Ah, winter. To some people it is a time to ski down a hill, or pull the dust cover off the snowmobile. For me, it is my favorite time of year to hit the rivers around my hometown in Michigan. Sure it is a little cold outside, and there are days when fishing just isn't in the cards. But there are those days when the fishing is epic, and those are the days worth living for.

There are two basic types of winter river fishing. A good way to think about it is to compare camping in a tent versus camping in a motor home. I'm referring to shore/wade fishing versus using a boat.

Shore/wade fishing is a good way to take on a river, especially if you don't have a boat or are unfamiliar with using one on a river. I don't think winter is the time to become familiar either. If you know good spots that can be easily accessed via wading, then you're set. If you're short on good spots to fish, well, it is really beautiful and peaceful that time of year. As far as clothing goes, layering is the way to go with as much waterproof protection as you can muster. For waders, you'll want neoprene and thick neoprene too. I'd even suggest you go for a solid pair of waterfowl hunting waders, as you'll get more abrasion resistance. Remember there will be some shore ice, which can cut through weak waders like a knife. They're pretty warm too.

I, myself, like going out in a boat. I'll also admit that I'm a bit of a cheater because I usually go out with a buddy who has a heated cabin on his river boat. The same basic rules apply for boat fishing clothing as the shore guys. Dress warm in layers, and have some waterproof protection. Fishing from a boat is good because you get to run as many spots as you want, but you need to be careful when running a boat in winter. If you head downstream, make sure there isn't a lot of shore ice. If there is, go slow. Remember the water will be flowing to you when you stop and if your wake breaks loose a lot of ice, you're fishing is basically over. You'll never keep a line in the water, and all you'll catch is frustration. Remember too that sometimes water levels change with winter so you need to take it easy. That sandbar you easily cleared in the summer may be a bit shallower than you remembered.

As for gear, shore guys use pretty much the same gear they'd use any other time of year. Long, noodle-type rods are the way to go to get the leverage they'll need on these hard-fighting fish. You're going to want a good, abrasion-resistant line too. The name of the game here is finesse. One of my favorite techniques is floating spawn under a bobber through slow holes and pockets. Hits will be light but the fight will be ferocious.

From the boat you can fish spawn too, but I like to pull plugs behind the boat. The technique here is to run a series of plugs behind the boat, using the flow of the water to provide action to the lure. Many anglers drag an anchor and use oars to maneuver the boat backwards through a hole. You're going to want a good, stout rod with enough backbone to keep a fish headed your way. I usually run 7-1/2 foot rods in the medium to medium-heavy range. I also run heavier line than I would from shore because I know I'm going to hit snags. A good, telescoping lure retriever is a must have item because you will hit snags, and you will hit them often. Winter steelhead aren't just lying out in the open, they're on structure, and lures cost too much to lose a bunch each time you go out.

Speaking of lures, this depends on the water temp, the water clarity, the flow speed, and good old personal preference. Some of the favorites are Brad's Wigglers, Flatfish and Flatfish-styled lures, and Hot-n-Tots, especially the original metal-lipped models. Some small spoons work well too, as will an occasional in-line spinner. Most of the time a metallic color works best. Gold is always a good color, as is chrome/silver. On days when the water is cloudy, try your fluorescents. Water temperature is important in lure selection too, more so than you may think. As the water temp gets closer to the freezing mark, your lures should get smaller. A slower action may be better too. Remember, you're getting two basic types of strikes. One out of anger and territorialism and the other is purely instinctual. When the temperature of the water goes down a bit, the strike usually goes from a bone-jarring, how-can-I-hold-onto-the-rod hit, to a softer series of taps or a light tug.

One other tip that I'll pass along is that I'll often modify the lure just to change things up a bit. Try the lure as it is for a while and if you like the action and are seeing success, don't change it. If things aren't going well, try doing things such as changing hook size or removing one of the hooks if you're using a double hook plug. If the fish are seeing the same lure with the same action over and over again, it is time to change things up a bit. Along with that is the need for the bait to run true. Rivers tend to be pretty unforgiving to mistakes so if the bait isn't running right, it'll cost you fish. You want it to run straight and true. Consult the packaging of the lure for instructions on tuning your bait. You'll be much happier.

As for boat set-up, if you're an experienced river angler, you'll already know that anchors are going to be a little out of the norm. Most river savvy boaters run a "clump" of heavy chain such as railway chain or marine anchor chain. I'm talking about huge links of chain here. The weight will be heavy enough to hold the boat in current, and the flexibility is there to keep the anchor out of most snags. A lot of river boats run the anchor on a winch system of some sort. Most of the guys that I fish with have an ATV winch set up for the anchor, and it works well. A rocker switch near the console or navigation area works because then the anchor can be set with the motor still running. Plus a winch really helps on those rare occasions when the anchor chain does get hung up.

Other boating tips include using a jet-drive motor for running in shallow water. If you're running a prop, you may wish to invest in a guard such as a Mac's River Runner. Also, you'll need to carry extra spark plugs. Due to the weather, I've fouled more plugs in winter than any other time of the year. This isn't as big of a deal with a four-stroke motor though. Extra gloves and maybe some cloths are a good idea too. It's also a good idea to have a radio and/or a cell phone handy in case of trouble. Plus they're nice when you've caught a really nice steelie and you want to call your buddies who thought it was too cold to fish that day. I have one buddy who always seems to have to work the day I'm headed out on the river. He really likes hearing about the fish I'm catching, although I wish he'd stop calling my mother that.

One of the nicest things about winter steelhead fishing is the solitude. Hit the river in the fall during a salmon run and there are so many people, you'll forget you're in the remote wilds. But head out after the snow has been flying, and you'll only run into a few folks who know the same "secret" you do. Be prepared for the environment and also be prepared for slow action. You may not get a single hit, or you may limit out. Either way, you're bound to have a good time, and that is what it is all about.