Fall/winter for me means "lots to do", with the deer bow hunting season opener on Oct. 1st, small game season opened Sept. 15th, the salmon from the great lakes are running rampid in the rivers, and the lake run browns are starting to spawn.
Winter trout fishing is different for me, and hopefully people on this forum don't look down on me for using a different method of fishing for steelhead in the winter time -other then fly fishing-.
For me winter time steelhead fishing is my favorite time of year. I start preparing for winter steelhead by making and designing my own jigs. Yes, I use the "jig and wig" method in the winter time. I find it very rewarding. I use molds to create the tinest jigs, of all shapes and sizes. I take the jigs and paint base coats. Next I use glow in the dark paints of all colors and design many different jigs. I add details to the jigs after the glow paint (hairs, stripes, dots, scales, etc.) They really don't represent any bug that I know of. I get creative though, adding and tying on wings, legs, painting eye balls that glow different colors.
My best winter steelhead/trout fishing usually starts a week before Christmas, as I am usually fishing Christmas eve while my wife is doing some last minute wrapping and shopping. I prefer evenings and early mornings right before sunrise.
I use a camera flasher to activate the glow paint on my tiny little bug jigs, and tip the jigs with a small wax worm or larva, or a wiggler. I fish approximately 1' to 2' off from the bottom casting the jig into the current on the edge of fish holding areas using a weighted bobber that I also make myself.
It's not fly fishing, but for me, I find catching a 8 lb. steelhead on 4 lb. test on rigs that I make myself very enjoyable. Not to mention the scenery and pristine conditions of not having a soul around, and the winter wind biting my cheeks.
If anyone is interested, I can provide more info on the jigs, and bobber systems I design, so that you may try the same thing if you desire. (and this "jig and wig" method works for just about every species of fish I have ever caught)- and it does take practice.
I'll see you down on the river...