Yes, mostly the low/clear/cold and 30s that is our typical winter conditions.

I used to look to the first mentioned slower pools because of the security of water depth and the fact that the even slower water at the bottom of these pools requires very little energy expenditure for the steelhead to maintain their lie. As you said, they get a bit dour and don't want to move much.

Why I prefer the shallower "edge" fishing these days is that, even if there are fewer steelhead in these lies, the steelhead travelling/resting in these lies are more active and more likely to strike a fly.

I'd rarely fished the shallow edges and riffles in winter, preferring to put on a heavier tip and wade thru these lies to cast out to into the main current. That being said, my hatchery winter success rate has been less than exemplary.

I noticed, too, that quite a few sidedrifters on the Skagit and Sky were chucking their eggs & slinkies into 1-2' of water (essentially behind me after they drifted past ).

Just something to think about. The guys doing this were hardcore fishermen - there must be some reason they're throwing their baits in that close to shore.

DS