The temperature was in the upper 40’s at daybreak. Elk Creek is now clear and running very slow. The early morning bite was best, and the remainder of the day was fair. The Steelhead are sharing the stream with smallmouth bass, carp, suckers, sheepshead, and smolts. It is getting crowded, and you can see fish swirling on the surface throughout the day. Millions of emerald shiners have moved into the stream. Bass are chasing the bait fish, and the minnows fly into the air or onto the shore when the bass make a rush at them.

 

I caught fish on jigs in the early morning. Later in the day, I managed to catch four fish on single eggs. For me that was a “banner day” fishing single eggs. I missed more than I hooked. Nearly all the fish were jacks. A few measured 22” and weighted about 4 pounds. I did manage to catch one that barely fit into my small landing net.

 

Steelhead  are working the gravel beds, and you can see dozens of fish attempting to spawn in the shallow water.

 

Nearly everyone on Elk Creek had caught at least one smallmouth. 

 

I managed to get an early morning video of the action. I lost the first four fish to break- offs before finally landing one. 

 

I also took some photos of the water conditions and the spawning Steelhead.

This morning on Elk Creek started well. I caught a fresh, 6# Steelhead on my second cast using a green head jig with a black marabou body. By 7:30 a.m. I managed to catch three more, and I missed a few. The sun came up. As soon as the sunlight hit the water and from that point on, I struggled to get any hits for the next four hours. Other guys using minnows were doing better. A few fish were caught on lures too. The “bluebird” sky and clear water was perfect for fishing single salmon eggs, and the anglers using them were doing well. I have never mastered the art of fishing single eggs, and I spent a fishless hour proving that point.

 

I walked up stream, met a few guys, and spent some time watching and photographing other people catching fish. Some anglers are so skilled at catching Steelhead that they make it look too easy.  

I took a movie of Mike catching a nice steelhead. Like me, he was struggling to figure out what to use. He hooked and lost a fish on a minnow. I did the same with a jig.  He then went to single eggs and hooked up. I then got out the camera.

 

 

I also took a short video clip at daybreak. No fish catching - just morning sounds and a few deer walking along the stream.  It is a relaxing reminder of God's creation, and why I love to fish.

I also caught one smallmouth bass. I am sure it is the first of many more to come as the water warms.

 

Over the next few days, the weather will be moderated and temperatures will reach into the 70’s by Friday. 

I got a few pictures of Elk Creek, and a short video of Walnut Creek and Elk Creek. The streams are on the clear side, but they looked very fishable. Upper Elk Creek is producing stocked brown trout and a few Steelhead “leftovers.”  As the weather warms this week, the fishing action should improve.