We’re less than three weeks away from trout opener here in Southern Ontario, and this season is shaping up to be a great one!
Why are we so excited? This spring has been cool, wet, and even snowy at times, those conditions are setting us up for what could be a phenomenal opener—both for steelhead and resident trout.
Right now, the ground is saturated after our snow melt and we've had good rain on top of that, which will keep our rivers flush with water to start off the season. Rivers that were nearly in drought by opener in years past will be flowing well! All of this means better conditions, more active fish, and a longer window to take advantage of incredible fishing!
Last year by opener, our Great Lakes steelhead had mostly headed back to the lake and were long gone before we could encounter them on our waters. This year with our cooler spring, their spawning is going to be slightly delayed leaving tons of fish in the river for us to chase. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to steelheading, this year is going to be a heck of a great spring so make sure you have time booked off to get on the water!
With all that said, we don't know what the remainder of spring will bring! Warm temps may be on the way for May, which could shorten our trout and steelhead fishing windows, so as always, dont wait!!
We’ve put together a list of our favorite setups for spring fishing, which you can find below. If you need help choosing the right gear or figuring out where to fish, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d be happy to help you get dialed in for the season.
What to Expect This Opener - Steelhead
Expect higher water, which typically makes for easier fishing—less spooky fish and more opportunities to hook into fresh steelhead. Many steelhead are still spawning, so there should be good numbers around, giving anglers plenty of action. While higher water spreads fish out in a system, they are more at home and far less prone to spooking. Yes, it may take a bit more time to locate fish, but when you do they'll be relaxed and more likely to take a fly!
What to Expect This Opener - Trout
With lots of cooler water, we're planning to fish a lot of streamers and larger nymphs around opener, things that will get the attention of fish in higher flows and represent a good sized meal. Dries should kick into action within the first 1-2 weeks of the season as temperatures start to warm up a bit. Higher water means fish are less spooky, this is your prime opportunity to get into big fish.
To most effectively target trout in higher flows with streamers, we won't fish without a sinking line option, sinking lines get your flies into the zone and keep them there longer for the fish to find them. A dedicated streamer line like the SA Sink Tip is ideal, but another great option is the Airflo Streamer Poly Leader - just carry it in your pocket until you need it and loop it onto your existing floating line.
If you're nymphing, make sure to pack some heavier nymphs and split shot to get your flies down! A mix of worms , big stoneflies, eggs , and hotspot nymphs will all work very well. If you're using an indicator, opt for something that can suspend a bit of weight, like the Airlock Centerlock indicators .
As we get closer to trout opener we'll have a better sense for what temperatures and river levels will be doing and will provide a more specific forecast including fly recomendations, make sure to follow our newsletters for more updates!
Gear Up for Success
If your gear needs a refresh, now’s the perfect time to upgrade. Whether it’s a new rod, reel, or simply fresh line for the season, stop by and chat with us—we’ll make sure you’re set up for success this spring. Remember that we're still offering buy one get one free on most Scientific Anglers leaders and tippet!
Make the most of this one! Mark your calendar, plan your weekends, and get ready for what looks to be an unforgettable trout opener. We hope to see you out there soon!
