Drifting bait is great on bigger rivers like the Milwaukee and Sheboygan. Guide Eric Haataja prefers 10- to 13-foot spinning rods and spinning or center-pin reels spooled with 8-pound test monofilament. Add a barrel swivel and a 6-pound-test fluorocarbon leader, and then tie on a single egg hook or jig. Attach a balsa float set to keep the bait just off bottom, and pinch on a couple split shot to keep the float upright. Use this rig to drift spawn sacs, single eggs or wax worms through deep runs and holes. "The long rod lets you lift a lot of line off the water for a drag-free drift," Haataja said. "Let your bait drift as far as possible and set the hook at the slightest twitch of the float."

On smaller streams, use shorter rods to fish flies or bait in a similar fashion. Work the deep holes, and stalk fish on the redds.

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Southern Wisconsin's great steelheading extends farther up the coast to Kewaunee, Algoma and into Door County. But that's another story for another day.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
John Graba: (262) 857-3757; John Matenaer: (920) 208-8042, or FlycastingGuide.com; Eric Haataja: (414) 546-4627, or WIBigFish.com.