Steelhead Alley  Lake Ontario tributaries.  In the Fall our attention will turn to the New York section of Steelhead Alley, and swinging large flies for migrating lake-run Steelhead. These trips are week-day walk & wade excursions that cover water actively with streamers utilizing single, and two-handed rods.  As Halloween approaches we begin our own annual migration for these spooky fish; checking weather & flows thoroughly, and picking our days wisely.  These fish are like nothing you'll find in freshwater anywhere else on the east coast, pushing anglers and their gear to extremes; also why we highly recommend a multi-day excursion. Steelhead are on the move, and a short, single-day outing that produces fish can be a tall order for most traveling Anglers. These fish deserve our best efforts, so we'll take in all the conditions, and be deliberate in our approach.

 

The Winter months from December through March are also harsh here, we see most of our prime weather, and swing-water from late-October through late-December, then again after March 1st through early April for "Drop-Back" season. Mid-Winter days can be tough, but productive streamer days can definitely be had. These fish ruin fly-tackle AND can crush your dreams;  plan your life [and booked date(s) with Chris] accordingly.

 

One on the wade is worth ten from a boat, and there is no more intimate way to catch a fish than wading into water with a fly rod, period. Immersing yourself into their environment, and fooling the fish with your fleye while having the fly-line in your hand. That initial grab & take; the 1:1 shock and tension via direct current.   Violent with some fish; primal, for sure; always exhilarating.

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Waders with a belt & a pair of good wading boots, waterproof jacket, gloves, plenty of thermal layers, foot warmers, and [optional] wading staff.  Necessary items on the Lake Ontario tributaries, with water temps hovering in the high 30*s to mid 40*s. 

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Another mandatory item:  Polarized Sunglasses.  Not just for spotting illusive fish in the water, sunglasses offer a base-level of safety for your eyes where rod-tips and fleyes with sharpened hooks are being cast airborne.  While we preach rod/line/leader/fly management and control with our clients, we just wouldn't feel right taking people out without the right protection.  No cool angler shades?  We'll hook you up with a local fly shop to check that box off too.  No need to break the bank, but better safe than sorry.

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Sun Protection:  Yes, even on cloudy days.  Sunscreen in the 15 SPF to 50 SPF range works, but sun-protection clothing is better, won't grease-up your hands, gear, fly line or leader.  We're fans of sun masks & sleeves and/or gloves, and a favorite hat.