Minnesota Steelheader

If the past couple weeks is any indication, it appears that we will be having an early Steelhead season this year. I can't recall the last time the rivers have been open this early and no snow back in the woods. As NMF stated in the previous post, fish are being caught along the shore, not a lot, but they are out there if you know where to look. In fact our our Staffer, GL, is heading out, as I type, to some middle shore rivers again today. Yesterday, along with his fishing buddy, they landed several Steelhead. Spawn is still the most productive method in the cold water. We have had reports all the way to Canada of open water and fish. The main issue right now is not ice covered rivers like you would expect, it is the low water. Rain is desperately needed and when it comes get on the rivers. "It is like fall fishing right now, low water and not a lot of fish - yet." If you plan on heading out this week seek the rivers with decent water flow and you should find a fish or t...

The News as of 03.26.2010 Reports are starting to come in and here's what we have: Lower North Shore tribs are open for the most part although there's still shelf ice here and there. Most of the snow is gone, including in the uplands which is unusual for this time of year. This should lead to a significantly quicker warmup unless temps/sunshine tanks or we get another shot of snow. Stream temps have been fluctuating widely on a daily basis. High temps have broken 40degrees on some of the tribs, but those highs have dropped again over the last two days. Average temps were about 35 but they dropped as well. Low a.m. temps are still in the 31-33 range. Bait has been working better (no surprize) in the cold water but flies have been producing on those days when afternoon temps have approached 40. Yarn is doing what yarn does, producing across a wide range of temps. A mix of steelhead and loopers are being taken out of most lower shore tribs from Lester to Silver with a few rumbling...