Maumee River Report–23 March 2017 : Time To Target Steelhead Spinning or Fly Fishing

LEVEL-580.5

TEMP- 38 degrees

Barometer: 30.52  inHg and falling

Wading to Bluegrass Island is possible

Clarity-10 inches

Sunrise : 7:33 AM (First cast)

Sunset: 7:49 PM (Last cast)

Yesterday we saw a couple walleye caught at various areas- Ft meigs-Davis overlook and jerome rd rapids were the best spots of the day.

All fishing areas are accessible today .

Weight:  1/2 oz  -5/8 oz

Leader: 3-4 ft

Colors:   Try some brighter colors today to start with Pink head /Pink sparkle tail  – Black head /Green sparkle tail  – Orange head/ Yellow fire tigertail. – White head / Xmas lights tail

Target Steelhead: -Just a few tipsa we are seeing more and more caught in the Maumee -stop in or give us a call for more detail,we have a complete flyshop  as well 

Steelhead, the big bruiser rainbow trout that summer in Lake Erie and migrate into the tributaries(Maumee River and Swan Creek for example) once they cool to troutlike temperatures, are ganging up offshore and feeding heavily. Steelhead are just giant rainbow trout. These rainbows are migrating trout – meaning that they spawn in freshwater rivers and streams, move out into the Lake  to forage and grow, and then return freshwater rivers to spawn. Unlike salmon, trout do not die after breeding but return to their spawning grounds year after year .Walleye anglers are reporting steelhead action on their trolled baits out on the lake and we are seeing an increased number here in the river as the water is cold and relatively clear. While walleye are excellent table fare, they are not known as acrobats, so when the line starts to rise to the surface and that bait is slammed there is a good chance its a steelie in the other end. 

The rule is this: If the water temperature is below 40°F,  steelhead trout hold at the bottom of deep pools. If the water is 40°F or above, the fish move into faster, shallower riffles to stage for the upcoming spawn. SPINNING RODS: A good 7 to 9 foot, medium-action rod with a sensitive tip will handle the meanest of fish and has enough length and sensitivity to manipulate drifting line and lure/baits.
SPINNING LINE: Fluorocarbon is invisible in the water, which is important for not alarming the excellent vision of steelhead. Don’t exceed 8 to 10-lb. test for larger waters with bigger fish in the 8 – 12 lb. range. In small streams with average fish of 5 – 7 lbs., the line should be reduced to 8 or even 6-lb. test. Small, single-tail grubs in white or black can be very effective as a generic baitfish imitation. A popular and highly effective setup is a black or brown hair jig tipped with two or three waxworms. Among the best is small Jig with black hair and a bright red head. Minnows work well, but hook them properly. Run the hook through the lower lip and out of the upper lip, allowing the minnow to swim in the water. Threading it through the body of the baitfish will kill it, and not appeal to any trout.  As with all drift systems, we will need to apply weight in order to get our presentation down to the fish. The amount of weight required will depend upon depth of water and rate of flow. Start with 1/4 once split shot, then add or subtract weight as needed to keep the fly, spawn or minnow in the feeding zone near the bottom. We want to maintain the all important tic-tic-tic as the bait bounces along the bottom. Watching experienced Drift method fishermen, you will notice they are continually making adjustments to the float and weight to achieve and maintain the tic-tic-tic.

Today

Increasing clouds, with a high near 45. Light southeast wind increasing to 8 to 13 mph in the morning.