SMALL STREAM STRATEGY

                       SMALL WATER,WITH BIG RESULTS    

             When water is high and turbid, fish can choose to stay on the edges of a stream or seek refuge from the volume of water by heading up a tributary.  In most cases, it seems that's the case.  On many occasions after reading the flow gages this is my first instinct as well.  And the smaller water doesn't bother me one bit.  In fact it's a sigh of relief knowing that I can cover all the water and theirs no pressure from other anglers.  I have came across lots of good water with an opptomistic approach and it  has paid off almost every time.

                    Finding good tributaries is another adventure in itself.  And it can be as fun as you want it to be.  The beauty of the internet has paid off dearly for me and plenty other anglers as well. Google zoom, Map Quest and city maps just to name the obvious. And of course the old fashioned,"Get out and do something" works as well. Driving down lake erie's coast and observing an inlet is priceless and exactly what im talking about.  Several times I've found what looked to be a creek,documented the closest streets then drove to the location and finding exactly what I was looking for.  Of course, feeder tributaries being your best bet.  But this is a close second.

        Countless times I've seen fish rolling in from the mouth of a feeder creek with spawning colors working thier way through the trib.  And every time I have seen this happen it has been when thiers high and turbid water.  And if you were to come back two days later,chances are the fish will be gone unless of course it has laid it's genetic imprint from a previous spawn.






    As pictured to the right,you will notice this fish has all of it's fins naturaly shaped and stout.  Nothing preventing this fish from growing naturaly , or ill shaping from an over populated fish hatchery. Nor clipped   fins. This fish fought wildly, and hard.  And a few others that cold morning were rising as well.  Thiers no doubt this fish was naturaly reproduced with the water always running cold even through summer months.Also gin clear,and insect hatches are abundant. And to me this is like finding gold.  Not knowing if the fish are going to be in these tiny tribs and the second you feel that tug on your fly rod is a moment I can't begin to explain.  And you know the drill, hard work pays off in this sport.  Some things can't be taught but a lot is instinct and teachings on your own.  And being a bit of a boy scout can really pay off.   

 

Both these smolts were caught on the same day. This isn't the first time this has happened at this location. When the seasonal weather shifts hit right, and flows are stable, this trib has had good reproduction rates from my own observations and small studies. If you read the "How much reproduction do we really have?" post,this is what the topic was. And this is one of many suprises from a small stream you can have. And if you know of an area which has sharon conglomerate sandstone throughout the area chances are you will have a cold water habitat thats suitable for reproduction.

         A stealthy approach is  for certain on these tribs as well. Casting on one knee if need be, or hiding around tree limbs is not out of the question. As casting  25-30 feet away is done on a regular basis also and it definately adds to the excitement and enjoyment. Leaders of 4 lbs., and nymphs in size 16 long shank is a staple to look natural as well. Big purple and pink flies is definately out of the question in my opinion.  Although you hear of people using them with regular results on these small tribs and thats great if that's your confidant "go to".
         This year has been espeacially good to us in the steeelhead alley.  Almost every trib has steelhead of some degree in them and with all our public space,they can be utilized.  These small tribs are used for steelhead that feel to much pressure as well.  If anglers are hitting the river hard,and the fish feel "threatened",they will seek new grounds.  Pods of fish move from one location to the next in search of prime hold over water to avoid predators and human pressure. Tailouts, back eddies, undercut banks and the topic- feeder streams.
       

                                

                     Among all this good smaller water, these streams can be hit and miss. It doesn't take long to cover this water and your results should be sudden if casting and approach is done equally well.  The steelhead gods have treated us well this year.  Hopefully the good times will keep rolling.........