Steelhead fishing strong as anglers await ice

Steelhead fishing on the Clearwater and Grand Ronde rivers continues to be a hot ticket as ice continues to form on lakes up north, said Duane Sunell of Cabela's.

"Many people are still steelhead fishing and waiting for the ice to get better," Sunell said.

Lighted wigglers and Lindy River Rockets (floating plugs) work good for steelhead along with black and red jigs.

Sunell said some anglers are still fly fishing on Fourth of July and Sprague lakes, along with Crab Creek and Rocky Ford on the Washington side. Small dark nymphs are working.

Sunell said, with cold weather in the forecast, some lakes up north should be ready for ice fishing in a week or so.

"I took a drive, and it's getting pretty close on some of the small lakes," Sunell said.

Sunell said Round Lake near Sandpoint has a little bit of open water, but it won't be long until anglers can pack their augers there.

•••

Next up is ice fishing.

While anglers are still going after pike, loading their lines with smelt, the next good fishing season should be when the water freezes over.

The best bet then will be to go after perch or blueback salmon using Swedish pimples and glow hooks, said Tina Padgitt, of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

That season is weather dependent, naturally. Meanwhile, people are still trolling Lake Pend Oreille and Priest Lake for mackinaw with Apex lures and flies, but that fishing has slowed down as well.

The best bet could be when ice fishing starts again.

"We're waiting for the ice," Padgitt said.

•••

While the cooler weather is slowing things down, there is still some fishing to be had, says Pat Way, of Orvis Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene.

"It's certainly feasible to catch a fish or two on the Coeur d'Alene River," Way said.

Nymphing is the way to go, mostly toward the latter part of the afternoon.

"Small pheasant tails...you might get a few midges in the afternoon for dryflies," he said.

Way said they continue to receive positive reports from steelhead seekers spending time on the Grande Ronde and Clearwater rivers. Early mornings and later afternoons are the most fruitful times to be out there.

"Low and slow is the name of the game right now, for steelhead," Way said.