Too early for steelhead?

Hello all,

I'm considering heading out around Angus to fish the Nottawasaga for steelhead with a friend this Sunday. I've never tried fishing for steelhead this early, as I only started last spring, so I'm not really sure if it's too early, too cold, or too far upriver. I did see that we're gonna get a warm spell with quite a bit of rain this week, which I think is good. Do we have any chance of success? Or should we not waste our time?

Thanks,

K.

I would expect the river to be up in to the trees by the weekend. Warm rain can melt a lot of snow.

I’ve never fished the Notty but I think it’s safe to say it will be blown out for a few days after this melt like Chuck said.

Few days after the big melt should b pretty good i usually find once it starts to drop before it clears up fish will b in and active not to sure about the notty but creeks and rivers my way hold steelhead all winter with the best runs February through April

Ok yeah you guys are right. That won't stop us though. I'll do some research on how to fish for steelhead in high water. As long as they're in there, there's hope.

Some of the river is still iced over

The Notty will be unfishable for the next month most likely.

Agree with ROFF. Trying to fish the Notty in full flood is a bad idea. You never know if you don't go, but I'd put a plan B together just in case.

With the exception of current conditions as mentioned above its never too early if its not locked up... plus early always better than late... not as "sporting" or fun fishing them over spawning grounds high up a system or hitting spawned out dropbacks in warm weather/low water which can often be the case by late April....in my opinion

There are a few tribs/sections like the Notty with year round open season... maybe focus on those that have less volume/flow and clean up quicker.

Below is a link that can be helpful - pick a river, check the readings for a day you're there so you have a benchmark and decide whats ideal for you going forward.


https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/google_map/goo...gion®ion=ONT

Looks 'double-double' in the lower part today with whitecaps from wind off the lake!!

I was over near Moonstone today and the upper Coldwater River is high, fast, dirty and at the top of its banks. Lots of water flowing out of the fields and over the concession roads in places.

Not fishable in my opinion.

SDC

Notty in Angus is almost to the top this afternoon.

Ha---if you look at the online graphs right now you will see a vertical line.

Maitlandman i'd love to know of other rivers/tribs that are open for steelhead right now and clear up earlier, from what I could see most of the other ones were in the GTA which I'm not so big on fishing-wise. Not committed to the Notty if there is a better option.

Although I'm new to the game, I made that mistake last year It's gonna be REAL high with these warm temps, wait till it'll be a bit lower like the others said, goodluck