Is the Spring run finished?

[stealhead]

I was out on the Bighead last Friday all day long. Water was pretty high and muddy as hell but I had a day to kill so I stuck it out. I caught about 25 suckers and hooked (maybe) one steelhead. Didn't see anyone else out there catch anything good either. I haven't been fishing long - this is my first year steelheading and my first Spring run. Is the run basically over now? Fishing conditions were crap last weekend but looking good for this weekend. Would I be wasting my time out there?

[KJF]

I would say the run is finished, I have fished the Bighead for over 40 years in the spring and fall. A lot of fish run the river in the fall and hold over to the early spring and spawn, with all the high water they have been flushed out.
You might be best to try the larger flows of water like the Saugeen, there could be fish still running and spawning.

[stealhead]

That's what I was afraid of. Thanks for the tip! Would the Notty still potentially hold some fish? Saugeen is a bit far for me

[KJF]

You could try the Notty, but it will be still a bit dirty and high with all this rain.

[BillM]

High and muddy and they'll be blasting through.

[Fishsniffer]

Notty has been high dirty for the past two months .
Been dreaming on getting a float drop therapy session on it .

Worst spring I ever had for river fishing here .


Way lower might be better for water
Conditions

Notty holds fish all year around.
Never be afraid just fish it !

[stealhead]

"Never be afraid just fish it!" - that's the spirit!

Honestly, I'm such a novice that I would benefit from simply practicing with me CP setup. I've never fished the Notty before - any recommendations for where to park? No need to reveal your fishing spots but I would appreciate a starting point!

[Andrewj]

Doesn’t matter when you go to the notty it’s always chocolate milk lol

[Kyfish]

I’m not so sure that the runs are done yet. I’ve been hearing from a bunch of people that they’re still catching hens full of roe trolling the mouths, even of some smaller tribs. Doesn’t seem that uncommon for them to be catching them like that either. Hopefully some more rain brings them through again

[stealhead]

I didn't make it to the Bighead or Notty but I did head down to Thornbury for a few hours. I saw several guys fishing on Saturday so I tried my luck on Sunday morning for 2 hours. Hooked up twice and lost them both (because I still have no idea what I'm doing...). Would have stayed longer but my puppy was at home sick as, well, a dog

[MedicinalAngler]

was there even a run this year? been out since zone 16 opener .the creeks near me that I have checked almost daily that are usually chocked full of small fry and yearlings by now haven't seen a one until last weekend I finally saw a few in one of the creeks . with that sign, I hit a couple rivers in the coldwater area, hooked nice size rainbow, lost it. later pulled in a much smaller bow that unfortunately did not survive the hook in its gills, but made a nice tasty treat for lunch that day.