The world
famous” Steelhead Alley” 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 have some of the
most densely stocked steelhead streams in the world, with over 2 million
6-9 inch smolts planted 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 and improving water quality,
steelhead are thriving in the big lake. These favorable conditions
are the key to the success of our fishery. After two years in Lake Erie,
the fish return to the stream where they were stocked to attempt to
spawn. Unfortunately, our streams are not conductive to natural
reproduction so the fish make this spawning run in vain. There is
some (some) small amount of natural reproduction, including seven
tributaries of the Cayahoga (the river that caught on fire in the 1960's!),
but it's not enough to support the stellar populations we now enjoy.
When the big rainbows return to the stream their size and strength is quite impressive. Anglers
around the world have taken notice. The steelhead
program has created a world-class steelhead fishery and made a dream destination of
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 rescue their
fly rods and noodle rods from their short lived summer resting places.
These anglers spend countless hours and bags of dollars on the newest and best
fishing equipment available. Lake Erie steelheading has become a big
business for our region.
Finally
the moment of truth comes! It’s 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 mobility. Far too many
anglers fish the same spots and sections of stream every trip. Sure you
will catch some fish, but you'll 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. 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. Always ask first!
Having a
game plan can save the day! Everyone around here knows how unpredictable
our weather conditions are on the shores of Lake Erie. Knowing where to go when
your favorite tributary is blown-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 you frequent. Try to be there as the stream level
falls after a high water period. As the water level falls, prime
conditions exist and the stream turns that magic green color for which veteran steelheaders
search so desperately. High water often brings in fresh
run fish that are un-pressured and un-educated. Those are the fish
most likely to react to the baits and flies that
we use. As the water recedes these fish become vulnerable to anglers.
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 empty a steelhead tributary in a hurry, leaving lots of
hungry fish all for you.
For some
anglers, locating fish seems to be the biggest obstacle.
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's 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 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 feet 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 face 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 you must first 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 roadway 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 Fool's Gold, and Ironhead’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 include Sucker spawn, Glo-Bugs, Crystal Meth, Blood
Dots, and Skein flies. No steelheader's 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. 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 steelhead's world things flow directly with the current. Objects
that move sideways in the current are unnatural and, thus, are 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.
I've
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 necessary 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 might be in a position
where you are pulling the hook out, 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
and can cause infections. Keep the fish in the net in the water at all times!!!
I see too many anglers holding fish over dry land, only to see it be dropped
six times during a photo. You might as well put it on a stringer as
it is highly likley the fish will die after such treatment. 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 catch-and-release
glove and use the 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. Lake Erie steelhead are a stocked fish,
catch and keep isn't a dirty word. They fight hard and they taste
good, too.
If you haven't tried for steelhead
yet, what's keeping you? Ohio is home to some of the finest
steelhead fishing in the world. It's close by and the season
lasts for months. Don't let a chance at a dream outing get away from
you - get away from your everyday worries and come to Steelhead Alley!
