JACK WOLLITZ Rain stirred up Erie steelhead

Last week's rain may have been disappointing for folks yearning for a white Christmas, but the precipitation did a good thing for anglers by stirring up the steelhead in Lake Erie's tributaries.
The streams‚ levels were rising by the end of the week and the water was taking on a bit of color, both of which add up to good news for anglers looking forward to tangling with Lake Erie's big game trout species.
Fishermen reported prior to the rainy spell that the steelhead were stacked up in the pools of such streams as Conneaut, Arcola, Chagrin and Grand in Ohio and Elk and Walnut in Pennsylvania, but the low, ultra-clear water made catching them extremely difficult. Several reports indicated dozens of fish could be seen in some of the better pools, but getting strikes was like pulling teeth.
Reckless and wild: Steelhead are reckless, wild fighters once hooked, but they can be very fussy about what they'll hit when the water conditions are such that they can see thin lines and tiny hooks.
Rain, on the other hand, adds color to the water and stirs up the streams‚ ecosystems, which means the giant trout are much more likely to nibble on tempting salmon eggs, worms and salted minnows and smack hardware like spoons and spinners.
Steelhead in the six- to eight-pound class make up the majority of what has been caught in recent weeks. Bigger fish, however, are in the streams and can be caught by savvy anglers.
Unless you are lobbing flashy lures to generate reaction strikes from fish cruising the creeks‚ mouths, anglers are advised to try lines in the four- and six-pound-test range to trick finicky steelies resting in the stream pools.
Such light lines break like spider web unless anglers are outfitted with long, soft-action rods capable of absorbing most of the energy of fish that are all muscle in water temperatures that are near-perfect for their metabolisms. Those who are serious about steelheading often pitch their baits on "noodle" rods measuring 11 or 12 feet long.
A must: A spinning reel with a super smooth drag is another "must" for those who wish to land a big trout after battling the fish in a snaggy stream. The drag should be set lightly so the fish can take line easily but tight enough that the fish wears down from the effort required to pull against the reel.
Presentation is absolutely critical.
Once they are in the streams, big steelhead aren't prone to darting about in search of something to eat. Rather, they lay with their noses pointed into the current and eyeball morsels that wash toward their faces.
For that reason, the bait should be set under a float that positions the bait and hook at the level of the fishes‚ mouths. That usually means the bait should be positioned just above the bottom of the creek. The complete steelheader also needs a good pair of chest waders with felt-soled boots. While anglers can fish most of the Lake Erie tributaries fairly effectively from their banks, waders are helpful in fighting fish that decide they need to run. Big steelies are fully capable of running around a river bend and can strip all the line from a reel, which means an angler sometimes must get in the water and chase a hooked fish.
The best thing about steelhead fishing is it's great fun.
With conditions this weekend just about perfect, anglers‚ chances of hooking into some of that fun are greatly enhanced. And with the right equipment and a bit of skill, many will come home with fresh trout for their smokers.
jwollitz@shermanassoc.com