It’s been a long summer, and the Shack Nasties are getting to you. Cooler nights where you leave your bedroom windows open, dew on the grass in the morning, hardwood leaves beginning to change color, and maybe a few spurts of precipitation, all signal phenological changes in the environment that tell you it’s time to get hooked up with some steelhead. The fact remains, though, that for the last couple of seasons on Steelhead Alley, water conditions have been extremely poor. Even the largest tributaries have had half the volume and flow of water in what would normally be perceived as low water conditions. Things were drastic, with good guides canceling many of their trips. Yet, even though the last couple of seasons will hopefully be an anomaly, steelheaders throughout the Great Lakes will at some time or another be faced with low, clear water conditions during any part of the season. The following are a few of the techniques and tackle requirements I’ve learned over the last 25 years that should help you stick more fish in the net under these conditions.
