Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: ICA on November 10, 2012, 05:08:38 PM

Title: Steelhead season
Post by: ICA on November 10, 2012, 05:08:38 PM
Traditionally when do the Steelheads start coming into the Vedder/Chilliwack system?
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: EZ_Rolling on November 10, 2012, 05:13:01 PM
There are a few in now but not enough to target but a wonderful by-catch
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: Noahs Arc on November 10, 2012, 05:19:21 PM
There's probably a lucky dog out there whos hooked one already.
My steelhead season is just a continuation of salmon season but most guys start pouring in around 3rd week of December to Xmas
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: bigblue on November 10, 2012, 06:08:46 PM
Late December to early January, an average steelheader would have a reasonable chance to hook into one on the Vedder.
Before that, there are fish around but few in number and tough to catch.
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: SteelheadAdict on November 10, 2012, 07:20:19 PM
was out on the vedder today and cuaght a fatty smolt but my steel head is just basically the end of salmon season i have hooked steel head at the early-st is nov 20
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: ICA on November 10, 2012, 08:34:55 PM
Thanks fellas! This is going to be my first year Steelheading, and need all the help I can get regarding how to keep warm under those conditions. As far as etiquette and other things, I think I have read all your collective postings in the past to have picked up sufficient info which was extremely helpful. However if anyone feels led to give me some extra pointers, please do so as I am a very willing learner, and don't like to annoy others out of ignorance on my part. So thanks in advance guys.
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: EZ_Rolling on November 10, 2012, 09:00:35 PM
Dress warm and move around a lot steelhead do not come to you, they are quite aggressive so if you don't hook one after 3 really good drifts down each target area either change what's on the end of your line or move.

If you come to a run with fishers already there, approach them and see where they would like you to come in.
It is ok to go above someone but rarely is it cool to come in right below.

Pay attention to where the fish are being caught and try that spot next time it is open they tend to hold in regular locations.
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: crazypop on November 10, 2012, 09:37:09 PM
I think just getting out and watching what people do and where they hook up is the most important thing. Ask before entering a pool if you see anyone. And move! Good tips by EZ!
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: ICA on November 11, 2012, 08:03:43 AM
Sounds like very good advice fellas. Thanks again. Do you guys change down on your main line and leaders, hook sizes etc?
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: BigFisher on November 11, 2012, 08:50:01 AM
Steelhead season starts as soon as the high november waters start to receed, and the salmon rods thin out.
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: crazypop on November 11, 2012, 12:10:05 PM
Flurocarbon is your friend. You don't need to have 30lb test on at all. I use around 12/15with 8 /10leader.
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: Noahs Arc on November 11, 2012, 12:54:11 PM
Flurocarbon is your friend. You don't need to have 30lb test on at all. I use around 12/15with 8 /10leader.

X2
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: Bandit420 on November 11, 2012, 04:22:05 PM
Steelhead are not fussy fish as ppl think, they are willing biters. you just have to find them. Covering lots of water is important because there are not many of them.
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: ICA on November 11, 2012, 04:40:47 PM
In terms of bait/lure, is there any particular one that seems to appeal to them more? I realize of course that this again is dependent on personal choices, but wondering perhaps there is something one should start with and then go from there.
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: BigFisher on November 11, 2012, 04:48:52 PM
Steelhead are stupid, they will bite anything.
The more time you put in, the more fish youll get. Once you figure them out, your numbers go up quick.
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: EZ_Rolling on November 11, 2012, 05:53:40 PM
ICA

There are many good baits for steel, my personal favorites are roe bags/ roe , jigs, Colorado blade and pink worm.

Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: Humpy on November 11, 2012, 06:05:48 PM
A steelhead was caught on Nov.8 on roe by lickman road.
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: SteelheadAdict on November 11, 2012, 07:09:30 PM
STS got one i think in oct with pics to prove
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: Humpy on November 11, 2012, 08:22:29 PM
I didn't catch it, my friend did. He gave me a picture, ill try and find it.
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: DionJL on November 11, 2012, 08:57:01 PM
You heard it here! Steelhead in the Vedder, roe is the ticket. Head on over and try your luck.
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: Johnny Canuck on November 11, 2012, 09:36:41 PM
**BIG swing**

GOOOONNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG




 ::) ;D
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: Brian the fisherman on November 11, 2012, 11:31:02 PM
I start to find them regularly in dec all the way to may. and pink worm and jigs and roe are my favorite  baits to chuck, if you are a fly fisherman there are a lot of great steelhead flies.

Cover Tons of water is the key. This isn't coho season. the more water you cover the more fish you will get.
Really look into what type of water they hold in. its different than salmon. there are so many good spots on the vedder for steel. Boulder pockets and  in the seam of currents is my ticket.
Best of luck to you in the coming months. :D
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: bigblue on November 12, 2012, 07:23:45 AM
As mentioned above covering as much water -- likely to hold steelhead -- is key to success.
So best to use durable bait so you won't be waisting time and effort constantly re-baiting in cold weather.
My favourite is shrimp and egg (jensen) combo.
If using roe, best to wrap up in a bag, so they will last longer.
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: greyghost on November 12, 2012, 10:57:09 AM
 The battle starts as a fellow fisher pauses to see all the commotion. Fish jumps, jumps again, rips across the river and back. The angler watching the battle says nice Coho. I reply, yup its a beauty. The fish is slid to the shallow water as I tail it. Hook is removed, fish is revived then released. The angler watching over my shoulder says" Wow, you got that wild Coho on a pink worm!" I reply" yup, the late Coho like them from time to time." :D As for pics, nope, it was only a Coho.  :-X Tight lines gang! 8)
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: adriaticum on November 12, 2012, 04:00:41 PM
Ol' sea going rainbow trout came back home to spawn

(http://www.milojko.com/fishing/20121110.jpg)
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: bigblue on November 12, 2012, 05:08:58 PM
Ol' sea going rainbow trout came back home to spawn

Nice pic AD. Is that a summer run?
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: adriaticum on November 25, 2012, 10:46:17 PM
Yup
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: kalex60 on November 26, 2012, 10:48:55 AM
Flurocarbon is your friend. You don't need to have 30lb test on at all. I use around 12/15with 8 /10leader.
x3
Title: Re: Steelhead season
Post by: Stratocaster on November 26, 2012, 01:15:49 PM
Covering water is the key to steelhead fishing.  Sure you can plant yourself in a meathole and eventually get one but you may be competing with quite a few others doing the same thing.  Do the math.  If you are fishing a spot that holds 10 fish but has 20 guys fishing it, thats 1 to 2.  If you move around and cover more water and find a run that has only 1 or 2 but you are the only one fishing it, your odds are much better.  That said, don't be afraid to go back to a spot that you fished earlier as the fish do move around a bit and that spot that was previously empty may hold a fish in it.  Sometimes all it takes is for the sun to peek through the clouds and wham, the bites on again.  A change in lighting will get the fish to move to a different part of the run.  When they do that, they are much more apt to "bite" again.