Steelhead in Clear Water Conditions

[Mark Hanes]

I figured this one might be interesting and I know I could use some help here.  I Can't always make it out in perfect water conditions which would be ideal. What do you guys recommend for low water conditions as far as leaders and maybe even flies.   I am talking conditions when you can see the steelhead holding in small streams.  I am guessing lighter tippets but I am just not sure I care to go to light. I perfer to land fish as quickly as I can in-order to release them unharmed.

[Rashed Abdullah]

FFPA,

In crystal clear water, I believe that if you go down to 4x fluro you should be ok. I have fished down to 5x fluro but had a very, very hard time to land them.  the most important thing to remember in crystal clear water is your approach. Fish that are even slight spooked will get lock jaw even with 6x tippet. I believe that if you approach carefully and present your fly properly, it should not matter that much between 4x and 5x tippet.  

As for flies, I like sparsely tied flies, they seem to have more life to them in skinny water. Plus a sparsely tied fly sinks faster thereby needing less weight to get down to the zone.

R

[Dejon Hamann]

I personally don't spend much time stalking Steelies in slim clear water these days.  It's really not a natural state for them and they are either on a hard transition or near spawning beds.  But I know we are all not graced with having some big systems in our backyard.

Just remember, Steelhead are basically big rather uneducated Trout.  Treat them as such.  I've found down stream techniques utilizing streamers and softhackles can be effective for approaching and fairly hooking these fish.  Also, don't be afraid to try a long leader "dry/dropper" type setup. Just like the spooky inland trout - approach and presentation is often more important than fly selection.

[Mark Hanes]

Thanks guys.  In a lot of the PA Tribs the water is clear and it is almost like fishing for trout in a bathtub.  Not sure if it will be my cup of tea when you add in that there are 10 of your not so close friends within 30 feet of you.  It is much different than what I encountered in Western NY.  We will see I am sure I will be able to figure it all out.   I am no longer intimidated by how they fight after landing a few and that was my biggest hurdle. 

[Mike Nutto]

fifteen foot leader ,and a large  hares ear wet ,if the water is low cast to the side of them !let it roll in front of them ,stick it in their nose and annoy them .i also like the purple pearl for this kind of fishing size six also if the caddis  are hatching try a caddis pattern on a 1x hook they hit them .low water can be a pain ,you cant let them see you that is for sure in low water they are super spooky then because they are very vulnerable then .

[Jim Frazier]

caddis hatch on the pa tribs in late november ......mmmm i dunno

[Mark Ferringer]

Hanes, are you talking about how the other fisherman fight, or the fish?   

[Mark Hanes]

In PA it is the fisherman that put up the bigger fight sometimes.  Erie is just always a zoo when i go up.

[Jim Frazier]

in erie like many other spots , if you catch a fish or just even hook up immediately the other fisherman within eye sight think that the fish infront of you are the only hungry ones in the stream so they wade 300 yards DOWN stream and when they approcah they say " bad year class of steel this year , i haven't seen hardly any fish this yr at all " then they cast right beside you or over top of you , its a freakin riot , i think i need to learn russian too for this yrs trips they seem to get a kick out of trying to keep you out of the conversation ...lol