As we transition into the colder months of the year, our thoughts turn to the crown jewel of the USA’s anadromous fish- the steelhead. Earlier this fall, we caught up with ambassador Steele Lewis during his guide season for some small-water steelhead tips that are equally as relevant for fall and winter runs of fish, focusing on how to best fish your water based on the conditions at hand.
For a mix of swinging and nymphing, we enjoyed fishing the ULS 2.0 Switch rods in 7# and 8#, using both the standard WF lines and short Scandi 3D+ compact heads. Most important is how we treat these amazing wild fish, as there are little things an angler can do to minimize their impact on the fishery. Barbless hooks are mandatory in most places, but there are other steps you can take as a responsible angler to do more. We were lucky to hold onto a few fish briefly before sending them home, as every one of these fish is a special experience.
