Do trout feed .............

[hobster]

when the rivers are rising? I know steelhead don't feed and are very hard to target when the rivers are rising, i've heard most guides won't even go out then. Are trout any different? Will they take nymphs when levels rise? I might hit up the Mac this week since work is slow. Thanks in advance for any knowledge.

 

[fishinshawn]

when the rivers are rising? I know steelhead don't feed and are very hard to target when the rivers are rising, i've heard most guides won't even go out then. Are trout any different? Will they take nymphs when levels rise? I might hit up the Mac this week since work is slow. Thanks in advance for any knowledge.

I have never had any issues catching trout as long as it isn't freezing cold or brown. Steelhead will bite on a rising river, the reason many are unsuccessful is because steelhead are moving to the spawning grounds as fast as they can when the water rises.

 

[rippin fish lips]

when the rivers are rising? I know steelhead don't feed and are very hard to target when the rivers are rising, i've heard most guides won't even go out then. Are trout any different? Will they take nymphs when levels rise? I might hit up the Mac this week since work is slow. Thanks in advance for any knowledge.

As long as the Mac is clear... not too cold and not too fast it will fish!! Trout will still continue to feed, as long as they don't become lethergic. Fish slower moving water.... (inside corners, Inside seams, inside pockets, and pools.... that are on the inside of a bend!). Fish undercut banks... that is where i have been finding most of my trout on the mac lately. Yes it will be challenging... but it's just like every other year... It is always a challenge to catch fish in the "early season" But if you put ur time in... you will be rewarded some nice fish!! The trout you catch now... will be on the bigger side with this higher water and will fight a lot harder.

However.... i checked the Middle fork willy out yesterday.... and got rewarded some nice nate bows and cuts. I think the willy may fish a little better, with slower/warmer water. Yes you still gotta work for em, but it will produce.

Both rivers are producing... I have been finding that, this year.... is a year where you just have to go find out and see if you can get a bite. Fish grassy banks, with debris, or undercut banks, in about 4-6 fee4t of water and you will find fish. This is coming from a gear fisherman who spends most of his time on the mac in the months of march throught december...

Edit... steelhead are on the move looking for there spawning grounds. If you want a steelhead and you don't get any action in the hole u r fishing... move up!!! Start low... and work your way up!! or.... do it all backwards for a little tougher fishing Also... There is a crap load of smolts in the systems right now. If in doubt... throw it back!!

I can garuntee that you will find fish on the willy... between jasper and altonbaker park. Most the fish wil be smolts in the (day island) area. But./... you may hook up into that lunker steelie.

 

[hobster]

Thanks guys, lots of good stuff there RFL. I'm about to head out to the Mac near Armitage and throw some flies, i'll try nymphs and wet flies, and dries if i'm real lucky. The weather is back and forth, so it should be interesting. I'm hoping to go after some steel soon, but i've never fished the Mac for them (god knows why), so i'm still figuring out where to go. Luckily i have a little time to figure that out.
Its funny i've fished the Mac for 15 years but its always been above the goodpasture bridge or closer to town, but never really fished the Springfield area on up to Leaburg. Maybe thats why i never accidentally hooked a steelie before, i know they are above Leaburg (where i fish 80% of the time) but in small numbers. I'm just discovering steelhead fishing and i'm looking forward to learning some new stuff about the river and steelies this year. Should be fun!!

 

[rippin fish lips]

Nymph with large Stonefly Nymphs coupled with a Mega Prince, Beadhead Hare’s Ears and Pheasant Tails. ----------------------------------------- Yes that is part of the reason why u have never prolly caught steel, although... im sure at times you were fishing right over them and they just didn't want to take ur offerings. You would be amazed at some of the water (most) of it from hayden bridge up to leaberg!