When I got to the river yesterday I was surprised to find a few other anglers braving the cold. The snow and ice keep the fair weather fans at home. Only hardcore anglers brave the elements for the chance of catching winter steel. The hook ups are few and you have to work for them, the fish are lethargic from the ice cold water, but a winter fish makes it all worth it. Landing a steelhead when other guys are sitting at home tying flies and talking nonsense on the message boards is a rewarding feeling. For me, I missed the best fishing of the fall because of school. I have to get out and try for one more fish at every available opportunity; I need to scratch the itch. It was a balmy 30 degrees yesterday so there was minimal slush in the water which made it possible to get a decent drift. I fished all types of water and only had one hook up in a slow deep run near a downed tree. The fish was on and off in a moment, but the brief tug on the end of the line made the day even if I didn’t land that fish. I spoke to two other anglers who had no luck at all. As I was leaving, I took this picture of a lone angler fishing a deep pool at a bend in the river. Now that is what winter steelheading is all about.
