From Winter to Spring: Getting ready for the Drop-Backs!

Steelhead that have survived the winter and some fishing pressure and are now nearing spawning time come March.  We do see spawning occurring in late February but significant spawning usually starts in mid-March and continues through April (always based on weather and water temperatures). After spawning, the fish begin to drop-back downstream to Lake Ontario. Spawning takes a lot of energy and a spawned-out Steelhead can lose up to one-third of its weight or more.  Not all survive!  They are easily identifiable as Drop-Backs!  These are skinny fish and some appear to be beat up.  The survivors are hungry fish and, as water temps are rising, their metabolism increases rapidly.  These “drop-back” fish begin to feed heavily and can provide excellent fishing on into mid-May and, in some years, later.  These are “hot” and aggressive fish that are on the feed and will move to a fly! OK, we have spring spawning fish plus there are still fresh Steelhead running out of the lake and into the River to spawn. These late run fish are triggered by raising water levels and temps.  Late-run Steelhead are often looking for the first gravel they can find to spawn and this often happens at the DSR. These changing water conditions also energize Drop-Backs and warmer air temps energize fishermen!!!  Check Douglaston Salmon Run (DSR) website for up to date water levels and the DSR fishing report is a good indication of what’s going on throughout Salmon River. Remember, water levels are crucial!!!  As a guide I will cancel and reschedule a trip rather than have guests drive here when the River is unfishable AND unsafe. Winter of 2014/2015 was a tough winter and the snow pack on the Tug Hill Plateau was deeper than the year previous.  Last year, there was 26 feet of snow on the Tug but, we had 2 or 3 significant thaws and high water conditions (1100 – 1500 cfs) all last winter and well into spring.  So pay attention to water levels and overall weather conditions.  This spring we have a good chance of being flooded out if we have an abrupt thaw. High water makes “safety” a primary concern!  Often when Salmon River is unfishable we are still able to fish the smaller tribs; N. & S. Sandy, etc. Zero Limit Adventures Team has considerable experience on these secondary tribs to help anglers still have success for steelhead during times the Salmon River is blown out.  A couple of things to remember, Salmon River seldom gets muddy and the higher the water the closer to shore is where you will find fish. As said before these fish are hungry and aggressive.  Number One tip is “go big, go visible”.  I seldom take a large (#4) Wooly Bugger off.  I also fish an Articulated Bugger.  Any color that you have confidence in will work.  The second option is a large weighted Stonefly, Kaufmann #4.  As is generally the case on Salmon River, the presentation is often more important than the fly pattern!!! Mike likes the “Oakland Raider” Bugger, silver and black.  I have great confidence in white, always with a contrasting color in the pattern.  For clear water with sunshine I use some red and dark days with some color to the river, chartreuse.  I generally dead drift the bugger and let it swing at the end of the drift.  Hits often come at the end of the dead drift as the bugger jumps off the bottom and fish will definitely hit on the swing. As the water warms standard swinging techniques are high percentage as you are covering lots of water presenting to aggressive fish that will move a significant distance for the fly! With colder water, look for soft seams and deeper holding area.  As the water warms the fish can be anywhere, but as temps approach 60 degrees, look for fast pocket water.  Broken water provides more oxygen and cover.  We have caught Steelhead well into May in the faster water when others have said that there were no longer any in the river. Also don’t hesitate to try a large, weighted Stonefly when fishing heavy water. One final tip for when water temps exceed 50 degrees.  Salmon River is full of crawdads, probably as a result of the numerous pacific salmon carcasses.  They become active as the water warms.  A weighted Olive Wooly Bugger (#4 – #10) is an excellent pattern for both Steelheads and Land Locks.