As winter ends and the rivers thaw, it's time for steelhead of Lake Superior's North Shore to migrate up to their spawning grounds. Steelhead were first introduced to Lake Superior in the late 1800s and underwent a population decline in the late 1900s. Tighter catch and release regulations and stocking by the DNR have recently brought the population back, and given anglers ample opportunities to catch them.
Steelhead are native to the West Coast, where two handed spey rods are used to cast and swing flies across wide, sweeping rivers. But on the North Shore, the rivers are generally narrower and faster, with smaller pools. To adapt to these circumstances, North Shore steelheaders generally use monofilament instead of fly line on their fly reels, with enough weight so their flies tick along the bottom. Seven- or 8-weight fly rods are the size of choice for steelheading. Flies that should be kept in one's arsenal include yarn flies, which represent a steelhead egg, and assortments of streamers in colors such as black, purple, and pink. Nymphs and other more typically used trout flies are favored by some steelheaders.
Early last month, I was on North Shore rivers in pursuit of steelhead. With my dad and brother, I arose early in the morning and headed out to various rivers. The air temperature was 36 degrees, pretty warm for spring steelhead fishing. One morning, I walked upstream a half mile and found a run that had a good amount of gravel bars where hen steelhead lay their eggs. I cast upstream and kept a tight line as i drifted my yarn fly down the run. It had not been 10 minutes before i hooked my first fish and the fight was on. The fish shot right at me as I frantically tried to pick up line to keep tension with the fish. After about a four-minute fight, my younger brother scooped the fish up in the net, and I unhooked and released the 22-inch male.
I walked back to the same run and started casting again. With my Polarized glasses, I could see another fish lying in the run, slowly moving upriver. After several minutes I hooked up again, this time with a longer, heavier female. She took me down river, but I was able to steer her into slack water, and bring her to hand. This fish measured 29 inches, and I posed for a quick photo and gently released the fish.
Minnesota offers diverse species of fish. And steelhead are another resource that we have the opportunity to fish for. It is a good way to get out and welcome the new season and the terrain is very scenic along the North Shore. There are many rivers to fish, and the timing of the steelhead run depends on the river. So running and gunning from river to river is a good way to find fish. If you haven't tried it before, you might set aside some time next spring to head north. It's great fun.
