The world famous” Steelhead Alley” as it is known
to the rest of
the country is located right here in our backyards in North Eastern Ohio
and Pennsylvania. Lake Erie’s shores are littered with over 300 miles
of unobstructed streams. Ohio and Pennsylvania has some of the most
densely stocked Steelhead streams in the world, with over 2 million 6-9
inch smolts implanted in her waters each year. Erie, the shallowest of
our Great Lakes, has a diverse habitat and a multitude of food sources
for steelhead trout. Coupled with clearing waters from the invading
Zebra Mussels, Steelhead are thriving in the big lake. These favorable
conditions attribute to the success of our fishery. After two years in
Lake Erie these fish return to the stream where they were stocked to
propagate or spawn. Unfortunately, our streams are not conductive to
natural reproduction so the fish make this spawning run in vain. When
they return to the stream the size and strength of this opportunistic
feeder is quite impressive. Anglers have taken notice. The steelhead
program has created a world class steelhead fishery and destination on
Lake Erie’s tributary streams
As the fall season quickly approaches excitement is
in the air. Dedicated anglers from the tri- state area and beyond begin
to frantically tie yarn flies and jigs getting ready for the first runs
of the season. They gather their fly rods and noodle rods from their
short lived summer resting places. These anglers spend countless hours
and dollars on the newest and best fishing equipment available. Lake
Erie steelheading has become big business for our region of the state.
Finally the moment of truth comes! It’s finally
time to hit the tributaries in search of the greatest fresh water game
fish on the planet “Oncorhynchus Mykiss “the steelhead trout! Sound
interesting? Here are some tips and tactics that could help you become
a better steelheader…
The most important aspect of a good steelheader is
to be mobile. Far too many anglers fish the same spots and sections of
stream every trip. Sure you will catch some fish but you will increase
your odds and enjoy the sport even more if you stay on the move. Being
mobile also can help to reduce the number of anglers and pressured fish
you will encounter though out the day making for a more exciting and
rewarding experience. Please do your homework. In Pennsylvania and
Ohio the landowner owns the streambed. Permission is required on
private lands. Fortunately, most of these landowners share the sporting
heritage and allow fishing on their property.
Having a game plan can save the day! Everyone
around here knows how unpredictable our weather conditions are here on
Lake Erie. Knowing where to go when your favorite tributary is blow out
by heavy rains is priceless!!! Due to the widely varying stream sizes on
“Steelhead Alley” every stream takes a different amount of time to clear
after a high water period. Learn to be a weather watcher. With many
tributaries within a couple hours drive east or west you can fish
steelhead everyday of the season if you watch the weather and plan
ahead. Take note of the high water run off times on the local
tributaries that you frequent. Try to be there as the stream level
falls after a high water period. As the water level falls prime
conditions exist when the stream turns that magic green color that
veteran steelheaders so desperately search for. High water often brings
in fresh run fish that are un-pressured and un-educated to the baits and
flies that we use. As the water recedes these fish become vulnerable to
anglers. Arguably this the best time to fish. Time it right and you
may just be rewarded with an exciting day of arm tiring, leaping, drag
burning chromers.
Try to plan steelhead trips on the week days to
avoid extremely high numbers of anglers and spooked fish. Our favorite
times to fish are in the early mornings and late evenings. Our runs
start in October and continue thru May. Favorite seasonal dates are
during the deer hunting seasons or when the Pittsburgh Steelers and
Cleveland Browns are on television. These circumstances can void a
steelhead tributary in a hurry leaving lots of hungry fish all to
yourself.
For some anglers locating fish seems to be the
biggest obstacle to overcome. Unfortunately we can’t have optimum
conditions every day. Due to the shallow nature of our streams low and
clear water is a problem often faced by fall steelheaders. It is true
that this low water makes it possible to see the fish and sight fish for
them. This clear water also makes the fish very spooky. Just because
you can see the fish doesn’t mean they will be easy to catch. Small
stealth presentations are a must. The observant angler notes the
locations these fish are holding in and stores them away for future
reference when better stream conditions exist. During these low water
periods steelhead will rest and congregate below an obstacle or
obstruction such as waterfalls, shallow water flats, and dams. Resting
areas include current breaks, wing dams, rocks, and logs. These areas
and pools with some depth offer fish security. Fish may also be found
holding in water as shallow as 1 or 2 foot deep in the riffles. They
use this broken water surface as cover. Depth is very important to
steelhead but it is relative to the section of stream you are on.
Another common scenario we are faced with is
stained water with 5-7 inches of visibility. Soon this stained water
will clear to optimum conditions but you want to fish NOW! This stained
water offers security for moving steelhead making their annual spawning
run. Even though there may be lots of fish present this is the most
troubling situation most anglers face. To find running fish first you
must find the path of least resistance. Current seams, breaks and
inside edges are key. The deepest part of a given section of stream will
be a road way for running fish. Our tributaries are fairly shallow to
begin with, so any change in depth will entice steelhead movement
greatly. Pay close attention to shallow rapid flats and watch for fish
splashing and running though these fast water stream sections, fish can
be located at the entrance and exit of these flats in great numbers as
they stage to move through the obstacle. There are times when you hit
the run just right and fish will swim right by your feet, between your
legs, and behind you totally oblivious to your presence. Almost
unbelievable numbers of fish are landed on such days. Becoming a
weather watcher and planning your trips when conditions are right
greatly increases your chance of finding steelhead nirvana.
Our steelhead streams are a fly fisherman’s
paradise. These big steelhead require small stealth presentations and
the fly rod is the perfect tool. Fly selections for steelhead fishing
should include a variety of nymph, egg and baitfish patterns. For nymph
imitations stone flies are the ticket, we use them in black, blue, gray,
and gold all year long. Black and Golden Stoneflies along with rock
caddis are the prevalent insect life in our streams. Many steelhead
specific flies have evolved in the Lake Erie region. Senyo’s wiggle
stones, Dons Fools Gold, and Ironhed’s rubber legged stones are
favorites of the local guides. Other good nymph patterns include
pheasant tails, copper johns, princes, and hares ears. These standard
nymph patterns are proven fish catchers year in and year out. Steelhead
also readily feed on the abundant eggs in the stream. Patterns for egg
flies would include Sucker spawn, Glo-Bugs, Crystal Meth, Blood Dots,
and Skein flies. No steelheaders fly box would be complete without an
Emerald Shiner fly pattern. This baitfish is highly sought after by the
steelhead while in the lake. Shiners are like steelhead candy.! Good
choices would be appropriately colored Zonkers, Clouser minnows, and the
almighty woolly bugger.
We have also found that by incorporating some sort
of movement in our flies they become much more irresistible to the
fish. Adding soft hackles, marabou and other high motion materials
imparts life into the fly and is one option. We also have had great
success with the articulated two piece fly designs such as the Senyo’s
wiggle stone. These articulated designs closely mimic the swimming
motion of a nymph in the stream and are deadly on steelhead.
For the spin fisherman bait selection for steelhead
would include live shiners, Single eggs, power bait, maggots, meal
worms, crawlers, and egg sacs in pink, chartreuse, and orange. Many
spin fishermen simply run flies below their float. The most important
rule of steelheading is “remember the dead drift. It doesn’t matter what
type of rod you choose. You must present your offering in a natural
manner on a drag free dead drift to catch fish. In a steelheads world
things flow directly down current. Objects that move sideways in the
current are unnatural and avoided. A drag free drift can be achieved by
using high stick nymphing and right angle float techniques. These
techniques are explained in great detail in John Nagy’s Steelhead Guide
Book a recommended read for anyone fishing Lake Erie Tributaries.
We have guided a lot of anglers and viewed many
more streamside. Many anglers have the steelhead game down to a science,
but fail to land this powerful fish due to a few simple mistakes that
can easily be corrected. Once a fish is hooked get it on the reel as
fast as possible, and let it blow off energy in the first run. A
quality Disc drag reel is a must to wear steelhead down in an acceptable
time limit. Keep constant steady pressure – no slack line... Make sure
your hand is off the reel handle and let the fish run. Be ready to chase
fish running down stream, this is because once the fish turns back up
stream you are pulling the hook out of the fishes mouth instead of into
the corner of its mouth. Try to stay parallel to the fish at all times,
and don’t be afraid to use your rod by putting it side to side to turn
the fishes head to your favor. A straight up and down rod puts very
little pressure on the fish because it doesn’t use very much of the rods
energy, by turning the rod left to right side you maximize the amount of
rod pressure used against the fish. By moving your rod side to side you
turn the fishes head sideways in the current. This takes away his
aerodynamic advantage and shortens the fight dramatically. Shorter
fights equal a better chance of a successful catch and release.
Many anglers today prefer to catch and release, and
that is great!! Here are some tips to help ensure that your released
steelhead survives for someone else to enjoy. Use a catch and release
net (rubber Coated) or a cotton net. Avoid Nylon nets it removes the
fishes protective slime coating causing infections. Keep the fish in the
net in the water at all times!!! I see to many anglers hold fish over
dry land only to see it be dropped six times during a photo, you might
as well put it on a stringer it going to die. Get your camera and remove
the hook with hemostats before the fish is removed from the net. Stay
in the stream, kneeling down low toward the water during the photo. If
the fish does get away from you it just swims away. Steelhead are very
slippery! Carry a cotton or catch and release glove and use this glove
to firmly grip the fish at the wrist in front of the tail, this will
give you control and enable you to hold the steelhead without injuring
it. Keep all fingers and hands away from gills!!! Once again many
anglers do this with little disregard for the fish. Never hoist a
steelhead by the gill plate. Its neck isn’t strong enough to support
its weight. Even if the fish does not bleed from the gills, fish
handled in this manner have a poor chance of survival. If you are
keeping your catch this is fine, just don’t release it to die because of
lack of education or ignorance.
We wish everyone a great upcoming steelhead season,
below is a list of local bait shops. Also listed are several on line
steelhead informational websites/ forums and fly suppliers. Please
support our local businesses. They keep us informed and have
professional and friendly staffs willing to help anyone who wants to
catch steelhead on Lake Erie Tributaries.
Local bait shops: Pennsylvania
Elk Creek Sports 814-774-8755
Folleys End 814-474-5730
BAC 814-474-3992
Poor Richards West 814-474-5623 East 814 725-8483
Local Bait Shops: Ohio
Grand River Tackle 440-352-7222
Books and Hooks 330-545-1906
TMF Orvis Ravenna 330-296-2614
Erie shore Chagrin 440-942-3470
Pine Lake 440-543-1331
Greg
Senyo
Orvis Endorsed Fly fishing Guide & Fly Designer
Eumer Tube
Professional Tyer
Owner/Operator Steelhead Alley Outfitters
http://www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com Main web page
http://www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.blogspot.com Current river
reports and hosted destinations
http://www.steelheadalleyflytying.blogspot.com Fly tying tutorials
http://www.steelheadalleyflyshop.blogspot.com fly shop
Phone
#419-466-9382
