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Outdoors enthusiast, especially anglers, often times try their hardest to push the limit and set new boundaries on where it is they go to accomplish tasks, or how they get the job done. It almost entitles a sense of bragging rights amongst anglers. The passion one might desire for the sport is reflected by how dedicated and committed they are to go to such extremes for a hook set. Attempts on going the farthest out or to the most remote locations to catch fish, is believed to be what separates good anglers from the elite. 
There is no model of fishing that no better represents this than those who pursuit the mission to chase winter steelhead. Michiganders commonly believe that in order to find good numbers and a respectable fishery for these wintertime trophies, one must travel a great distance or to some remote location to do so. Many of those who reside in southeastern Michigan face this concept as an absolute fact. But what if there were spots to successfully target steelhead that weren’t hours away? Maybe even located in the city? I know it sounds crazy at first, but there are opportunities to wrangle prized steelhead in the Metro Detroit area. Throughout the first quarter of the calendar year, the Clinton River begins to receive a steady stream of steelhead that are in route to spawn, and a truly unique fishing experience takes place. 
Sharing a location in Macomb and Oakland county with over two million residents, a majority of the Clinton River can be described as fishing in a town setting. From the headwaters found deep in Oakland county, going all the way downstream to where the river flows into Lake St Clair, the Clinton is found to be 83 miles long and host a basin of 760 square miles. Once heavily polluted, the river is now a highly decorated and respectable blue ribbon trout stream. With a lengthy history of stocking efforts, the future of fishing success remains bright for this suburban gem. 
Popular spots to fish the Clinton River are fairly easy to come across. Being in such a developed area, parks are often available for use and enjoyment. Bloomer, River Bend, Clinton River, and Budd park are popular locations that are easily accessible. Yates Cider Mill is a local favorite landmark for steelhead anglers. With an older dam still in place, these fish can be seen jumping or being caught on this section of the river for a majority of the migration. With a close proximity of parks and fishing locations in the area, it is very easy to fish one spot, pack up, and be at another one in several minutes. 
When it comes to fishing any specific river or lake, the approach used must be one that works best and most efficiently with the water system. With the Clinton not being too wide or deep, fish holding spots must be searched for. Bends, down trees, and bridge structure are all key locations to focus in on. All 84 miles of the river can be found with plenty of wooden structure and bridge supports to keep an angler busy. Current breaks and holes that are found on outside bends are some of the best locations to attend to when fishing in the current that the Clinton River demonstrates.  
Drift fishing with a wide variety of baits or casting lures such as spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, etc., can be an efficient way to catch steelhead in deeper holes or around structure. Flies, such as the egg-sucking-leach patterns or common wooly buggers are a safe bet when it comes to choosing an easy imitation that will seduce a fish into feeding. Nightcrawlers, wax worms tipped on small hooks or jigs, skein, or egg sacks, are just a few examples of effective baits that get the job done in just about any scenario to entice any fish. One thing that is believed about being successful on this unique river is to have a wide array of colors available. Keep that in mind when you make a run to the local bait shop or load the tackle box. While casting and drift fishing for steelhead, be sure to keep a sense of awareness on where the bait is going, so it doesn’t get snagged up and you end up losing an article of tackle. 
Many anglers who fish the Clinton, prefer to approach it by means of float fishing. With the precision and accuracy that drifting a float has to offer, it arguably is thought to be the most efficient and effective means. Down trees, overhanging bushes, and logs, can be quite difficult (and frustrating!) to fish around. If an angler chose to fish around this structure by a bottom bouncing technique or drift fishing, it would only be a matter of time before they got hung up, loosing tackle such as weights, what can be expensive presentations, or entire rigs. The tremendous benefit to float fishing in situations like this is the ability to control. Setting the required distance from the float to the bait offerings as needed, being able to speed up or slow down the drift, and the ability to determine where the rig is going to end up, can be what dictates a headache of a fishing trip, filled with constant retying, from having an eventful day in the great outdoors. Almost any bait that can be drift fished, can be float fished as well. Beads, worms of any sort, small jigs, eggs, flies, you name it, if it can fool a fish into thinking it has its’ next meal by simply flowing downstream, you have something that can be used! 
Traditional steelhead rivers and tributaries are often thought out to be exclusively remote locations that are many miles away to most outdoor enthusiast. It is very seldom are the two ideas of steelhead fishing and an urban environment such as Metro Detroit, are put together. As an angler, you often times might never know what to expect. So when it comes to wrangling with a prized gamefish in a thriving metropolis area, go for it! There are not too many opportunities to do so in southeastern Michigan, let alone in the city. The lesson of this article is simple. Don’t judge a fishing spot by its’ location or history! The fish you usually travel many miles for and dream about catching, just might be found under a suburban bridge you drive over on your way to work, or maybe even in your own backyard for that matter. 
Happy Hooksets, 
Dominic Turcott.