This past week I had the chance to get a couple of first time steelheaders into some fish, and it’s almost as fun as catching them yourself. My cousin Chase, who is a teacher in Colorado and avid fly fisherman used his spring break time to come visit family in the Chicago area, and of course do some fishing. The last time he was in the midwest was in December, and the fall run of fish was still producing some good action. A few days before he arrived we got some serious rain and the tribs were blown out, and we never got the chance to get him some steel. This past week just happened to be the perfect time for him to come back and get his redemption. With the water levels in the rivers just dropping to the perfect level we had good chances to get on some fish.
Friday, Chase and his long time friend Matt met me at my house early and we headed for Milwaukee. Arriving at the first spot I saw another angler fishing where I had wanted to be, typical in Wisconsin, but one of the reasons I like the Milwaukee River is because it’s big and there is room to spread out. We noticed the next bit of water just upstream was wide open and we made a move. The riffle, run, and pool that normally existed at this spot was not really there due to the water level still being a little high. We casted where we could for awhile and then noticed the fisherman had left the spot we originally wanted, so we jumped on it. Since those guys were familiar with dead drifting nymphs I started them off with some eggs while I swung a leech below them. Within twenty minutes I had hooked two fish that had headed straight for the lake and spit the the fly just before my backing came out. We continued to fish there for another hour with no action so we headed out to find some new water.
With the water still a little high we headed upstream to Kletzch Park. There were a lot more fisherman than I expected for a Friday. Most of them were right below the dam, but there was only two guys on the opposite side in the long run below the riffles. For whatever reason I thought that Wisconsin state law for waterways and public rights was the rivers high water mark, I quickly found out that I was wrong. An older man and woman from their back porch started screaming a constant stream of angry words to which I couldn’t even understand, however I got the point! I jumped in the river and and asked another fisherman what the hell that was all about. He informed me that you must be IN THE WATER if not on public land. Now, I don’t think trespassing is a funny issue, but I did find the situation a little humorous. I guess there are nicer ways to let someone know they’re breaking the rules. Anyway, we made sure we stayed in the water. Upstream from me I noticed some commotion and looked to see Chase hooked up to his first ever steelhead! The red male took him for a good ride. A few minutes later Matt scoops the fish into the net, the fly gets hooked in the net, and the fish shakes his way out to freedom. This was not the first time I’ve seen that happen. When fishing two flies, the fly thats not in the fish’s mouth can become a problem when netting a fish. Needless to say, Chase was a little frustrated losing one so close.
The crowds eventually chased us out of there and we headed to Estabrook Park to find and empty parking lot. In the first few swings below the riffles I hooked up with this beautiful chromer on a string leech! Not very big, but bright enough to direct air traffic.
A little while later Chase hooked up again, this time with a feisty female. Watching a first-timer fighting a steelhead is not only very exciting, but also a little nerve racking. You want the person to land the fish so bad; every time the fish has a burst of energy you just hold your breath and hope for the tippet to hold. He did a great job keeping a tight line and we eventually landed this beauty!
Not long after I got to witness Matt, another first-timer bring his first steelhead to hand. He had already had a few other opportunities but the steelhead had won, but not this time. He landed this beautiful hen!
After watching the egg patterns produce a couple fish I had to switch up. I managed to catch another pretty little 5 lb hen that I released without a photo. All in all a great day! Everyone got a fish and some fights they won’t forget anytime soon. All fish landed were females that had already spawned, except for the one that took the leech, she was still fresh! These next few weeks should be good. The fun has just begun!