Ontario Fall Steelhead: Get Ready Now Before It's Too Late
- Matt Martin
- Sep 28
- 5 min read
The leaves haven’t fully turned yet, and there’s still a bit of summer’s warmth clinging to the afternoons—but make no mistake, Ontario’s fall steelhead season is coming in hot. If you’re anything like me, you’re already tying flies, rigging up, and checking the long-range weather forecasts like it’s game day. But here’s the thing: the best fall steelhead anglers aren’t just the best casters or the ones with the nicest boats—they’re the ones who prepare early.
Every year I watch as anglers rush to local shops in October, only to find that everything they need is sold out. Don’t be that person this year. Whether you're a dedicated walk-and-wader or joining me on my raft for a day of drifting Ontario's legendary Great Lakes tributaries, now’s the time to stock your kit. Let’s run through the essentials you should grab now, before shelves are bare and your season gets off to a slow, gear-chasing start.
✅ 1. New Fly Line — Treat Yourself, It’s Worth It
If you’re planning to nymph for fall steelhead (and you should be), your fly line is the heart of your rig. A worn-out or poorly matched line can wreck your drifts before they even start.
I recommend grabbing an indicator-specific line, like the Scientific Anglers Anadro Nymph. It’s my personal favorite and has been my go-to for seasons now. Here’s why:
It turns over heavy indicator rigs with ease — no tailing loops, no limp casts.
The slick coating makes it an absolute dream for mending and stack mending.
It loads rods beautifully for roll casts and water-loaded chucking.
It just straight-up helps you fish better.
If you’re on the fence about dropping money on a new line, let me say this: good line equals more fish, especially when precise drifts and subtle takes are the name of the game.
✅ 2. Leaders & Tippet — Prepping Now Saves Headaches Later
Don’t wait until you’re in the parking lot, tying on the last 2 feet of crusty mono you found in your vest.
If you’re a fan of store-bought tapered leaders, go ahead and stock up on some 9-12 ft, 0X leaders. They’re strong enough for big fish but still subtle in the water.
Personally? I build my own. If you’re into homemade leaders, you’ll want:
16 lb nylon (for your butt section)
10–12 lb nylon (for your midsection and to the swivel)
I love homemade leaders because everything below the indicator is thin and level, meaning:
Your flies sink faster.
Your indicator is more responsive.
You get fewer micro-drag issues.
For tippet, grab some fluorocarbon spools in the 7–8 lb range. You’ll want that abrasion resistance and invisibility in clear fall flows. Fluoro might cost a bit more, but it’s a game-changer when fish are spooky.
✅ 3. Terminal Tackle — Tiny Details, Big Differences
Fly anglers love to obsess about flies and rods but often overlook the tiny pieces of gear that hold your whole rig together. Here’s what I recommend grabbing before it's gone:
Micro Swivels: Raven Tackle makes great ones in sizes from XS to XXXS. These are legit. They:
Prevent line twist on two-fly rigs.
Act as a controlled break point, so if your tippet snaps, you don’t lose your whole leader, splitshot, and indicator.
Are strong enough to handle legit steelhead, no worries there.
Splitshot: You’ll need plenty of BB and AB size shot to get your flies into the zone. I prefer dull or matte-colored shot — bright silver can spook fish, especially in low, clear water.
Get a few packs. You’ll go through more than you think, especially when the water gets pushy and you're running deep rigs.
✅ 4. Flies — Keep It Simple, Keep It Deadly
When it comes to fall steelhead, the mantra is simple: don’t overthink it.
Stick to these basics:
Egg Patterns:
Colors: Orange, pink, chartreuse, white, yellow
Get a mix of tungsten bead and unweighted versions to adapt to flow depth and speed.
Worm Flies:
Color is key: Pink, chartreuse, natural brown
Deadly after rain when the rivers are stained.
Stoneflies:
Sizes #6–#8
Black or dark brown, classic fall standby.
Streamers & Minnow Imitations:
Think white death zonkers, small woolly buggers, and sculpin-y stuff.
Excellent when fish are aggressive or when you’re exploring fresh water.
Glass or Resin Beads:
Ok, they stretch the definition of “fly,” but c’mon — they work.
Represent single salmon eggs perfectly.
Great in clear flows, with hyper-realism that fish can’t ignore.
Keep your box simple, but stocked. Better to have 10 patterns in the right colors and weights than 50 random bugs.
✅ 5. Strike Indicators — Call Them Bobbers, We Don’t Judge
Indicators are your eyes under water. A few bad ones can ruin your drifts, miss subtle takes, and just generally make your day harder.
I’m loving the Oros indicators this season. Here’s how I run them:
Medium Oros: Ideal for lower flows, subtle presentations, and finesse rigs.
Large Oros: Perfect for higher water, deep rigs with 3–4 splitshot, and when visibility matters.
Pro tip: Always keep a few extras. Drop one in the river and it’s usually gone for good.
✅ 6. Dress for the Weather — Because Steelhead Don’t Care If You’re Cold
Let’s be real: Fall steelhead season in Ontario can feel like winter, especially during those frosty early mornings.
Stock up on these essentials now:
Wool socks (several pairs — don’t skimp)
Gloves — something that lets you fish without freezing your fingertips off
Toques/beanies — obviously
Wool base layers — nothing beats merino for warmth and comfort
Fleece mid-layers — medium to heavy depending on your cold tolerance
Synthetic or down jacket — under your waders and wading jacket
Gore-Tex or waterproof shell — don’t leave home without it
For those seriously cold days, I swear by heated socks and a heated vest. Yeah, it might sound excessive, but when it’s -5°C and you’ve been rowing and netting fish all day, that extra warmth can be the difference between loving the day and cursing your life choices.
If you're fishing once a week, you might tough it out. But if you're out there guiding day after day like I am, gear that keeps you warm isn’t luxury—it’s survival.
Wrapping It Up — Let’s Go!
I can’t wait to get back on the oars, rowing my raft down my favorite Ontario steelhead runs. There’s something about that first frost in the air, the sight of big chrome fish holding in the tailouts, and the sound of a screaming reel when a guest connects with a 12-pound buck fresh from the lake.
It’s not just fishing—it’s a fall ritual. And I love every second of it.
A quick heads-up before you go:
October is fully booked, so if you were planning on squeezing in a fall float, that ship has sailed.
Only 4 days left in November — these will go fast.
Don’t overlook early December: The water stabilizes, fish group up, and those big, wild Great Lakes steelhead start to really show themselves. Fish over 10–12 lbs are common, and the fishing is often less pressured.
So don’t wait. Get your gear in order, book your dates, and make a pit stop at Drift Outfitters
to grab everything you need — from lines and leaders to flies and indicators.
Fall steelhead season is nearly here. Be ready when it is.
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