down endless rivers in pursuit of big fish on big flies. A perfect fix for any flying or tying junkie, this short makes targeting the elusive bull trout look like child’s play.
Tune in every Friday for a new installment of Fly Fishing Destination Videos and make sure to sign up for our newsletter below in order to keep up with new content published daily.
We are incredibly excited to launch fishing reports for the Salmon River in New York, brought to you in partnership with our friends at The Salmon River Newbie. We will be updating these reports all Steelhead season to help you decide when to head north and brave the elements for a shot at some Great Lakes Steel!
Lower Section, Salmon River
Summary
Last week, the weather was warm in upstate NY. Some days reached into the high 40s. That is three times the normal temperatures in Pulaski and Altmar. Additionally, there were a few water level fluctuations that pushed fish to move around and cleared out the river of debris. The water was clear, and the sun was out, so this made anglers have to change their fishing strategies. The river is currently at 750 CFS at Pineville, and the water release is at 500 CFS. As of this writing, it looks like the water levels will continue as is this weekend. This water level is considered by many an optimal water level for Steelhead fishing on the Salmon River. The weather will continue to be warm with maybe rain on Sunday.
@CobbleCreekOutfitters, a guide on the Salmon River, recommends the following strategy to fish during this time.
Do your homework the day before. Look at the water levels and the weather and map out a strategy for locations and types of fishing.
Be quiet and careful in your wading. The sun and water clarity are spooking fish, so being careful in wading is essential.
Due to the warm weather and water clarity, the fishing was characterized as good during this week. The number of anglers who were able to get into fish went up from previous weeks. This could be because, during this season, the Douglaston Salmon Run only allows a limited amount of anglers per day. So the fish to angler ratio goes up, and on warmer days, anglers’ attitudes can be more positive so that fishing can be more productive. The mental game is as important as the equipment when Steelhead fishing.Â
This weekend I recommend that you fish early light because as soon as the sun comes up, the fish begin to hide. Then around 10 AM, you can go and explore or try nymphing on the rest of the property or go upriver. I recommend coming back in the afternoon as the fish become active again.
Some may not know this, but you can get an afternoon pass to the Douglaston Salmon Run for around the price of a fancy pizza. The afternoon pass is a cheap way to try it out during the Steelhead season.
On the Douglaston, there are lots of swingers that come to swing for Steelhead. One thing that swingers know is that swinging for Steelhead is not a numbers game. Â
@GuideWayneO, another guide on the river, was fishing on his day off for 1.5 hours reported “each of us had one bite on darker colored flies. Black and silver and black and blue.” He advised to swingers, “put in the time and make the bites you get, count.”
Town – Pulaski
Since November, the fishing for Steelhead from Black Hole to Ball Park has been pretty dismal except for the Long Bridge. But this past week, I received more positive reports. The previous week’s water fluctuations may have moved fished around, including fresh fish into the river system. The sunny days and water clarity are pushing fish into centralized holes. Light line and small presentations that get you down quick are the keys in town.
Altmar
Water fluctuations, water clarity, and the sun are moving fish around. I received more positive reports from Pineville to 81 than in the previous month. Additionally received positive angler reports from Pineville to Trestles. Â
However, the reports from Trestles to Lower Fly Zone were pretty up and down. Usually, during the Steelhead season, this area is pretty consistent, but last week, there were slow days and only one good day where a couple of anglers characterized it as being “on fire.” This weekend it is going to be crowded due to the holiday and the weather. I recommend that you venture down below this area for some different waters and opportunities.
@ribeye26, a guide who hooked up 18 times between him and two others, recommends “adjustment to lighter fluorocarbon got things going for us. As always, blue egg sacks were the best with a couple of fish on chartreuse sacks.
![Sight Fishing Monster Trout in New Zealand [Full Film]](https://i0.wp.com/theflylords.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/maxresdefault-16.jpg?fit=696%2C392&ssl=1 "Sight Fishing Monster Trout in New Zealand [Full Film]")
