Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023 - 15

overcomes the negative impact of high water. During
high water events, stick to the slower tailouts of
pools and little breaks in current in riffles. The fish
have to fight harder against the current, so once they
reach a pool, they'll rest for a bit before continuing
their upstream charge. Slower pools also give anglers
a chance to achieve better drifts, which is always
helpful. The same principle applies with riffle
sections. Fish will take a breather anywhere they can
when the water is high, so even the slightest pause in
current can be enough to hold a fish or two.
Low water
Veteran anglers of Erie streams are well
acquainted with periods of low water. Even a week
without rain or snow melt can drop the tributaries
down to low levels and make fishing difficult. The
act of finding fish during these times usually isn't
hard, but finding the " right " fish can be challenging.
The right fish is one that willingly feeds and isn't
totally distressed due to water conditions. This
means getting close and personal with logjams and
undercut banks, the deepest pools you can find, or
slot trenches within riffles. Even an extra foot or two
of depth may give steelhead the security to actively
feed. Anywhere you find enough depth and cover
from above, you'll find steelhead. Fishing is best
before the sun gets high.
Seasonal changes
The first steelhead start showing up in late August
and may hang around through April. We're blessed to
experience such a fishery, but the constant change of
seasons makes it difficult to continuously find fish. During
the early part of the season, focus efforts on the sections
of streams closest to the lake. Fish will come in for a brief
time, realize it may be too early, then head back out to
the big water all in a matter of a few days. While a few
make it a good way upstream, the bulk of fish will be in
the lower reaches of streams. Springtime fishing calls for
a similar approach. Once the fish start leaving the streams
and heading back to the lake, upper reaches become more
devoid of fish, and the lowest sections hold fish longer.
In the middle of those two seasons is winter-a time
when fish are spread out. However, once ice becomes a
factor, anglers should walk as much as they can in search
of open water. Slow water freezes first, so a great tactic is
hiking the stream while looking for open riffles that hold
depth. Find those spots, and you'll find fish.
There's no question tangling with a steelhead is on
the bucket list of just about every angler. It's as fun as
advertised, but knowing when and where to find fish
improves success rates and creates more enjoyable
outings. That starts with understanding seasonal changes
and identifying stream conditions that will be at play
during your trip. Utilizing these tips to find steelhead will
lead to more fish in the net and happy anglers.
Understanding seasonal changes and identifying stream conditions improves success rates and creates more enjoyable outings.
November/December 2023
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023

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