Steelhead - First Trip

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
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Next week(Wednesday - Sunday) I’m heading up to Erie County, PA to do some Steelhead fishing in Lake Erie tribs. I’m going with a buddy who’s been fishing up there for years, so I won’t be short on instruction, but I thought I’d ask a few of the folks here what to look forward to(besides cold weather!!), what patterns to take with and any rules/regs I may need to know. I’m looking forward to this trip, not just for the fishing but also because it takes me back to the area I grew up in(unfortunately, I wasn’t fly fishing then). Any suggestions, hints, tips appreciated. Thanks!!!

Matt

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(Haz) Matt,

Here are some starters:

single egg patterns like glo-bugs (mcfly foam is best)
sucker spawn
blood dots
beadhead caddis larva or pupa
black stonefly
woolly buggers
egg-sucking leeches
zonkers

Generally lots of colors will work well, just remember that when the water is off-color, large darker patterns will generate the best contrast, and in lower clearer water, lighter colors and smaller sizes work best.

Marty

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hare’s ear (12-14)
black beadhead bugger
olive bugger

MrFishingToughGuy was right on with the rest.

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Thanks, fellas. I’ve been tying up a bunch of black and olive buggers(only fly I know how to tie… just started) and am planning to use them. I’ll load a few of the others in my box and give them a shot. Much, much appreciated!!

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Steelheads…mmmm…nothing better here than a size4 Black Wolly Bugger with gold and red rib. Killer fly for those torpedoes.

Waterfox

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Matt,

You can make those buggers into egg-sucking leeches (ESLs) by simply tying a ball of pink or orange or yellow chenille for the head.

If you feel so inclined, consider this an invitation to join me and hopefully at least one other FAOLer on Saturday (the 11th) in NY. Or perhaps we could meet up with you somewhere.

Marty

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Marty… thanks for the info. I’m just the passenger on this trip, so I don’t know what all my buddy may or may not be into doing in terms of where we fish. I’ll talk to him tonight and mention it… see what he’s into. Maybe we can work something out!

Matt

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Matt

hi, i’m new here but i was reading you’re post about being you’re first steelhead trip to Erie, and you might to know that there is a pretty good book out called “Steelhead Guide; fly fishing techniques and strategies for Lake Erie steelhead” by John Nagy. I just got it back in march and haven’t had the chance to use the techniques yet. it was recommended by someone i ran into last fall

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that is a good book. lots of good fly recipes in there.

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Thanks for the info. I’m going to put that on my list of “things to order”. Unfortunately, it won’t do me any good for this trip, as the book would be en route whilst I was knocking the ice from my guides this coming weekend… but for the spring trip, it will definitely be worthwhile reading. Thanks again!!!

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Matt,

I was wondering if you would like the website to order the book I just happened to be at fly fishing show that the author was at back in march, got it autographed also

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If you have it handy, most definitely! Thanks a bunch!!!

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here it is

http://groups.msn.com/JohnNagySteelheadGuide/

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I hear that the crystal meth pattern is a pretty good one and the book says the most steelheads are caught on more of the yarn patterns than the fancier tied flies but i’m guessing it is pretty much personal chioce once get there and start catching

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Just to touch on the topic of “rules” you asked about… First, it goes without saying you need a license. Since you’re from PA I’ll assume you’ve got one. You?ll also need a Trout Stamp and a Lake Erie Stamp (or the combo stamp). You can keep three fish if you?re so inclined. Minimum size is 15" but it’s not really worth keeping anything smaller than 24". I’d also recommend some fluorocarbon leaders and tippet material 3X and 4X leaders are usually fine unless the water is very clear then you might use 5X. I’d carry some 4 lb and 6 lb tippet material for really clear conditions. You don?t have to have fluorocarbon but I think there is some benefit to using it. It helps sink your nymph, sucker spawn, egg etc. It?s virtually invisible in the water and it really helps keep break offs to a minimum.

My fly box has sucker spawn in a variety of color (white, cream, pink, egg, orange, red, yellow, chartreuse, and light blue), sizes 12 & 14, crystal meths (peach, white, orange and purple), size 12 & 14, glowbugs (eggs) (pink, light orange, bright orange, egg) sizes 10 thru 16, estaz eggs in several colors and sizes. Then there’s the nymph box with the usual stuff, stone flies, prince’s, pheasant tails, copper johns, caddis pupa and emerges, some brown drake & slate drake nymphs, hares ears, hendricksons, red tags, san juan worms, green weenie, etc. I have a box of bugger in the usual colors (black, white, olive, brown and purple) some egg sucking leeches, and an assortment of streamers.

A few weeks ago when I was up we were having really good luck on wet flies. Winged hares ears were especially productive. I don’t want to give the impression you need a lot of specialty flies 'cause you don’t. There just big trout. I think the more important thing with Steelhead is having a good, natural drift. Yes, they might get somewhat selective at times, but if you give them a proper presentation with any of the standard stuff you use for trout you can catch Steelhead.

Good luck, I’ll be up on Elk Creek Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Maybe we’ll meet on the creek!

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Joe… Elk is the first place we’re headed Thursday. We’re driving up late Wednesday night and will probably get there about 6am Thursday morning. I’ll be the guy in the hat wearing the vest carrying a fly rod :shock: Seriously, though… we may very well meet, which would be a cool thing!

Thanks for the info. I’m going to have to double-check my license… I only got the trout stamp when I purchased it… I didn’t know I’d be heading up to fish steelhead this year and beyond that wasn’t aware a Lake Erie or Combo was needed. Thanks for that!!! And thanks for the rest of the information. I’m off work tomorrow and have some things I need to pick up, so I’ll keep an eye out for some of the flies you’ve mentioned that I don’t currently have in my box. Thanks again!!!

Matt

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We’ll be fishing upstream from Folly’s someplace. But I also like the section by the Park in Girard, the area below the Iron Bridge and down stream to the Conrail Tubes is good too. Looks like we might have decent conditions. Just hope the fish cooperate! Good Luck. Like you, I’ll be the guy in the waders. Although if you see a really big guy with a Gray and Blue William Joseph chest pack it might be me. Good luck, leave a couple for us!