Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2021 - 7

Pennsylvania anglers. At
30.4 miles in length, Elk
Creek has the distinction
of being Pennsylvania's
longest steelhead stream.
As with most fishing,
timing is everything and
a steelhead trip to Elk
Creek is no different. For
the crew that I fish with
frequently, that means
watching for a three-day
window when the
weather may be warming
or is at least stable. It also
means checking local
stream conditions online
to make sure that the
stretches of Elk Creek
we want to target are not
locked in ice and that the
water is not too high for
safe wading.
For spin fishing, 8- to 9-foot noodle-style spinning
Despite the snow and ice, winter steelhead fishing can be productive.
For fly fishing, mop flies are difficult to beat some
rods with appropriately-sized reels spooled in 6- to
8-pound-test line are ideal. Great baits include freshly
tied egg sacs, single salmon eggs, live minnows, and
small jigs in both bright and natural colors. Hot colors
for egg sac netting are usually bright pink and orange.
Wax worms may also be deadly when presented with a
natural drift on small hooks.
days. Glo Bugs, San Juan Worms, and most other egg
patterns may be effective as well, and I have seen more
than one angler catch steelhead on nymph patterns as well
as streamers.
Look for small schools of fish to be holding at the head
and tails of most pools in the winter. By December and
January, steelhead are well dispersed throughout the creek
and often will be holding near the bottom. A good pair
of polarized sunglasses may help an angler pick
fish out. Experiment with weight on the line
until you figure out the drift that makes the
fish react. There are often feeding windows that
occur. Sometimes, the fish will turn on and just
as quickly shut down. Our group has found that
there is usually a feeding window between first
light and 9:00 a.m., one in the early afternoon,
and then another one about one hour before dark.
A few tips for winter steelhead fishing on Elk
Creek include dressing in several warm layers,
packing plenty of snacks, as you will be burning
through many calories in the cold, and bringing
along a thermos of something warm to drink. A
large landing net is a big help as steelhead in Elk
Creek average between 3 and 8 pounds. I usually
pack extra gloves, because I will get at least one
pair soaked.
Additional information about Elk Creek
and maps of access points are found at:
www.fishandboat.com/Locate/Pages/
MapResources.aspx.
Visiting Elk Creek in the winter may mean
Henry Robinson with a nice winter steelhead.
www.fishandboat.com
facing cold temperatures. However, for anglers
willing to endure the cold, the steelhead fishing
is often red hot.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * November/December 2021
7

http://www.fishandboat.com/Locate/Pages/mapresources.aspx http://www.fishandboat.com/Locate/Pages/mapresources.aspx http://www.fishandboat.com http://www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2021