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“Egging” for Trout (and Steelhead) – Midwest Style!

 

 

Just about the same time that the leaves are in full color here in Michigan, the salmon are digging heavily on gravel and ending their life cycle.  While spawning, the female releases thousands of eggs into the river.  Those little balls of protein that drift free of the gravel are readily eaten by both trout and steelhead that position themselves directly below the spawning salmon. 

 

Every October I catch some of the largest trout of the year while fishing the Muskegon River below Croton Dam.  30+ fish days are not out of the question if you find the right water,  As a bonus, there is always the chance at a fresh “chromer” steelhead.  These fish are often so keyed in on eggs that they will take nothing else, and at times, so stuffed with eggs that they regurgitate them when caught.  Other rivers offer similar situations.  The Betsie usually gets a good run of “skippers”, or “half-pounders”, which are steelhead that have only spent one year in the big lake.  The PM and Manistee offer good trout and steelhead action to fly anglers.

 

The best way to get started is to find a river with actively spawning salmon.  Local fly shops should be able to provide you with the most current reports.  I recommend at least a 5wt or 6wt, with the latter being preferred in case you hook a steelhead or lake-run brown trout.  A 9’ rod is good with a 10’ rod being even better.  A 10’ leader tapered down to 3x fluorocarbon should suffice for a leader and you may want to use a strike indicator in the deeper runs.  Use glo-bugs in the paler shades of orange, yellow, pink, or peach tied on #10 or #12 hooks.  Make sure the egg flies are no larger than “pea-sized” to fool the warier trout.

Split shot will be necessary, as you will want to “tick” the bottom with the lead to slow your offering down.  Once you are on the river, look for actively spawning salmon and fish the dark pockets and runs directly behind them.  Hits will come as pauses in your drift and may be subtle or rod-slammers.

 

Good luck this fall and if you are more interested in learning about catching trout and steelhead, please feel free to contact FlyFishMich.