I just spent a couple of days on the Salmon River in NY. It was my second trip up but my first in the fall season. After some tinkering to get good drifts and practice reading the water, I manged three hookups on Wednesday. I expected a fight but these things surprised me with how incredibly strong and determined they are. I was able to net one small native rainbow and had two steelhead right at my feet and broke them off before I could get a hold of them. Since this was largely a learning trip, here are some of the lessons I learned:

1. Felt soles suck and Korkers rule

2. Fair weather in November brings out the hordes

3. Hooking a steelhead doesn't mean you've caught them

4. Center pin fishing is THE way to float fish

5. The bait monkey is going on a feeding frenzy

6. My wife is in for a rude awakening if she still thinks fishing season ends this month

Welcome to the Darkside.

Those guys fight unlike anything else I've ever caught. Guys catch 20+ pounders up here every winter and I can't help but keep trying to join the club.

Love it. Steelies are a ton of fun on the Lakes, but real steel on the Coast is where it's at.

I will get up to the Lakes a couple times this winter to fish, and it never fails to be an amazing time.

I went out for winter steelies today. First trip of the season. Our weather has been unusually dry and cold so the water was very low and clear. No fish caught and none seen and this river has been very good to me in the past. Slow low water meant jig and bobber. As soon as we get some rain.....LOOK OUT.

Steelhead are very addicting! Just nice to be out this time of year, and when you hook into something like a steelhead, its just amazing. It is also some of the most beautiful fishing you will find. good luck out there, and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Nice! I have always wanted to fish for them, perhaps someday I will. Congrats to you!

Cool! I'm going to give them a shot too. I've heard countless tales of the conversion you experienced.