Tactics for fall rainbows

[will]

I fish for rainbows every spring with limited success but have never tried for them in the fall. I was just wondering if you fish for them the same way or if not how do most people fish for them? Im hoping to get out and try for some this year.

Thanks, Will

[browntrout12]

If you are fishing in a boat troll in 10 to 15 feet of water with rapalas or ac schiners

[Steelhunter]

I fish fall rainbows and i fish them same all year long. Floating roe always works for me. Now i dont always get fish but thats fishing. The quality of your roe is the key. I have tried many ways to cure my roe. I found they all work but some better than others. Where were you planning on fishing?

[burtonkidd]

On Saturday we left Hamilton at 3am got to the mouth of the Beaver in Thornbury at 6am. Fished till 11am not one bite. You can see them jumping and swimming in front of you. but they wouldn't bite. I was floating roe, bow and salmon (switching back and forth) and my buddy was using a worm blown' up. I think one guy caught a bow with in the 5 hour period.

[will]

Thanks for all the info guys... I guess i really should have specified; I'll probably be doing all my fishing in the notty, but theres a chance i may be able to get out to the lake in a kayak if the chances are better there.

[Steelhunter]

Where abouts in the notty?

[will]

Pretty much anywhere... dont get out very much and dont really know the river to well so I just try to time it according to the big rains and stuff for salmon. Sometimes Ill paddle to where willow creek flows in to the notty, sometimes Ill fish at the rail trussel. Time is always limited so I rarely get the chance to try to go out and find new spots. Ive never fished above the boyne river and never below edenvale.

[admin]

For the Nottawasaga River, I find the steelhead quite scattered and very much hit and miss. Float fish the slower deeper pools with spawn. Try to get the float to drift near wood and debris, the bows like to hide there. Try natural coloured spawn in clear/low water. Orange and chartreuse in stained higher water.

[krae]

Fall steelhead are usually a lot more aggressive when they enter the rivers... they are chrome silver and pounding back roe from the spawning salmon... I usually use a larger roe bag this time of year to get their attention... sometimes the size of a quarter or loonie depending what river i'm on... also floating worms, plastic pink worms and nymph flies under a float works well too.

[will]

Thanks guys. If I get out this weekend Ill let you know how I do

[Nish-fishin]

Hey Will,

I know its kinda late, but I used to fish Notty, Credit and Bronte all the time in fall and spring, roe always worked great, but when it was slow I always had some small panther martins waiting,, they worked great as well,, but small was key!!! hope things are going good for ya Will,,, long time no hear,,,hard water is coming soon though!!! yeehaa!!

[Knuguy]

I'm fairly new to the Wasaga Beach area and I'm trying to figure out rainbows as well. I caught a couple last fall on lures, Little Cleo and 5 of Diamonds, but have caught none on roe. I've mostly been using roes this year because that's what everybody tells me works best. I just have a reg spinning reel and an 8 ft rod. I've tried float fishing with roe but I guess my technique is not very good--it's difficult to keep a little bit of tensiion on the line so that the float slows down and the roe plus sinkers go downstream ahead of the float. That's the technique I've read about on-line anyway. Maybe some fish are hitting but with some slack in the line I haven't felt them. Anyway, not a single hit despite several outings.

I'm reluctant to but a centerpin reel and a 10-14 ft rod. Then I noticed that quite a few fishermen were using bottom bouncing with spin reels and roe. I've now tried that several times as well w/o a single strike. Part of the problem might be poor timing. I find it very hard to get out for sunup like many folks seem to do---I've mostly been fishing midday. I've had a couple of hits when I did try the lures again, but if roe is a lot more effective under most conditions I'd like to 'get in on the action'l.

Any tips?

Sign me 'frustrated in Wasaga!"

[sdcaller]

Hey Knuguy
I've been fishing at Wasaga since 1999 and I'm frustrated this year as well.
I've trolled the river and I've trolled in the Bay with no success.
I've done a bit of roe fishing at the mouth, also with no success.
I don't have time to boat fish this week, but I plan to do some roe fishing from shore at the mouth. I will be using the "egg sinker " technique with roe bags with floaters mixed in.
Most years, the best fishing is in the early morning. This year any fish I saw caught on roe, it was early morning, when I was launching my boat.

There is not much float fishing done at the mouth, most of that action takes place up stream.
I'm assuming you now how to fish with egg sinkers. If not, put up a post and I or someone else will explain it to you.
SDC

[Knuguy]

Thx Sdcaller.

I've seen the set-up folks use for still fishing with egg sinkers. I'd find that standing around boring.

I understand that rapalas and ac shiners are good for trolling. If you want somebody to go boat fishing with sometime and share the costs pls let me know.
thx

[Steelhunter]

The Notty can be frustrating it demands you put in your time before she will reward you. I fished for a few seasons before it finally rewarded me.I float fish 90 percent of the time but occasionaslly sink roe as well.I havent been out to much this year but for the past couple of falls always had at least 1 fish a day. Some days there were multiple fish. It takes time to read the river and present your roe just rite. Take notice of seasoned anglers and if you are polite they may give you some tips. An older gentelman has been very informative to me and my fish counts have risen over the years of his tutorial. It also has alot to do with your roe.I have experimented alot and someties it works and sometimes it doesnt.All i can say is you need to start with the basics. A spinning reel and 8 foot rod will work for u to get started .Just keep your line to your float as tight as possible dont let river make your float move to fast or to slow drift at same speed as current of river natural speed is best But my biggest suggestion is early mornig. Always catch my fish before 10. Put your time in and keep your eyes open and you will get rewarded fishing roe.