If you visit some of the steelhead sites online, most of them are saying the steelies have made their trips up to spawn, have done their business and made it back out to the lake…but I beg to differ. This 30 inch fish was our biggest of the day and was pushing 12 pounds. Read on to find out how we caught them.
My brother Ben and I made it up to the North Shore for a day of steelhead fishing and it was well worth the trip. We focused our efforts on three rivers, two very well known streams (The Brule and The Knife) and one long shot which is my new favorite place in the world. Many steelhead fisherman are using spawn sacks and larger flies this time of year, but we opted to use some of our western trout stream knowledge for these post spawn bruisers. Prior to the major spawning event, these steelhead are aggresive, fresh from the lake and willing to chase things. A larger fly like an egg sucking leech "on the swing" through deeper rifles and tailouts will take fish in this scenario. We found that today, smaller eggs (single artificial fly patterns), San Juan Worms, and black mayfly nymphs (size 16) fished either on the wink, a tight line, or nymphed with an indicator did the trick. This beautful 20 incher took a red San Juan Worm in a deep hole right below me.
Our less known stream was a crap shoot for us. Neither of us had fished it, but our morning was slowing down and we were up for some exploring. Low flows, and gin clear water was not a good sign when we got out of the truck. But as we waded upstream from the lake, it didn’t take long to spot a couple of beauties hanging out in deep boulder runs and hook up with this nice 22 incher. This little river is a testimony to trying new things and new places and putting in your time. Most days, you chalk it up to experience and file it away in the card catalog of fishing, but today we hit the jack pot! Between the 3 streams we landed about 12 steelies and hooked up with 16.
Most people say steelhead aren’t particular when it comes to lines and tippet but today it made the difference between fish on and a walk in the woods. I started with a leader that was cut down to about 7 feet and 12-14lb test and fish were sidestepping my presentation. After a quick switch to 3x and then 4x flourocarbon on my dropper fly, it was instant hook ups. All in all, it was a day to remember! One of those days that will motivate you through slumps, rain, sleet, snow, wind, and long streaks of no fish. The steelhead run is just about over, but for those who pay attention to detail and are willing to play hide and seek looking for fish, there were still a few willing to come out and play. Next year, we’ll get the timing down and I anticipate many more big fish like this 25 incher which stands to be the biggest trout I have caught and released to date.
Great report and those are some sweet pictures.
Sounds like a blast
Cool report. Keep it up guys.
Good report. I’ve got to get up there and try that fishing!!!
Dan
Awesome report Micah!
I always thought Steelies spawned in the fall!
You learn something new every day!
That first fish is a beauty!!!!
We used to chase the Loopers around up there in the spring. Boy, I sure miss that!
steelhead are an interesting group of fish. some spawn in the fall, and some spawn in the spring from what I understand. For example, in the Brule, there is a big push up the river in the fall, and then they hold over till spring where there is another push, they spawn and head back out. On the north shore of MN, most of them push up into the rivers in the spring after heavy rains and warm weather melts snow, they spawn and head back out. They are pretty cool. What I really want to to do is tie into one of those monsters that is fresh out of the lake and not all tired from spawning. That would be a trip.
If you like steelhead, you should make a trip to Washington or Oregon. They have spring, summer, fall, and winter runs out there depending on the stream. I have a buddy that lives in Portland who would be happy to take you around if you ever get out that way. Nothing more fun than tying into a 16 to 20 pound native steelhead in heavy current and watching them jump 20 times before they decide to kick your
and quit playing around. Everybody should get to experience that one time. 
Thanks for the info guys!
to the steelhead. 
I have had steelies caught off the French that were dead by the time they came into shore from fighting so hard. They are an amazing fish! I would say pound for pound the toughest fresh water fish swimming. Smallies would
Nice report and nice fish!
Excellent report and beautiful fish.
Very Nice hearing reporats from the North Shore. Was over thee some time ago and remember looking over the edge to see a fish somewhere in the 30″ range. Great area to fish, congrats on a great day of fishing.
I have fished the Big Manistee and Muskeagon in Michigan for the last 15 years…hitting the Steelheads in the spring and salmon in the fall. They are like hooking into a freight train. They will wear you out…amazing. I have heard about the run up north, but never really hear much. Thanks for the report guys…looks like you had a blast!!!
PS…only 6 days left till the opener…
stock doctor, i was online last night looking at reports from the muskegon and then tried to figure out a way to take a road trip up there this next fall with my brother. I think i might be able to make it work at some point. What is the best month/weeks to be up there for the fall run?