Still gettin’em

I haven't by over it since last week. But it was pretty well iced-over last week (New Years Day). I am at our cabin, north of Hale. Last week we had 5" of ice with several inches of slush on top. It melted more early this week, but froze over last night - low temp 12*, here. The slush is all frozen now. I would imagine the Rifle is, too.

 

Yeah we made the trip. Wasn’t fishable with the ice. Went up to the ausable to continue the chrome skunk fir this winter lol

 

Yeah, I am about done with the Ausable for Steelhead anymore. I've fished it a handful of times since Thanksgiving, and not gotten a single Steelhead bite. The river should have had a bunch of Steelhead at Thanksgiving, or since. They just aren't there.

 

Ye

yeah my brother in law keeps talking me into going. He grew winter fishing for chrome and we haven’t caught one this fall. He’s hooked up with a couple and his uncle caught a couple. Gotta start making the trip west for the chrome i guess

 

Fished the Rifle. Steelhead on the first cast then nothing for the remaining three hours....


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How was the shelf ice?

MEB

 

Wow

wow. Gulp smelt.

 

It was present and not fun to deal with...

River is ever-changing, be sure of water depth under the shore ice before you step on it..

 

I'm not a regular there, but in my limited experiences the steelhead fishing has declined significantly since the Atlantics started returning. My buddy first brought it to my attention and I have to agree. Not sure if its coincidence or other factors involved.

 

Thanks - I'm going to attempt to fish it in the next few days. I'll respond back with the river conditions.

 

If ya go West, stay N. I've had fleeting thoughts of hanging it up it's been so slow for me. But I hear enough rumors of the right people in the right place on the right day... I honestly dont think N has been better. Steelhead numbers have got to be significantly lower the past few years.

 

There is no denying that Lake Huron is not the same lake anymore. Alewives are gone and Lake Trout and Walleye have returned to being the top predators. It's great the the Atlantic's have taken hold and hopefully the Coho will as well but how this will all play out for the Steelhead is anyone's guess.