Spring Steel Patterns- New York

[keithJ]

Hey Guys,

I'm wondering if anyone has any insite into Salmon River steelhead patterns in the spring. Are egg patterns still effective or do you typically switch flies and tactics? Looking to make another trip in late march or early april.

Thanks in advance.

[SPCantwell]

egg patters still work very well, sucker spawn also works well, as they spawn in the late spring. large wooly buggers and zonkers work well in spawning areas. in my opinion you CAN NOT beat the hot pink san jaun worm

[keithJ]

Thanks man. Do you fish the san juan worm like you would an egg pattern? Drift it with split up the leader close to the bottom through a run with an indicator?

egg patters still work very well, sucker spawn also works well, as they spawn in the late spring. large wooly buggers and zonkers work well in spawning areas. in my opinion you CAN NOT beat the hot pink san jaun worm

[SPCantwell]

put a float indicator on it and a small split shot and dead drift it in the softer water outside the current. its deadly. this is how i was fishing for the past couple years before i went out and bought a centerpin outfit. now the only difference is i use a 4" pink rubber worm and a balsa float--127-3-

[keithJ]

Sweet man. I appreciate it. I did a lot of egg pattern fishing last fall. Can't wait for the spring run.

[fleshfly]

very intersting on the san juan, I have never tried. I'd have to think you could go pretty big? after a few fish, you should try dropping the the bobber and try a slow swung streamer. The take, alone, makes it all worth the effort..... Have fun

[gseries69]

Much will depend on water temps and timing. Try the egg patterns when it's cold. As the season progresses the fish will start to pull back to the lake and hit everything that swims. You loose a lot of flies so try tying up some simple bunny leaches in white. Conehead, crosscut rabbit for body, and zonker strips for a tail. Bit of white or pearl flash dubbing for a colar. Use on a sink tip line and swing away.

San Juan worm idea sounds interesting, I'd surely give that a try.

[SPCantwell]

look at those 3" berkley trout worms and tie up the san jaun worm about the same size. they are probably only slightly larger than a regular san jaun worm. :p and don;t be afraid to tie some up in white, flo. green, flor orange and purple