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[dave c]

I have noticed from personal experience and from others I have spoken to, as well as Fred's site that the majority of fish have been taken in the afternoon.  It has been said that the water gets warmer in the afternoon and this is what triggers the hits.  While I am sure the water temperature does rise maybe a degree or two I don't believe that it  changes enough to make much of a difference.  I am not sure what makes the fish lose their lock jaw, but I am not sold on the idea that it is change in water temp.  Any thoughts.

[koifish]

they sleep in till the noon thats when they wake up lol

[dave c]

they sleep in till the noon thats when they wake up lol

I wonder if they woke up early today for the gold medal hockey game? 

[RyanB]

I have noticed from personal experience and from others I have spoken to, as well as Fred's site that the majority of fish have been taken in the afternoon.  It has been said that the water gets warmer in the afternoon and this is what triggers the hits.  While I am sure the water temperature does rise maybe a degree or two I don't believe that it  changes enough to make much of a difference.  I am not sure what makes the fish lose their lock jaw, but I am not sold on the idea that it is change in water temp.  Any thoughts.

For trout, cutthroat and stocked rainbow, it makes a huge difference in local lakes.  I can say that once it hits 8 or 9 degrees C, the fish become much more active.  Changing bait, lures, scents, etc has never worked for me at low temps.  I don't even bother if its below 6 degrees in the winter. 

I've also found it very difficult to hook any bottom fish at cold temps from the shore.  They must swim much deeper at the cold temps.  Dungeness crab don't seem to be affected by the low temps.

I'm planning on getting a kayak so I can get to deeper waters.

[dave c]

For trout, cutthroat and stocked rainbow, it makes a huge difference in local lakes.  I can say that once it hits 8 or 9 degrees C, the fish become much more active.  Changing bait, lures, scents, etc has never worked for me at low temps.  I don't even bother if its below 6 degrees in the winter. 

In the past when fishing Lake Ontario for steelhead and Chinook in the summer we would always use sounders and thermometers to find thermocline and fish that depth where fish are most comfortable and active.  This was in the summer months where surface temperatures were warm.  I am curious about Vedder, for steelhead as I doubt water temperature changes that drastically to make a difference throughout the day.  My personal opinion is that as the day wears on Steelhead either get annoyed at baits continuosly floating overhead and strike out of aggression or they are aware that within a few hours, darkness will fall, and decide to feed even though they are nocturnal and can feed at night if necessary.  I truly doubt water temperature has anything to do with it.

[BigFisher]

Steelhead turn on and off all day. Right place at right time and you will get them. Or your using the right presentation, Click! Or you presented it better then anyone else. You could call the first light fish the easy dumb one or anyone of the following.

[Fish Assassin]

A lot of people fish first light not because the steelheads are biting but to get to their favourite run before the masses arrive.

[Daguru]

Most of my fish are well past noon, but mostly because I can't wake up

[Toprod]

Quite often there's  a "shift change" around noon-1pm, a lot of folks leave the river after there morning fish.

This leaves lots of open water for those like myself who like to fish the afternoons, there is normally a good bite at some point later in the afternnon.

[4TheKids]

I find I tend to catch most of my fish when my hook is in the river.

[Pin-nook]

Steelhead turn on and off all day. Right place at right time and you will get them. Or your using the right presentation, Click! Or you presented it better then anyone else. You could call the first light fish the easy dumb one or anyone of the following.

Totally agree with BF, also if you give a spot a rest even after you missed a hit there's a good chance you get that fish to bite again.

Steelhead are weird fish though as they can be stupid most of the time and probably because they can be so aggressive. 1 day fishing with 2 buddies, all three of us hooked the same spawning big buck in 3 different spots in 1 hole on 3 different presentations within a 2 hour period.

I personally think right time at the right place plays more than what you are using. I've seen steelhead take the weirdest things even after prime roe or your typical steelheading baits could not entice a bite.

[Ian Forbes]

I had an afternoon nap and an oil massage, and then had a bite. Does that count?


Years ago (1960s) on the Cheakemus - Squamish in early April, a group of us Kingfishers pounded the rivers hard from before daylight until almost dark. There was usually a flurry of action early in the morning and then it would taper off to almost nothing during mid-day. Then, about 2:30 to 3:00 PM there would be more fish caught. It was a pattern that happened frequently enough to take notice of. I've seen similar results elsewhere. Of course, the Squamish system is noted for its late running steelhead, and water fluctuations due to snow pack run-off.