Reaching goals- Fishing year 2

As most of you know, last year I got into fishing. I documented my experience learning all the intricacies of the sport. I was able to catch quite a few fish last year, but I set a goal from the start. That was to catch a rainbow trout that comes from Lake Erie into the tributaries for the fall spawn. We call them steelhead trout, although that’s a slight misnomer. A true steelhead trout migrates from salt water to a fresh water stream to spawn. New York steelhead do not make the ocean trek. They are called steelhead because they get a silver, iridescent color to their scales that looks like steel. 

In general, trout are harder to catch than other creek fish like bass because they have great eyesight and are a cautious species by nature. Lake trout are even harder to catch, as they survive in the predatory ecosystem of a lake, compared to the easier life in a creek. 

Last year I tried six times to catch a lake trout and couldn’t even get a bite. Many local fishermen use a technique called drifting, where you float a sack of salmon eggs under a bobber just above the bottom of the creek bed. I watched people catch trout using this method, and I replicated their setup as best as I could, but never had any success. I decided that I would research trout fishing techniques in the winter and focus exclusively on catching trout all spring and early summer to practice for the fall trout run this year. 

I found information about trout that explained several different techniques used for trout. Besides drifting, many people use inline spinners. These are a small lure with a paddle that spins and vibrates in the water as you reel it in. Trout can be aggressive if agitated, and these lures cause what is called a reactionary strike. They aren’t feeding, they are annoyed with your lure. You need to use very thin fishing line so the trout can’t see it in the water, and slowly retrieve the spinner, keeping it close to the bottom.

Starting in the spring, I went out and practiced my new found technique, until I mastered it. I was able to catch many rainbow and brown trout in a small lake and the creek near me. I found a lure that was like a trout magnet

 

Then, come mid October, I set out on my first fall fishing trip. I hiked out to the mouth of a creek where it meets Lake Erie early in the morning. When I arrived, there were a dozen people there fishing. Most of them were using the drifting technique, some were catching trout. I tried for two hours and didn’t get a bite. I decided to switch to the inline spinner I had success with using in the spring. Within ten minutes I had my first steelhead trout on my hook. After a good fight, I had the trout close enough to try and net it. But, the trout thrashed around hard and broke my line. I was disappointed but not discouraged. A nearby fisherman tried to give me a pep talk, but I told him I was actually encouraged that I now knew I could get a trout on my hook, after many attempts and getting no action at all. 

I re-tied on a new lure, and ten minutes later…hooked another one. After a careful fight, I tired the fish out and I landed my first steelhead trout. 

This 18 inch beauty is a perfect sized eater, though it’s on the smaller size for a lake trout. The joy I got from realizing my two year goal was immense. I probably sounded like some deranged creekside preacher yelling “Holy Shit! Thank you Lord! God Damn! Holy shit! Thank God!”

Here is a video clip of all my catches from the year and some dishes I made with the fish. Enjoy!