×

Not much for looking back

Mike Bleech Outdoors Columnist

While I am a serious fan of history, 2019 is hardly history. So the only look back at this past year is to report that the female black squirrel that frequents our yard has about doubled in size. She was a skinny little thing when she arrived. Now when she scampers away carrying a mouthful of nuts she looks like feedlot beef.

Lately, she has been getting peanuts in the shell, which she stashes who knows where. Blue jays have joined in this feast. At first, it was three that came together. Then it was four. Now when they are on the feed it is a steady stream of blue jays until all of the peanuts are gone.

Looking into the 10-day weather forecast, it does not look like we need to be thinking about ice fishing until at least mid-January. I did not see a single day when it would not get above freezing and many in the 40s. The night should be seasonably mild. If true, no ice.

So what can we do to play in the outdoors until ice does form?

Steelhead fishing has to be near the top of the list of options. This has been a good year for steelhead fishing. Many are in the 7 pounds to 9-pound class. Although the fall run got a late start because of unseasonably warm weather and a lack of rain, once the run got going it has been good to very good, allowing for weather conditions that shut down fishing.

Creeks have run low and clear recently. This makes fishing difficult because it makes steelhead skittish. It is doubly frustrating to average steelhead anglers because they think they should be able to see the steelhead, and some of the fish can be seen, especially when they move. However, the color pattern of steelhead when viewed from above blends remarkably well with the creek bottoms. Wear polarized glasses if you want a better look at steelhead laying on the bottom.

You should do better in the long run if you do not concentrate on fishing for steelhead you can see. Regardless of what a majority of steelhead anglers seem to believe, these fish are afraid of people, and probably anything else that is 20 times their size. Sure, make a few drifts when you see steelhead, but pay more attention to fishing in the water where the bottom is not visible due either to depth, watercolor, or surface disturbances.

If at all possible, try to time your steelhead fishing with the onset of rain. Just the dimpling when raindrops hit the creek water is enough to put steelhead at ease. The best steelhead fishing probably will be when the water starts rising and getting some color.

Remember to change to larger baits and flies in louder colors as the water gains color.

If the creeks are not your favorite places to fish, steelhead fishing can be quite good fishing from shore at several places around Presque Isle Bay, near the East Street Boat Launch, in NorthEast Marina and at Dunkirk Harbor fishing from the end of the public dock. Occasionally big lake trout are caught inside NorthEast Marina.

Brown trout fishing has been better this year than it has been over the past three years. For your best chances to catch brown trout, use nightcrawlers or live minnows for bait.

Some of us prefer walleye fishing, and it is a lot closer to fish at the Kinzua Dam Tailwaters. Walleye fishing has been quite good this winter, although I have not heard about any really big walleye.

Some of the better walleye fishing at the Tailwaters was while the river was running higher. Nothing we can do about that except relocating the walleye. In general, move closer to the dam.

Live minnows are the way to go if you can get them. I like minnows at least 5 inches long for winter walleye. The larger Allegheny River walleye usually are caught during winter, and the average size is better.

No need to stay home if no minnows are available, though. Tailwaters walleye anglers have caught plenty of walleye using stick baits and lead head jigs since the dam was under construction.

Try a size 13 Rapala Original Minnow in the old favorite silver/black back color pattern, or especially during winter, fire tiger.

Use mostly 1/8 ounce lead heads with white, yellow or chartreuse twister tail soft plastic bodies. These are even better if tipped with a small minnow. This is a great rig is the only minnows available are small.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today