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Single
Egg Presentations Crush Lake Erie Steelhead
By James Chamberlin
 This
falls steelhead fishing in the Lake Erie tributaries was very
challenging in 2007 because the water was low and clear. Normally
this time of year a 1/32 oz jig in various colors tipped with
a couple of wax worms or maggots is all that is needed to make
the drag scream, but not this year! Light line, small hooks, stealthy
bobbers and single eggs have been the ticket this fall.
This stealthy method that I am about to describe to you has been
the top producer of nice chromers this fall and into the winter
for Fish With Jim Outfitters, a guide service based in Vermilion,
Ohio. The technique is simple a #14 hook and under a float with
enough split shot to make the bobber float vertical in the water.
The trick is to find the eggs! I have tested two different bait
shops “cooked eggs,” Erie Outfitters in Sheffield,
Ohio and Central Basin Bait and Tackle in Vermilion, Ohio in several
different streams. The differences in the eggs are small, Erie
Outfitters uses Coho Salmon eggs from Michigan and Central Basin
uses King Salmon eggs from New York. Each of the eggs has their
application. In clear water use the Coho eggs and in the greenish
water use the King eggs. Keeping the line off the water during
a drift, especially in turbulent water, is key to presenting this
bait naturally, and natural is the key.
Steelhead are programmed to follow salmon up the river in the
fall to feed on their eggs. Presenting the eggs natural is accomplished
by allowing the stream to move the bobber, not by the anglers
rod or by line laying on the water. To make this drift perfect,
cast upstream 45 degrees; once the bobber hits the water lift
the line out of the water by lightly lifting the rod tip. Once
the bobber floats directly in front of you and starts heading
down stream slowly lower the rod tip. It is important to adjust
the length of the lead from the bobber to the bait often in a
hole, especially if the fish are not biting.
This method is productive from top to bottom in any hole holding
steelhead with proper water clarity! |
