January Steelheading

Post by **bobfly** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 5:19 pm

At a recent OFS lecture we were told that the Steelhead are running in NY. Does anyone have any info of steelhead along Lake Ontario on our side? I have to drive to TO this week. Wouldn't mind wetting a line if it won't freeze on my way back to Ottawa.

Post by **darkelf** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 5:54 pm

use to fish them in port hope almost year round, standing on the piers can be dangerous as they ice over with the waves. the mouth of the wilmont creek but that too can be a challenge. the credit river in toronto also holds steelhead most of the time. if your going to do it, a floatsuit and cleets are a must!!!
good luck and let me know how you make out

Post by **Daner** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 6:16 pm

Back in my old days, I heard of Wilmot Creek and all other tribs from the 401 into the Lake!

Take your time and be safe!

Float & drift (eggs...)
http://www.thefishinguide.com/wilmot.shtml

Post by **DropShotr** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 7:03 pm

For my 2 cents go to Pulaski, Ny. and check out Whitakers Sports Store:
http://whitakers.com/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/index.html

Better fishing closer.

good luck,
Drop

Post by **i got worms** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 7:40 pm

all the lake 'o' tribs from cobourg on west will have steelies holding in the deep pools all winter right through to the spring. just read the regs over as the fish-able sections vary from trib to trib. most are open from south side of CN tracks down to the lake all year but some have sanctuary areas. wilmot is good and has a good stretch of fish-able river this time of year. i spent many a day freezing my digits off there! drift your bait under a float through the deep slow pools or down in the marsh near the mouth (if it's not iced over). roe or worms work pretty well but sometimes you can't beat a black wooly bugger or egg sucking leach. good luck!

Post by **bobfly** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 11:22 pm

Thanks for all your comments. I was thinking of Cobourg right at the park below the walk over bridge (below CN Tracks). Might have ice on the shore. I'm a flyfisher but I think spinning gear is what is needed at this time of year. Methinks the mouth of Wilmot will have a lot of ice.
bj

Post by **Mitch24** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 12:33 am

I wouldn't bother (look in your inbox)

Post by **i got worms** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 9:47 am

bobfly wrote:I'm a flyfisher but I think spinning gear is what is needed at this time of year. bj

Absolutely, but drifting flies under a clear drennan float with spinning gear (or float rod&reel) is deadly!

There may be some ice on the creeks but I've caught steelhead drifting between ice in the open current spots, landing can be tricky, you'll likely need your waders! We used to break up the ice just to open up some fishable water