Mid-October marks a bustling period for anglers fishing the tributaries of Lake Ontario in New York State. This time of year is significant not only for fishermen but also for the fish, as it coincides with the peak of the Chinook salmon run. During this period, a large number of Chinook and other salmon species migrate upstream to spawn, profoundly influencing the rivers they inhabit. The spawning activity, along with the subsequent deposition of eggs, creates prime conditions for egg drift fishing, making it a highly productive pursuit for anglers.
As autumn unfolds, the rivers become a hub of activity as migratory trout, including steelhead and brown trout, begin their spawning runs. By mid-October, the Chinook salmon will have been spawning for about two weeks, saturating the riverbed with their eggs. This heavy concentration of eggs attracts steelhead and brown trout, which, although focused on their own spawning activities, take full advantage of the plentiful food source. Many anglers fishing Lake Ontario and its tributaries, such as the Salmon River, find that fall fly fishing—particularly egg drift fishing—outperforms summer fishing.
The feeding opportunities in Lake Ontario’s tributaries during this time rival anything the fish experience in the Great Lakes. I’ve witnessed brown trout temporarily abandon their spawning activities to capitalize on the abundance of eggs, alternating between feeding and spawning in areas where egg concentrations are particularly high.
Steelhead, still several months away from their own spawning season, feel less urgency to migrate upstream. Consequently, these fish often linger in areas with abundant eggs, choosing to feed actively rather than continue their journey. The presence of a significant egg concentration can entice them to remain in one spot for several days, creating exciting fishing opportunities for anglers.
Although salmon fill the rivers during this season, egg drifts are not uniformly distributed throughout the waterways. Successful anglers must focus on localized areas where salmon are actively spawning. Identifying these hotspots is crucial, as they represent the locations where salmon dig up the riverbed to deposit their eggs, resulting in a rich supply of drifting eggs.
Prime gravel beds experience this spawning process multiple times, as new groups of salmon move upstream, continually saturating the river with fresh eggs. As the salmon dig into the riverbed, loose eggs are released into the current, leading to what I call an “egg drift.” This process creates a dynamic feeding environment for steelhead and brown trout, making it essential for anglers to locate these active spawning areas.
Understanding the mechanics of an egg drift is key for both seasoned fishermen and novice anglers. Unlike nymphs, which have the same density as water and can drift freely, salmon eggs are denser, causing them to sink to the river bottom and remain there. This design allows eggs to withstand the disturbances caused by spawning salmon, while nymphs tend to drift downstream when washed into the current.
An egg drift is best described as a “sub-drift,” with eggs rolling along the riverbed rather than being carried along by the current. Recognizing this difference can significantly enhance your effectiveness when drift fishing with egg patterns.
Locating optimal areas for egg drift fishing on Lake Ontario’s tributaries is relatively straightforward and does not require a fish finder. Start by identifying concentrations of spawning salmon and then focus your efforts in the slots and runs just below these spawning activities. These spots not only concentrate the eggs but also attract feeding fish, creating ideal conditions for egg drift fishing.
These productive locations can remain fruitful long after the salmon have finished spawning. During fluctuations in water levels, deep water flows will continue to wash eggs into these spots, making them excellent fishing opportunities even in the winter months. Brown trout and steelhead often mix with spawning salmon, offering exciting sight fishing chances. Observing the areas around actively spawning salmon can help you pinpoint feeding trout or other fish.
It’s important to remember that the density of salmon eggs plays a crucial role in their behavior in the water. Eggs are denser than water, which is why they sink to the river bottom and remain in place after being deposited by the fish. In contrast, nymphs, having the same density as water, can swim and crawl around the riverbed, making them more susceptible to being swept away by currents.
When eggs are dislodged during spawning, they will remain in contact with the river bottom, rolling along rather than drifting downstream like nymphs. Understanding this difference can greatly enhance your approach to drift fishing.
To effectively present egg flies while drift fishing, aim for a dead drift presentation. Anglers must consider a few key differences between fishing egg patterns and nymphs. When fishing for steelhead, it’s essential to drift egg flies much slower and closer to the river bottom than you would with nymphs.
A solid setup starts with a standard 10-foot, seven or eight-weight fly rod paired with a weight-forward floating fly line. The real secret lies in the leaders and tippets. I recommend using 10-foot tapered leaders with an additional three feet of tippet. A quality tapered leader aids in casting accuracy, ensuring that you place the fly in the right location. Keep the line weight above your tippet knot, placing the weight about three feet from the fly. This setup allows for effective control of the drift while keeping a safe distance from the fish.
In recent years, I have increasingly relied on strike indicators when fishing egg patterns. These indicators allow for better control of drift depth and direction, ensuring that the fly is presented optimally.
Setting up a strike indicator is simple: estimate the water depth you’re fishing and add one-third to that measurement. Remember that the distance you’re measuring is from the strike indicator to the weight, not to the fly itself. You may need to adjust this setup based on conditions, aiming for the strike indicator to occasionally indicate contact with the river bottom. A telltale sign of a fish strike is when the indicator experiences sudden jolts to the side; in these cases, be ready to set the hook.
The design of your fly can significantly impact success during drift fishing, especially in the low water flows typical of early fall. I prefer to keep my fly box simple, particularly when it comes to egg patterns. My go-to egg flies include the nuclear row bug, which I carry in three primary colors: Oregon cheese, chartreuse, and orange. I typically use sizes ranging from 12 to 8, favoring size 8 most often.
While glow bugs are popular among anglers, I’ve found them less effective during the lower water flows common in fall. However, I still carry a few in the aforementioned colors. As a rule, I prefer simplicity in my egg fly selection.
On those days when fish seem particularly fussy, I will adjust my drift fishing technique by downsizing my fly and opting for more natural colors. Over the years, I’ve learned that for many anglers, success often hinges not on the fly itself, but on how the fly is presented to the fish. Attention to detail in presentation can make all the difference when steelhead fly fishing in and around Lake Ontario and its tributaries.
Original Article By Jay Peck
Jay Peck is a fishing guide on the Lake Ontario tributaries. With 40+ years of fly fishing experience including 30 years as a licensed New York State guide, Jay has been applying his knowledge of the sport and local waters to help anglers in their pursuit of migratory fish, inland trout, and a variety of warm water species. Jay is also an accomplished spey caster and fly tyer. He has developed several fishing techniques and fly patterns for fishing the tributaries and inland trout streams. To learn more, check out Jay’s youtube channel, and get in touch with Jay at jaypeckguidesflyfishing.com.
This article has been revised by Daniel O’Neill, an experienced angler and writer, to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. As a result, it may no longer reflect the original author’s views or intentions.
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