Fall steelhead are one of the most exciting runs of Steelhead we get here in Michigan, extreme speed and power with incredible displays of Acrobatics makes them a high priority when the time comes. The tactics used to target them are the same, float fishing and back bouncing being the most effective, Where they are found compared to other steelhead during other parts of the year are different.
A common mistake people make when targeting fall steelhead is fishing them the same way they do in the winter or spring. These fish are here to do one thing, eat. Their main food source in the river at this time is salmon eggs so a great place to look for fall steelhead is behind spawning kings. However, depending on your fishery there might not be a lot of water available throughout the river to fish this way. Add in some other boats on the water and that idea could be gone in a hurry. So if you cant fish right behind the kings follow the eggs.
Look for places where fish would be sitting to eat and pick up eggs as they get blown down the river. In the winter a lot of my fish are found in the tail out and slower parts of the runs. In the fall it's the exact opposite, I find most of my fish in the head of the runs and you might be surprised where some of these fish are found. My general rule, if it looks fishy, fish it. There are two approaches to take when it comes to covering water. You can sit in one spot where the fish typically move through and pick them up as they push or you can go searching and cover a lot of water and go to them. Each one of these has it’s time and place and will be more effective on certain days. After you find some fish, now it’s time to get them to eat.
My fall bead choices are very similar to my spring choices. I run a variety of live and dead eggs presentations, if it works good in the spring on your river, it will probably work well in the fall as well. Don’t be afraid to change colors and experiment and try different colors. If double bead rigs are legal on your river that is a great way to try new beads, one bead you are confident in and one experimental. Or one live egg and one dead, which is my personal choice in the fall. Spawn bags tied with king eggs is another great option to use.
Don’t over complicate fall steelhead fishing, find the food source and follow it. Fish live egg and and dead egg beads and don’t be afraid to branch out and try different spots and presentations. Cover water, and when you catch fish, analyze the spot and ask yourself” why were they here?" Note the type of water they were sitting the depth and what part of the run. The more pieces of the puzzle you have the easier it gets.
John Wielinga
269-277-9293
steelhead fishing, steelhead, fall steelhead, how to catch steelhead, steelhead guide, steelhead charter.
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