It's been a while since my last post. Steelhead fishing through the fall has been very good, most of the time. Had a hand-full of days when I was pulling my hair out but those days build character they tell me. The water levels have been acceptable with a few weeks when it was perfect. As I type this the gauge at Pineville bridge reads 560cfs. Last evening into early this morning we picked up about 18" of snow here on the river. This past weekend, 12/22-23, we picked up our first real measurable, sticks to the ground snow, about 12" on the river and probably a good 16" up in the Tug Hills. This is a good thing. After last years snow drought we all know what happened to our river flows this past September/ October. I hope we get a good Lake Ontario influenced winter with normal mind boggling snow falls this winter.
The river temps are in the upper 30's and the steelhead have settled into winter mode. I love fishing steelhead this time of year. The river is quiet, not too many people on it. The areas that receive most pressure are the usual ones, Schoolhouse, Wire Hole, Trestle, Pineville, Ace, Sportsman, Compactor... you get the picture. If your coming up I'd suggest snow shoes or stick to the trails.
This time of year the most important thing to consider is keeping warm and dry. The first thing that helps stay this way is not to over-dress. If you have a considerable walk into where you will be fishing dress light and carry your heavier clothing in a pack. Trudging snow and carrying your gear will keep you warm, once you get to where you will fish add you layer of heavier clothing. Getting sweated up before you get to your fishing is going to keep you cold and miserable all day, if you can stand it that long. Another key to staying warm is breaking the wind (no, that's not what I meant). Keeping the wind off you is crucial to maintaining body heat. New space age materials that are incorporated into today's sportswear are amazing in how good they do their job. I have excellent wind/ rain gear from Simms. Pay a little more for it but will never regret it. Keeps me comfy and helps me concentrate on my clients and the fishing, not on trying to keep warm.
Another thing that can help keep you warm is an auxiliary heat source. Chemical hand warmers have a permanent place in my boat as does a couple of small propane space heaters. You don't need a boat to carry these to the river. Activate the hand warmers at your car and stick them in you coat pockets and most propane space heaters are collapsible and easily packed. A thermos of hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate also goes a long way to keeping you comfortable and happy when it's cold. A lunch or some kind of energy snack is also important to staying warm. Your body burns a lot of calories trying to stay warm so eating or snacking regularly gives your body fuel to burn.
Keeping my feet warm is VERY important. For waders I have a pair of insulated boot-foot 4mil neoprene. Very comfortable, keeps me dry and warm but here again, don't over dress. Too many heavy socks can actually cause you feet to sweat and then they're cold. As for pants under the waders, I have a pair of light-weight fleece. Again many companies now have very good layering clothes for under your waders. Also, as for the soles of your boots, lug soles with korkers sandals or cleats is your safest bet. Most of you already know the common problem with felt soles in the winter is that once they are wet and you walk in the snow, you now have two large ice clumps on the bottom of your boots, not a safe situation whether on land or in the water.
We are moving into a new year in a few days. There is a lot of uncertainty as we cross over into 2013. Not just here in the states but around the world things happen daily that can have a profound effect on each of us. Can't run from this but one thing, for now, is constant, the fishing here on the Salmon River. Doesn't hurt ever once and a while to put the world on hold and do a little fishing, it's a good thing. Hope to see you here.
Tight lines.
