Fall Steelheadin`

This is where it's all going on. One can ask for advice or general information or simply chew the fat about fishing tackle, tips, and locations.
Post Reply
User avatar
GetTheNet!!!
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 674
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2005 12:39 pm
Location: Peterborough, ON

Fall Steelheadin`

Post by GetTheNet!!! »

So since leaving Eastern Ontario and heading for Peterborough (705 represent!) I've been working at diversifying my angling portfolio. Two years ago I started trying my hand at float fishing in the local Lake Ontario tributaries. Luckily I've got a buddy here who is a passionate fly-angler so it's never a hard sell getting him down to trash the water a little bit. Fall is my favorite time of year for this style of fishing, the odd chinook or coho is still in the system along with the occasional brown trout. But it's as the steelhead start moving back in that the action really gets going.

Float fishing has a fairly steep learning curve, it's unlike any other style of fishing and you quickly find out that attention to very subtle details in your equipment, presentation and how you read the water will dramatically impact the number of opportunities you'll get in a day. Down-sizing baits, line and floats are all key to success, especially this time of year when water is low and clear.

The water here is pretty heavily pressured with fish seeing quite a few baits during their time in the stream. Often the fish are skittish and hesitant to strike, especially if you use baits that other anglers are throwing (Roe-bags primarily). Taking a stroll down the fishing aisle and picking out small baits that many anglers overlook is a great way to start increasing success. Plastic worms, nymphs and micro-tubes are all good options for heavily pressured fish that are used to seeing roe-bags all day long.

Here's a couple shots from the past couple weeks to pad the report. Enjoy.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Matt
Last edited by GetTheNet!!! on Sun Nov 28, 2010 3:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
riverdog
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 628
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 9:25 am
Location: Prescott Ont.
Contact:

Post by riverdog »

Some awesome fish right there! I hope to target some through the ice this winter!
User avatar
baz fish
Diamond Participant
Diamond Participant
Posts: 2251
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2004 7:26 pm
Location: Moose Creek

Post by baz fish »

Nice fish guys :) .
User avatar
JustinHoffman
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 849
Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2002 11:32 am
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Post by JustinHoffman »

Love that first shot, Matt! Great image... :lol:

Thanks for sharing this - brings back some great memories of when I lived in Whitby and fished Wilmot, Duffins, Bowmanville and the Oshawa creek. Had a blast back in the day...
Not as many opportunities up here in Ottawa now.. :cry:

Looks like you had some fun adventures..

Good Fishing,

Justin
Justin Hoffman
Field Editor - Ontario Out of Doors Magazine
Fishing Writer / Wildlife Photographer
www.JustinHoffmanOutdoors.com
User avatar
DropShotr
Gold Participant
Gold Participant
Posts: 1716
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:06 am
Location: At home....waiting for bass season.

Post by DropShotr »

Well done Matt!!!

Those are some beutiful steelies and a bonus king.

Brings back memories of Ontario tribs on the NY side

Thanks for the report and pics.

Drop
Excessive compulsive dropshot fisherman
User avatar
ratsotail
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 642
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:45 pm
Location: Columbia, Illinois

Post by ratsotail »

Great collection of photos and memories, Matt! Thanks for sharing the experience and tips you've learned the past two years.

Tight Lines

ratsotail
User avatar
Mike P
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 606
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:42 pm
Location: where the fish are

Post by Mike P »

Those are some nice looking bow`s Matt.
User avatar
Dore
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 777
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:01 pm
Location: Cantley, Qc

Post by Dore »

Nice looking fish !
|Dore|
User avatar
scuro
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 755
Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2004 10:49 pm
Location: Ontario
Contact:

Post by scuro »

Nice bows, you did well!
RJ
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 8445
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 9:18 pm
Location: Prospect, Ontario

Post by RJ »

Well done Matt.....some great Steel there fella!

RJ
User avatar
S.M.05
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 558
Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2005 10:42 pm
Location: Nomad

Re: Fall Steelheadin`

Post by S.M.05 »

Lots nice crome,
and killer pics.

Awesome color on this one.
Image
The sweet is not as sweet without the bitter!
User avatar
Maple
Bronze Participant
Bronze Participant
Posts: 287
Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:19 am
Location: Ottawa / PEI

Post by Maple »

That's a dandy bunch of fish there boys!!

Congrats on reaching the apex of the learning curve, although, there's always more.

Maple
User avatar
fatluke
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 1507
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 1:54 pm
Location: Quinte Country

Post by fatluke »

Great report Matt.

Love seeing these types of reports that we rarely see here.
MEAT - Grind it, stuff it, smoke it.
User avatar
Tip-up
Diamond Participant
Diamond Participant
Posts: 5247
Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2004 9:25 pm
Location: Orleans, Ontario

Post by Tip-up »

Great post Matt, some beautiful fish posted!!

Shoot me a message when you'll be in Ottawa this winter :)
User avatar
lapointeric
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 881
Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:23 pm

Post by lapointeric »

Absolutely beautiful fish. Well done.

E
Post Reply