Well, I have been feverishly trying to add more stuff to this blog and for some reason, it won’t let me control things the way I want, so all new posts will be found here; www.steelheadquarters.blogspot.com Thank you to all who have visited this blog and my rants, check out the new video at the new blog and FISH ON!

Wow what an awesome Indian Summer we’ve had the last couple of weeks! Only problem with that statement is, no fishing! That’s about to change as we have received some much needed rain, and the Chagrin has opened it’s doors for the Chrome that was knocking. Mother Nature has also changed her mind (like women often do) and decided it’s October 20^th, and has turned a cold shoulder to the Alley…….Sweeeeeet!

Now that things are starting to get better around here, I decided it’s time to head back east. East of PA and smack dab up the Creek again! This time I’m leaving the noodle at home and packing up my fly rod and some of the hottest damn flies in the country, and this time the video equipment will be ready and shooting as myself and Craig hit the stream. I’m hoping for a repeat of my last trip, with a few changes of course, and that is, I’m bringing my big guns and my net, so all you Kings who fought and laughed at my rig before, will now meet my Fisknat!

Greg Senyo of SAO www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com  have been putting together some new video tutorials on tying some Eumer Tube flies for Lake Erie Steelhead. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Greg is the best fly tier I’ve had the pleasure of meeting over the last 45 years, and once I edit the video’s you’ll see for yourself as well. If you’re fly, Spey, or Swinging for Great Lakes Steelhead then you have to at least try these flies.

Now that cooler nights are here, Chrome will be spreading out from the lower sections and the best chance for hooking some is early in the morning. Just keep in mind with the low levels of water in the tribs, if you can see the fish, they’ve already seen you! Try fishing the deeper pools, and fast water where it provides shelter from predators, and that includes you, the angler!

I’m getting ready for tomorrow and will check out all the tribs from here; the Chagrin to the Orchard, and will report when I return. Until then, if you really want to get into some bright Chrome and don’t know where to start, give SAO a call at (419) 466-9382 and book a trip with them. You will learn so much in one day, that after a guided trip on the Alley, you’ll be able to return again and again with the info they provide,

and some of the best flies around! Tell them Herb sent you and receive a discount on your fly order!

Keep your lines tight and your knots tighter….. 

SAO Eumer Spey Tube

October’s Giveaway winner is Rich Yamamoto www.steelheadquarters.com/october_winner.htm  of Willowick, Ohio. After contacting Rich we decided it would be best for me to just drop off his Prize package at work, which consisted of SAO’S www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com Sculpin selection, Gearkeeper lanyards, FrogHair leaders, floats and hat, plus Maxima fishing line and 2 rod keeper lanyards! Congratulations Rich, I hope you hook some nice Chrome with those flies, and thank you for signing up for my Newsletter!

October

 

Rich Yamamoto!

12lbs of New York Gold!

29 more for a meal!

Leaving Ohio around 4:30am Dan and I made the short drive to New York. Arriving at day break, we were both surprised by the lack of anglers on the creek? I had heard that there were some nice numbers of fish in the creek, and usually it’s a 10 to 1 ratio, but today the creek was all ours! Well almost! As soon as we rigged the gear and hit the water we had action the whole time!

 

Dan

Now I’ve been there before with my fly rod, and it almost seemed unfair to the fish, simply because they were slain by my presentations. So I left the fly gear at home this time, and set out on a mission to catch some fish with the noodle rod. One thing I forgot to mention, be sure to check all your gear before you make the drive, I didn’t! It was apparent to me early on that I would be in some trouble with the larger fish, because my reel was spooled with 6lb test, and that would soon come back to haunt me…..

Dan

The first King I hooked did a little dance that would make the show Dancing With the Stars jealous! On his 5^th acrobatic display, he bit the line in half and then swam up to my feet as if to say; “What the #%$@ were you thinking bud?”

That fish was a monster! I’m not one to embellish a fish story, and since I have no photo proof, well let’s just leave that one alone. Dan and I both know the estimated size of him, and believe me when I tell you, 6lb test was no match for that beast!

Both dan and I had many Kings on, with not one landed! Another reason was because my landing net was safe and sound in my garage, collecting cobwebs. Man these fish were brutes! They must have pumped up with steroids before entering the stream, and they were actively foraging and

Big NY Chrome

spawning, so my light line was barely a deterrent from feeding them! My arms hurt, my back hurts but it’s the sweet pain in knowing you just battled some Ontario Brutes that makes it all worth while!

First time I have seen the water over the top of the Damn, and damn it was a beautiful sight indeed! The Autumn colors along with a few anglers dancing with players was a sight to behold. Dan just stood there with his mouth open and said it was a beautiful place!

10-08-2008

Some of the video can bee seen here: http://www.steelheadquarters.com As for the trip? Well it was a success in my estimation, and my dire addiction has been quenched for the moment anyways. I will be back real soon, it’s hard to pass up the fishing prospects in Western New York! When I do return, you can bet I’ll be packing my fly rod and some of SAO’S (http://steelheadalleyoutfitters.com) Sculpins and Tube flies! Then it’s off to the Orchard for me…….Till the next episode…..stay safe on the rivers and tribs of Steelhead Alley!

Falling for New Yorks Waters!

Chagrin Buck 10-06-08

Fall is by far, my favorite time of year. The weather changes everything, and the cooler nights are a kindred spirit wrapped in the warmth of knowing Steelhead Season has arrived! I yearn for the tug on my line and the high pitched wine of my reel as I grip my rod waiting for the sudden change in direction and aerial acrobatics, of a fresh Fall run chromer! Nothing gets me more passionate about fishing, than the rainbows that glisten beneath the waters surface of Steelhead Alley!

As the days seem to become shorter, and the hues of red and orange obscure the green shades of Summer, I feel compelled to head farther east this time of year in search of big Chinook, and monster Brown trout.

10-06-08 Chagrin River Beauty

Perhaps this year will bring the whole season into perspective, and hopefully not the repeat of last year, where snagging was permitted and even tolerated for the Season! Personally, I released every fish caught even when fouled, and received some strange looks from the locals, but I don’t care about that. I care about the task, Finding & catching big Chinook! So I will be there this Wednesday, in hopes of that Trophy fish!

Last year I managed many Kings, Brown Trout and a few Steelhead thrown in for good measure! Hell just writing about it has my blood pumping, and so I shall hone my skills again with the noodle rod and new Okuma epixor reel I picked up from Craig at Erie Outfitters, and see what the last rain has let into the Chagrin.

Chagrin Chrome 10-06-08

Well what do you know! I’ve still got the touch it seems as I managed this big fat football of a hen that seemed like she was ready to pop! I mean her girth was bigger than my hands, and was full of eggs. She really gave me no big fight at all and was easily landed, and shot, then released. Wow! If this was the start of my outing then I was truly excited, and began my assessments of the water. Temps were 55E and the flow was perfect, but the color was off with visibility about 6″-8″. So I headed for another spot and began my drifts. Third time really was the charm as a nice bright buck did his dance, run….jump…..change direction….jump again, and all I could do was smile as I held the knowledge that he was wasting his energy on a lost cause! I tried like hell to get a shot of him while I hugged my rod, but that was futile so I landed

Almost got that jump!

him and let him go to try and reproduce! He had some spunk that I revered as I reset my line and spawn sacks. Then I switched to old faithful, my fly rod and some of SAO’S (www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com) sculpins and minnows. Top Photo:

Monday was a Nice day to Fall into some chrome, and I can’t wait to head to New York! I’ll post the pic’s and vids when I return…..till then….Keep the lines tight and Fish On!

Well I headed out today to check the streams from the Chagrin to Walnut Creek in PA. The Chagrin is up and stained. The Grand is stained as well but not as high as the Chagrin. Ash is still low but with a slight stain as well as Conneaut Creek. Elk is up a little and has some color but not the levels we need to see that first push of fish.

As I headed farther east the same was true for the Nut and the mile streams. All had some color but still low and only several fish were caught. Elk had much more traffic than any other spot hit, and I guess they thought the rain had let the fish in, but it was not the case.

We really need a good soaker to really bring the tribs up and blow out all the summer debris, which will in turn, give up more chrome. The best shot for rain is Thursday and Friday with the week-end clearing, we should see some numbers go up from the V. to the Oak. I’ve been real busy with videos and photo’s and building other websites, I wonder how I manage it all, but I do because I love it! Chrome flows through these veins and you just can’t get enough!

On another note, WOW! I am blown away by the numbers who have signed up for the Newsletter (over 25K) so far and still going strong now that Steelhead Season is just about to kick in full swing! I’ve just about got the thing ready and hopefully will launch it this Month. Thank you to all, and believe me it’s worth the wait! Be sure to stop by http://www.steelheadquarters.com for all the latest Product Reviews and also sign up for the Newsletter! Some great Products are going to be given away every month, and our 1st winner has received the rod and reel!

I’ll keep you posted on the situation here on Steelhead Alley….till next time, may all your Steel be bright, and all your knots tight…..

Fantastic! That’s all I have to say! Mother Nature has broke free from the past, and let loose her tears on the tributaries of Northeast Ohio! The rivers and streams are babbling over the rain, and the first run of Chrome has slipped into these systems! Game on!

All fish holding at the mouths are now making tracks through the channels and looking for that perfect gravel bed to claim as it’s own. Once the water levels start to drop, the action will heat up. Be patient, and use multiple patterns for enticing that strike! Bait anglers will have good luck with spawn sacks, minnows and jigs and maggots, as well as spoons and spinners.

For my fellow fly fisherman, try the big patterns of streamers, sculpins, and spey flies, just remember to think outside the box, and show them something different. I will be in New York next week to check things out on the Catt, 18 mile, Oak, and the Salmon River. So I will report on them as well as the mile streams in Pennsylvania. All things considered, this should prove to be a productive week-end coming up for anglers looking for Steel from the Vermillion to Conneaut Creek in Ohio, and all the streams in PA, and NY.

Stay safe on the rivers and tribs, and always keep your rod ready!

Chagrin River 9-28-08

September’s winds blew across Lake Erie today bringing a change to Northeast Ohio. Winds were out of the NW from 10 to 20mph with some higher gusts, and the Lake was choppy to say the least, but despite the small craft advisory, myself and others were amazed at the traffic out there, even a few 18′ – 20′ footers just a rockin’ and rollin’ as they went past.

 

 

Out at the CEI breakwall, a lone angler sat and watched as the Lake crashed up and over the breakwall almost impervious to the conditions as he silently watched the line in the water. “Have any luck?” was my question as I approached, “Couple of Smallmouth so far.” he answered, “only been here a short while.” he added matter of factly. So I just watched a while longer then

CEI Breakwall Lone Angler

left him to his anglin’ “Good Luck” I said as I walked away, and a polite thank you was heard and carried away by the wind.

As I made my way to another local spot I felt rather dismayed, the clouds were rolling in and turning heavy with gray moister but farther south from the Lakeshore. Meaning the rain we so desperately need will bypass the Chagrin River for now, and maybe tomorrow as well, thats the look from the radar anyways.

 

 

2 anglers on the Chagrin

The River is low and clear, and a couple anglers were casting away at the hopes of striking Silver in these waters, but to no avail. I sat and watched them awhile, then made my way to several other spots. No players were spotted nor attested too, by those few who were on the water.

Taking it all in, I then made my way home. To the peace and solitude that awaits me on this precious day. The rain is coming, that I can tell you, but as to the precise day or time, well that’s up to Mother Nature, and nobody can forecast her! Stay safe on the rivers and tribs and may all your Steel be Chrome!

That’s right! I have re-acquired my web site back, and I’m back in the saddle again! So look out Northeast Ohio, there’s a new change coming your way. Forget about what you’ve heard from other sources around the Alley, Steelheadquarters.com has always been and will always be the web-site for all the latest information on Steelhead Trout Period!

Wait till you see what I have planned for the coming months. I have been working real close with some top area shops, and guides who all share the same thoughts and goals when it comes to fishing! All new video’s and photo galleries are in store for you all, as well as some cool video tips from area Pro’s who are on the water 365 days a year…….I’m excited, they’re excited and Northeast Ohio is excited for us as well!

Just wanted to spread some cheer around, and also rattle a few feathers from the other idiots on the web, (you guy’s know who you are!) Careful now, or I’ll expose your true colors, and hey you know me, I don’t care what you think or say, all I know is I’m on a mission to weed out the scumbags and we can do this together…….so stay tuned for the winds of change on the Alley, and all the latest info on all the newest gear for the Steelheader in you!

Keep your lines tight, and your knots tighter!

I had heard rumors, that fish were in the creeks and tribs out east? So like any true Steelhead addict would, I packed a few things, like my rod, waders, vest and of course my camera, and I drove fast! Thinking it was going to be packed, and the fish spooky, I pulled into the parking lot to find only a handful of vehicles scattered here and there. Was this a sign? Maybe the rumor was just that?

Needing a fix reel bad, I decided the hell with it, and got out and dressed. I checked my gear and headed into the creek without a paddle, not caring one way or the other, I was determined to at least satiate my craving for chrome!

Entering the crystal clear and low water I was instantly reminded how desperately we need the rain. Scanning the gravel I soon spotted my relief, and then more! A nice large pod of fish were holding under logs and debris, and as I watched I saw several big aggressive fish move to the head of the pack, as I silently stripped off just enough line to reach the outcropping of snags.

Most anglers would bypass this stretch just because of the conditions, but experience and an uncomprehensible desire to dance with one of these fish, had me!

The first attempt was just shy of the pool, so I peeled a little more line and rolled it right where I wanted it! Smack into the downfall! I watched the fly drop and then stopped, instinct took over and as I lifted the rod tip waiting for the tree to claim first rights, I felt, then the set the hook into a very beautiful hen who broke the surface, shaking violently, and splashing back onto the surface with a rush of excitement, then she went airborne several more times!

“Now that’s what I’m talking about” came the words from someone standing by me! I guess in my tunnel vision state, I didn’t even notice the other 2 anglers besides me! “What are you using?” was the next question I heard as I landed and shot my quarry!

“Wiggle stone” I replied as I held her till she recovered and swam away! Standing up and looking around now that chrome again flowed into these veins, I noticed the guy’s moved down stream from my spot and to be perfectly honest, it was cool by me. Man that felt great! My ego was satisfied, my fix got fixed, and the day really was looking brighter! Checking my rig and measuring the distance I again placed my fly right into the slot and BAM! This time the steel exploded from the river and headed downstream in a mad rush to rid itself from my fly! 7 or more feet straight into the air with my reel screaming I headed after him! “Fish On!” I managed as the bright silver bullet pierced the water right in front of them guy’s! “Nice fish!” was one remark, and “What color fly is that?” from the other when all of a sudden this buck broke the surface a final time and my line at the same! “Holy shit! I said, “Did you see the size of that thing!” as I retrieved my line. The guy who asked before was now beside me as I opened my box and handed him a fly! “Careful” I said, “these things are deadly!” and I again proceeded back to my spot.

All in all, I hooked 12 fish, and landed 7 the best going about 29″ and about 91/2 lbs. The big boy who got away? Well we can all play that game, so suffice it to say, he was NICE! I left the creek after 3 hours, and made my journey home, full of satisfaction! My addiction taken care of for the time being, and as any fellow Steelhead addict knows, that craving will soon arise and rear it’s ugly head very soon….Till then