Once Mother Nature figured out it was a new year, she adjusted the weather to be in step with what it normally is this time of year – winter like.
Steelhead fishing remains the target species for those looking to get outside after a month of over eating, holiday parties and perhaps a little too much time with visiting relatives. Water temps are in the upper 30s and as such the fish are acting like it- kind of lazy in where they are sitting and how they are eating. Look for fish to be on the inside edges and tail-outs of slower moving holes especially if they have structure and wood in them. With the rare appearances of the sun this time of year, look for steelhead to be in shallow slots over sand sunning themselves. The first cast is always the most important but be sure to methodically cover the water since the fish aren’t aggressively moving to eat the fly; with slight warm ups of a degree or two, their willingness to move to a fly can change.
Good luck and may 2012 be filled with a lot of good fishing for you.
Ted