Low Water Pinning?

[DaveP]

At least in WNY (not sure about other Great Lakes fisheries), on non-hydro-controlled water we're dealing with *really* low water conditions, particularly on smaller water. (e.g. on my "home" water, the current flow is at 50% of what I would consider "good" and at 65% of what I would consider "low")

For my efforts, when faced with really low water I'll head to larger pockets behind boulders and to other haunts that don't fish well during normal or high water. It paid off well for me earlier this week and I'm hoping that strategy pays off tomorrow. I do find it rather tricky fishing behind boulders with the pin. I attribute it to lack of pin experience - tips would be appreciated.

I'd love to hear from folks who have more pin experience ..when faced with really low water conditions on smaller creeks & streams, what do you change in terms of location, rigging, presentation, offerings, etc?

[rico1042]

We're lucky enough to have a variety of streams. When the small and medium tribs are too low, head to bigger water. Fishing to visible fish seems unethical in my book. Kinda like a form of harassment. There's always fishable water in WNY, except when everything is blown out.

[DaveP]

We're lucky enough to have a variety of streams. When the small and medium tribs are too low, head to bigger water. Fishing to visible fish seems unethical in my book. Kinda like a form of harassment. There's always fishable water in WNY, except when everything is blown out.

Thanks for the comments. We're not talking sight-fishing. I don't mind sight-fishing, but I won't fish to fish on redds.

I guess I should have clarified. I've chased steelhead for ~30 years on WNY tribs. I know where to find these fish under darn near every condition (and know when to just stay home). There are times when I have just an hour to get a line wet. If I head to other water, there's no point due to the amount of time it takes to get there, walk in, and start drifting. If I were using a fly rod, there wouldn't be much of a question (though I'm always up for learning something new!).

What I'm looking for is a discussion on where folks with more pin experience tend to find fish and how they rig their pin setups under these very low water conditions.

[rico1042]

In that case: Look for deep, narrow cuts, with broken surface water. Fish look for the camouflage that broken water provides. Stack shot to get it down.

[Tot'edup]

I do find it rather tricky fishing behind boulders with the pin. I attribute it to lack of pin experience - tips would be appreciated.

Just cast above and beyond, tighten it up and force it to find the seam.
Should suck right in behind If its the correct lie.. once found, check it hard and let the shot settle in on a high rod with all the line off the water, hold it in there till forced to trot it out -repeat...

Center pin is the tool for fishing spot specific holding water.
It's not about a long drift it's about the 'spot' . They won't be 20' behind it.

[DaveP]

Just cast above and beyond, tighten it up and force it to find the seam.
Should suck right in behind If its the correct lie.. once found, check it hard and let the shot settle in on a high rod with all the line off the water, hold it in there till forced out, trot it out -repeat...

Center pin is the tool for fishing spot specific holding water.
It's not about a long drift it's about the 'spot' . They won't be 20' behind it.

This is why I love discussing these things ...while completely obvious because that's what I'd do with a fly, I had also *completely* written that off as reasonable for exactly the reason you cite; the "long drift".

In that respect, I suppose I should shorten the shot line a bit, shorten the leader a bit, and choose a float with a long "tail" and cigar-esque shape?
Since you're working slack behind a rock, do you find you want more weight stacked low on the shot line, or some other configuration?

[Tot'edup]

I always 'shirt button' shot.
It may not be be spread way out in That situation, but always the same, Just tighten it up untill it's right...your on the right track

I like avon style floats with' tails' when really being spot specific, you can watch the angle of the float as a tell to what the hook is doing.
You know what doing by the sound of it, Time is all you need.

[DaveP]

I always 'shirt button' shot.
It may not be be spread way out in That situation, but always the same, Just tighten it up untill it's right...your on the right track

I like avon style floats with' tails' when really being spot specific, you can watch the angle of the float as a tell to what the hooks is doing.
You know what doing by the sound of it, Time is all you need.

Thanks ..heading out today (with a little snow in the air!) - I'll give it a whirl and we'll see what happens. We haven't had any rain this week, so our flows are down another 10% over where they were on Monday. I know there's fish to be had, though.

[Tot'edup]

Finesse is your word for today then bro!
I'd hang a #12 from 4# test, and a smidge of skein thru an eggloop
Pic's are nice?

[DaveP]

Finesse is your word for today then bro!
I'd hang a #12 from 4# test, and a smidge of skein thru an eggloop
Pic's are nice?

How's about a #10 from 4# with two-egg sacks. Always have the camera nearby ..can't always grab a shot though.



..there's one from 28th of October this year. Really messed up gillplate, but came out of a low-odds spot to land steelhead from. (rod handle is 19.5" long)

[Tot'edup]

That'll work too!

With the reel in a work position, I like the butt right to the end of forearm at the elbow.
Are you like 6' 7" tall? Mines only 16 1/2"
Sure doesn't look like like your having problems with a pin...
Ron-

Edit- I see overall is 19+, Yup That's about right...

[DaveP]

Holy. Freaking. #$(*.

Ron, I owe you a beer - or 10. Next time you're heading toward Rochester, NY ..PM me to collect.

Hit the water from 11a-2:30p. Picked up the two smallish chromers below and 18 browns, from 9"-18". Everything came out from small slots and pockets. It was utterly ridiculous. I saw one other person with one fish on - his first of the day, and it was a salmon (wasn't fighting like it was fair-hooked, though). Only heard of two other fish being caught. Nobody was fishing the water I was working.

Shortening everything (shot line, leader), loading up with ~4g shot (AB's & BB's) and using a Raven 4.2g FM float worked flawlessly. 4# leader, #10 hooks, two-egg sacks. I broke off more leaders than normal, but it was well worth it.





Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

[Equinox]

This is the best post I've read on here in a while. Just like it's supposed to be !!!

Great job on everyone involved.

[Tot'edup]

Great Job!
Just settle down a little at the hook set, No need to get all worked up. Just give em a little back spin till they work themselves out... High bouncing rod tip, once they hit the current turn your rod downriver and towards your bank and tighten up good.
I see you can do the rest

Ya, your a little outta the way for me being in Mich, But Thanks for the offer.
Ron-