The saugeen is low right now but there should be some fish. Should be enough water to float. Even better if it rains.

The Maitland is another issue. Until we get the fall rains there is no water there. There's currently more rocks than water. Not fishable or floatable. If rain comes the fish will follow. Last year there wasn't any water until just before Christmas then the season closed. You can walk/wade below the hiway all year.

Addition:
Another option would be the Grand. I assume it's also pretty low but should be fishable and floatable.

 

Dan,

Me too. I know that these rivers are very low. We are hoping for rain just like here in BC.
Thanks

 

I spoke with a friend who lived in the area over the weekend. It sounds like the Maitland is too low.

 

I’m praying for rain.

 

I'm confused. If you're in BC wouldn't you have more options there? I assume there's other reasons to be in Ontario...

If low water there's also Georgian Bay rivers. Some are spate but others have water all the time but relatively difficult to figure out compared to the Huron rivers you mentioned.

 

I'm confused. If you're in BC wouldn't you have more options there? I assume there's other reasons to be in Ontario...

If low water there's also Georgian Bay rivers. Some are spate but others have water all the time but relatively difficult to figure out compared to the Huron rivers you mentioned.

I'm confused. If you're in BC wouldn't you have more options there? I assume there's other reasons to be in Ontario...

If low water there's also Georgian Bay rivers. Some are spate but others have water all the time but relatively difficult to figure out compared to the Huron rivers you mentioned.

WRX,

You are correct. We were booked for a Bulkley River trip this fall but the the test fishery returns were so dreadful that we cancelled. Steelhead runs into the major tributaries flowing into Lake Huron are still robust. That is why we changed plans and are going to fish the Bruce Peninsula. My partners live in Toronto and continually make me jealous when they report weekend catches of salmon, steelhead, muskies and even Atlantic salmon. As an added bonus, dining opportunities in Port Elgin and the surrounding area are excellent and a real treat and they are in 'Beaver Bucks' not 'Maxi-dollars'.

 

By November, there is a very good chance that the Saugeen will have floatable water and fishable numbers of steelhead all the way up to Walkerton. The way things have been going in recent years, there is a good chance that the Maitland will not have enough water in November to float, or even find a run that provides a decent swing. It's a very fickle spate river that even the locals can have trouble keeping on top of. During dry falls like this one, the Maitland can drop so fast after a heavy rain that it can make your head spin.

We are currently experiencing a major drought that has lasted for weeks, Pray for rain and check back with us a week or so before your flight if you're looking for advice on setups and best sections to float. Generally I would say Scandi, small subtle flies, and light or medium poly leaders work great during low water conditions. Skagit (or preferably Wintertide) T tips and large profile shanks or tubes are preferred by most if the rivers are high and stained. Those two rivers (when they are in shape) are just smaller/kinder/gentler versions of the Bulkley minus the stunning scenery. Anything that you use there will work here (except maybe waking dry flies - you have to go to the Grand if you're into that and even there it gets low percentage by November).
Good luck

Larry

 

Larry,

Thanks so much for the info! It's the same situation in BC; wait for rain.

Your technique description is precisely how I prefer to fish. When we drifted the Maitland a few years ago, most of our fishing was on foot. What the Maitland offered was some of the most beautiful riparian scenes that I have ever experienced. During our one drift, I spent most of my time swinging my inflatable in circles just viewing the spectacular riverscape.

The other river we visited was the Bighead River on shanks mare. It was loaded with steelhead that were parked in pocket water. Needless to say we both had a lot of fun.

 

Your technique description is precisely how I prefer to fish. When we drifted the Maitland a few years ago, most of our fishing was on foot. What the Maitland offered was some of the most beautiful riparian scenes that I have ever experienced. During our one drift, I spent most of my time swinging my inflatable in circles just viewing the spectacular riverscape.

The other river we visited was the Bighead River on shanks mare. It was loaded with steelhead that were parked in pocket water. Needless to say we both had a lot of fun.

The lower Maitland (when its in shape) with its ledge rock pools and runs looks and fishes more like an east coast Atlantic salmon river than a west coast steelhead river - especially nice when its running high and blue-clear - something it hasn't done in a while due to lack of water. The Bighead is a typical Georgian Bay spate river that can produce silly numbers of fish if you hit it right. I loved it during my centre pin days (over 25 years ago). Not as much now because it's not a great river to swing.

I've got a cabin in Southampton and will be hitting the Saugeen a lot when its worth it. Look me up.

Larry

 

I have sent flies to a guy who fishes the saugeen for several years! The 'green witch' Tsunami Munker is just a lights out pattern for that system. He was coming behind guides floating beads and puckimg their pockets with that fly. Something to think about!
Come to think of it, I've caught steelhead on every Great Lakes trib I've fished on that pattern. I think it's more the colors than anything:
•predominantly all Black with copper and Kelly green flash accents

 

I have sent flies to a guy who fishes the saugeen for several years! The 'green witch' Tsunami Munker is just a lights out pattern for that system. He was coming behind guides floating beads and puckimg their pockets with that fly. Something to think about!
Come to think of it, I've caught steelhead on every Great Lakes trib I've fished on that pattern. I think it's more the colors than anything:
•predominantly all Black with copper and Kelly green flash accents

Hoper fly


thankyou for the tip. I will try a few ‘green witches’.

Joe

 

My 2¢, Good place to start until it really rains alot: about size 2 flies on slow sink polys or long mono/floru leaders IMO.

 

There are several sections you can drift from Walkerton down to Southampton,. When I was starting out scouting runs and float stretches I found the Bruce County GIS mapping program to be a valuable resource for finding suitable steelhead water. I find the 2010 map to have the most detail regarding the river bed. (https://maps.brucecounty.on.ca/Geocortex/Html5Viewer/index.html?viewer=BruceMaps). If you are in the Walkerton area stop by the fly/tackle shop, Junction 4&19 and Tyler will steer you in the right direction as well if you need.

For flies, natural colours like olive/brown/white/blacks and generally not too large will produce well.

Intermediate polys and lightly weighted flies have been producing up to this point. But by November, you may need to get the fly down in the zone more if you want to maximize your success. Skagit heads and mow tips from 5/5 to 10’ t11 or multitip lines with 15’ type 3,6 or 8. are historically what I’ve had success with at that time but it is obviously very flow dependent.

I wouldn’t worry about numbers or where they might be located as they have been spread through the system for a couple of weeks now and will only be getting better. As others mentioned we need some heavy rains badly, it would help spread people out to other systems. The river has been very busy as it is one of the only rivers around with reliable fishing and swingable water at the moment, so be prepared to share the water with others. Lots of time for conditions to change though!

 

Danny,

Thanks for your input. I was just going through my spey tips and will definitely bring MOW tips too. The GIS map suggestion is super and we will stop at that fly shop.

Joe