Great Steelheading this November and with the amount of fish spread through out the river, that means a good winter and a forecasted excellent spring season. The high flows allowed for many of the fish to be not bothered by fishermen, which also created less stress for them which allows them to be healthier. High water fishing is great for a few reasons, one of which is why you should explore more areas to access and fish and another is that the fish battle is awesome!

Waking Bombers on the surface is a good choice to try when the flows drop considerably like they did from 1800 cfs to 900 cfs overnight. Some of the fish will move to different waters, but a few of the ones that stay will chase down bombers, just like they chased and grabbed my clients large strike indicators, that's right and more then once. Bright fluorescent colors in orange and yellow will do. After you tried this , then slowly go deeper and eventually ending up in the bottom 18".

Drift Boat Trips were a plus, as again it kept us moving to more spots daily, many more than can be walked to during the day.

Flies of choice used to now have been my egg patterns in peach and shrimp, olive and brown wooly buggers, and olive soft hackle wet flies. These patterns all did very well during the course of the day, stick with what's working, then change up. All my patterns are available at Malinda's Fly Shop in Altmar.

Presentation is everything, remember to drift each fly as it would look and act naturally in the water.

Tools of choice for steelhead were 6 & 7wt 10' rods with anti-reverse reels. FYI: my recommendation for the best way to keep your large cork drag systems smooth, which is to an absolute must, is to keep them clean and dressed with neats foot oil.

Bs, BBs & Lead may possibly become the thing of the past for nymphing, so try out the tungsten putty, as we did this fall, and you'll see the advantages.

Strike Indicators, yes we used them in areas that were difficult for some fly rodders, to get a natural drift, having fun and success in doing so.

Orvis 0 Gravity Rods, take the time to give the 7wt 10' a try it's great, if it's just a bit out of your budget, don't settle for anything less then the 6 or 7wt 10' T3, these rods are my tools of choice for trout larger then 5 pounds. While fishing with me you will be able to use and try these models out, then decide for yourself.

RESERVE YOUR 2007 SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL DATES NOW

NY Spring Steelheading dates are now being accepted for April 1 thru May 5, 2007 earlier dates may be available pending on run off conditions.
NY Fall Salmon & Steelhead Season dates starting September 20th thru November 30th 2007 are now booking.

Massachusetts Trout Season for the Deerfield and Westfield Rivers reservations are now being taken for May 12 thru September.

2007 Show Schedule: I will be available at The Fly Fishing Show to help answer any of your questions about the Salmon River Region New York, the Deerfield River in Massachusetts and more at the Hog Island Boatworks display in Marlborough MA, January 19-21st, then the following weekend in Somerset NJ January 26-28th.
Orvis Store in Avon CT: Thursday February 1st for a seminar starting at 6pm about the advantages of Drift Boating the Salmon River New York and the Deerfield River in Massachusetts.
FOR SALE: Hog Island Drift Boat Pkg. See previous newsletter for more info.

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