The Pitfalls of Planning a Winter Steelhead Trip

After hearing about the recent near perfect conditions on the Elk River PA, it dawned on me how much I was itching for a good old fashioned fishing trip. Not just sneaking in an hour before sun down, but a block of days dedicated to fly fishing. Flogging the water tirelessly, exhausting every trick you know, and even trying some you don't. Had it really been over four months since I had done such a thing? What a travesty. After checking on flights, hotel rates etc. sneaking out for three full days seemed entirely possible. The thought of hitting some new water, and leaving the phones and computer was an unrealized dream come true.

For those of you who avoid the winter steelhead season, the one nice thing about it is lack of crowds, generally. I know several Erie steelheaders who swear if they aren't at their favorite fishing hole before sun up forget about it, but Elk Creek does lack a real close metro area, and January can be less pressured then other times. Not that there won't be some fishermen, but spur of the moment trips generally offer space to fish. Especially if you are patient, and can go during the week. See our earlier post on Avoid Fly Fishing Crowds.

Anyway prices and schedule looked favorable, and the conditions sounded too good to be true. With most people experiencing multiple hook ups on Sucker Spawns, Glo Bugs, or a combo set up with some Buggers. While Erie Steelhead lack some of the size West Coast Natives have they make up for it in sheer availability, and fighting some feisty Chromers sounded like just the ticket for the beginning of post holiday cabin fever I feel trying to set in. All day Sunday I thought about it. We are four hours drive from good winter steelheading and still a few weeks early. I could go fish some foreign waters, and freshen up the old skills. I had the gear, the time and it was within the budget.

But alas there is one thing to always consider before heading out this time of year. Good old Mother Nature. A good storm can ruin the perfect water I had been hearing about. Let's just check, the first days looked great highs only in the low thirties but you can't have everything, no precipitation. The next day only eighteen, and then eleven!! I am just not that dedicated or frankly prepared, knocking ice out of the guides is just not my favorite things to do. I draw the line somewhere around twenty six degrees. So scratch that. Funk set in, trout are right out the back door, but there is nothing quite like a good steelie trip in the winter, it is a winter rite for some.

Then I thought let's check locally. What is this? Sunny and fifty on the coast on Friday! Now that sounds like something one could get excited about. It is a bit early, but that is one way to avoid the pressure, the rainfall was good last week, and the rivers are falling.

Once in a while the stars align for the winter steelheader, and you would have to be foolish to ignore them. Drop the responsibilities for a day or two and revel in the chance to chase these beasts of the winter. Just do your diligent planning and preparation. And don't forget the coffee.