Steelhead

Part V and the final part of recycling website material for the blog we are going to chat a bit about fishing for steelhead on the peninsula.

Steelhead are considered the gentleman’s fish. A fish of a thousands casts, these fish boast big time power and athletic ability. A true sportfish. Typically not a trip for the casual angler. Expectations are never high on a steelhead trip and some folks are not okay with that. Run timing is everything. Each year can be a bit different. If timed right, the steelhead fishing on the peninsula can be incredible. Typically, we start to take clients on the upper Kasilof river for steelhead right around the first week of September. The run gets stronger as the month goes on but catching it early can be pretty amazing. These trips are fly fishing only and we practice catch and release with all wild steelhead. We cater to both spey fishing or indicator fishing. Both techniques work very well. The upper Kasilof is a very peaceful and beautiful float. I would describe the river as very pleasurable to fish. Easy wading, gorgeous runs to swing. The fish can be anywhere from 5 to 20 pounds and larger. With the Kasilof river being the shorter of the two rivers, these fish stay pretty hot and energetic throughout the system. Nothing like a big broad side smash from a sea-liced steelhead! The Kasilof is big enough for a full length spey rod and fits best with a 10’ 7wt if you are bead fishing. There are some smaller streams to walk/wade for steelhead around the peninsula where a single hand spey would be appropriate as well. Temps can tend to drop during steelhead season so bringing the proper layers is crucial for your visit. All of the fishing will be out of the boat so its best to come prepared with plenty of warm gear for this trip. Are you tough enough to take on some Alaskan steelhead. Feel free to give us a shout and we would love to help you find out!

Indiana fly fishing report 2/14/2021

Sometimes all it takes is one…..

Its been awhile since my last report. Unfavorable water conditions, a damn removal, weather and covid have basically all but shut down my winter season. Folks that were scheduled to fish with me already know this, but the Dowagiac river is closed indefinitely until potentially the summer. Michigan DNR stated that the river will remain closed during the damn removal for liability issues. That is all I know. The parking lot at the put in (damn) is closed with no entry permitted. As a guide here in the winter months, I am only set up for drift boat trips on the Dowagiac. At this time, I am not offering another alternative boat trip until I return from Alaska next fall. My deepest apologies to folks looking to get out on a drift boat for some steelhead. Beyond the Dowagiac river closure, Trail creek as has not been fishing good all winter. The fall rains and higher flows we usually anticipate for the late fall and winter never came. The water remains low and slow with a severe lack of steelhead. Now, with this cold snap, most of the creeks are iced over. I was getting out on an occasional walk and wade trip, scratching out a fish here and there with clients. It eventually became slower and the unfavorable weather hit making it very difficult for even the every day anglers out there. I always pride myself in being honest with folks who are looking to tag their first steelhead. Right now its tough. We are hoping for a nice spring and for plenty of fish to finally show up. Until then, tie some flies and get some gear cleaned and organized. I wish I had some better news to report. Fingers crossed the coming weeks will turn some things around. Until next time.

Northwest Indiana fly fishing report 11/14/19

Ahh yes steelhead season is here. They is in. And with impeccable timing as the area is dealing with January weather in November. I love fishing steelhead in the snow and cold temps, but not in November. Either way the time is upon us. One can choose to deal with the cold or sit at home and scroll through pictures of other people catching steelhead.

The Indiana tribs (salt, cal, and trail) had some fish show up. I was on Trail creek yesterday with the girlfriend for a few hours and hooked one on a 8mm bead. Water seems a bit low in areas so fishing the obvious deeper stuff should produce. These fish will sit deep as they can and tight to wood. Don’t be afraid to fish the timber. Yeah you are gonna lose rigs but that’s part of it. As always, make sure to explore different and unpopular spots, while respecting the rules and private property of course. The stuff that doesn’t get fished as hard can sometimes lead to epic days. People are lazy in general and don’t always want to hoof it through the woods to find fish. Explore a little, leave the 20 access alone. You might find something you weren't expecting.

I fished the Dowagiac river this past Saturday for a half day and an angler on my boat managed to hook one steelhead and a bunch of leaves. The fish was taken on a smaller black and blue leech swung through a deeper run. There are some fish around but I feel like the “D” is expecting plenty more before its all said and done. Fish seem scattered about but there are opportunities to be had. As the days go on fishing will be getting better and better. Especially with the amount of fish on the St. Joe at the moment.

Next week we will have a brief warm up so If you want to get out and fish please let me know. I have two days open next week. Come feel the steel. I’m probably gonna copyright that slogan. And make T-shirts. Then get rich. Then just fun fish all the time……. Word.

The Region's fly fishing report 11/1/19 - Winter is coming

Winter is coming. As a matter of fact, It think it’s already here. Water is on the drop. Da fishing should be pretty darn good throughout the area for the next few weeks if you’re a steelhead angler.

That being said, I’ll probably still be throwing the biggest flies I have and watching pike chase it down only to swing and miss right at the boat for the next few weeks still. Until I have my fill of that, which might not ever happen, I will probably put the steelhead fishing on the shelf for the weekend unless someone wants to book a trip. Which I would then try really hard to explain how much cooler it is getting refused by big pike all day, and that pike fishing would be a muuuuuch better option. I’m about to get reeeeeal dialed in though, I can feel it.

Much more detailed report coming on Monday. Until then, stop being lazy and googling fishing reports and go find out for yourself. P.S. I did hear that Joe Schmoe said his second cousin’s sister’s brother caught 48 steelhead last night out of Trail Creek. All on a completely bare size 2 gamagatzu octopus hook with a half ounce split shot just above it.

Word…

Back in Indiana! Local fly fishing report 10/30/19

A year and a half up in Alaska and I’ve finally found my way back to NWI. Two extremely busy guide seasons and almost 10,000 miles of driving and here we are. Feels good to be surrounded by friends, family, and familiar waters again. That being said, let’s talk about the current fly fishing options here.

Trail Creek Steelhead, Michigan City IN

Heavy rains and lack of fish at the moment are making trail creek an unfriendly place for fly anglers. I would suspect that once the rains subside and the water levels start to drop there will be a good amount of fish in the system. Now that the salmon are basically gone, its about to be prime time for steelhead anglers. 8mm beads under an indicator fished near the bottom will be the ticket. Also, don’t be afraid to try nymphs and even smaller leeches dead drifted. Winter is my favorite season on Trail Creek. Lots of big shouldered fish winter over each year. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for this nasty spell of weather to disappear quickly.

Dowagiac River Steelhead, Niles MI

Still a few kings and coho around. Steelhead are making their way on up slowly. Should only be getter better as the weeks go on. Recent rains have the water up again but it should drop quickly once the rains stop. 8mm-10mm beads are tough to beat if you just wanna put one in the boat. The swing game should be picking up soon as the steelhead start to find their winter lies. Coppers, blacks, blues, and purples should be utilized when swinging. Don’t go sparse on the flash. Let ‘em see it.

Other Info

As we wait for the weather and steelhead to cooperate, there are plenty of fly fishing opportunities still to have. Lake trout fishing in the creeks and harbors has been decent when the weather cooperates. Sinking lines and large flies fished near the bottom is a blast if you’ve never tried. Bass fishing and pike fishing has been good with most fish steadily feeding and eating flies. Make sure you get out and enjoy the beauty of fall before winter shows up. I have dates available and would love to get you out on the water. Tight Lines.

Thats a funny looking pike