Happy New Year!!!

Sorry for the delay in posting, but things have been pretty steady around here. Fly tying to fill orders is the name of the game right now, writing articles, and also preparing for a host of fly tying seminars and fly shows around the region. The rivers are open and the gang has been fishing and doing well, with the holidays and all most have been enjoying some much needed rest and down time with family and friends. Have a safe and Happy New Year!!! If you are thinking of steelhead fishing still this winter, we are still going strong.. Stay tuned for the exciting 2009 spring steelhead runs...

Steelhead Guide John Clouser and Putt Yancich

pose with a nice winter steelhead.

Will Turek of Mid West Spey School and SAO guide gives

an informational lecture on switch and spey casting

and fishing, to a packed house.

Tying Eumer tube flies for the Spring Steelhead Season and for filling recent orders. We are extending our fly sale until the end of January, and thank you for your orders and the extra time needed to tie and deliver them. Call 419-466-9382 or email me at gregsenyo@yahoo.com to place orders and to receive the discounted holiday price.

Steelhead Guide Tim Hess fly fishing below his house on Elk Creek, finds some holiday steel. Tim Hess and John Miller are two of very few guides on the alley that has the luxury to walk out his back door and be on the river. Our availabilities are filling rapidly, please do not wait to fill your prime steelhead dates for the 2009 spring steelhead runs. Our staff received 100 % positive feed back from our guests about their experiences and our Fly fishing services in the year 2008!!! References available on all trip inquiries....

A Nice Winter Holiday Steelhead! Our Lake Erie steelhead runs have been exceptional this year and we expect the spring to have nothing but the same results. If your inquiring or thinking about steelhead fishing this spring, give us a shout 419-466-9382. Providing first class fly and spey fishing trips for all skill levels on Lake Erie Tributaries, custom tailored to each guest for the best possible experience and a truly rewarding day on the water.

Joel Bock spent the week testing new fly patterns on several local tributaries and hit plenty of holiday silver as well. Pink fly patterns were the hot ticket this week. For 2009 you will see a host of guide fly pattern designs from the staff here at SAO. Keep watching our Fly tying site at http://www.steelheadalleyflytying.blogspot.com new patterns are already up. See you on the water or at the shows!!!

Tight Lines

Greg Senyo

Owner/Operator

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Happy Holidays and Bringing in the New Year!!!!

A heart felt Thank you to all of our clients for a very special and fantastic fall 2008 steelhead Season!!

Here's a little video to keep you thinking about fly fishing for steelhead on Lake Erie Tributaries. Its from Patti Beasley and the Gang at Reel Woman & Reel Men Of Indianapolis from their Fall 2008 steelhead trip with us. Hope you are enjoying the holidays with friends and family, I know we are :)

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4e5455304e4467774f513d3d0d0a&sb=1

My New Fly tying Material "Senyo's Lazer Dub" is out and available thru Orvis!!! It will be in local Steelhead Alley and Mid West Orvis Shops and around the region in the coming month... Mad River Outfitters will have the complete selection in stock ASAP, until then here is a sneak peak below to order online for those who want it now.

http://www.orvis.com/store/productchoice.aspx?pf_id=0X03&dir_id=1273&group_id=17319&cat_id=17322&subcat_id=17326

Senyo's Lazer Dub, Hot New fly tying Material for Great Lakes Steelhead.

If your finding it hard to get away and hit the stream this winter, and looking for some fire place reading material, Just check out our Blog archive and read the multitude of fishing experiences from our staff and clients from around the country! Everything from Lake Erie Steelhead, Wisconsin Browns, Ontario Salmon, California Golden trout, White Bass & Small Mouth on the Maumee River, Trout of the Adirondacks, Spey fishing Erie Tributaries, Mid Western Large Mouth Bass, Spring Creek PA Trout, and Trout fishing in Austria ..... and the list goes on!!! Over 400 great photos and some great short stories about our trips just from 2008 alone!!!! We always keep busy and on top of our fly fishing, and we are really excited about 2009!

Keep watching our Fly tying Blog at http://www.steelheadalleyflytying.blogspot.com/

We will be adding several new step by step patterns this winter, and all your requests for hot new effective patterns has been heard, and we will do our best to get them all up!!! I will also have a host of new fly patterns out and available through the Orvis company in 2009, just in time for the spring steelhead runs...

Happy Holidays Everyone!

See you at the shows or on the water!!

Greg Senyo,SAO

X-Stream Steelheading

LARGE AMOUNTS OF SNOW IN THE WATER

MADE FISHING EXTREME ON THIS DAY!

In the past couple of days, I have heard numerous times, "I can't believe I am fishing in a river just a couple days away from Christmas!" Yeah, it's hard to believe Christmas is almost here, and honestly it is even harder to believe we did as well today as what we did.

The day started early due to a weather system full of freezing rain, snow, and sleet that was forecasted to push through the area in the early morning hours. With clients waiting in the warmth of hotels, I needed to give myself plenty of time in order to make a prompt arrival. With the truck in four wheel drive, I hit the snow covered roads and slowly covered ground to the Alley.

The good news was that upon arriving, the conditions weren't so bad...just snow. However, within an hour, that was all going to change. Soon the heavy snows turned to sleet, and faster than that, it turned to freezing rain. All I can say is that the rain was cold and without my wading jacket, my stocking cap stood no chance long term. Luckily for me, we were able to get the skunk out of the bag in the first hour and shortly after decided to relocate. Once back to the truck, we changed up some clothing and prepared for a rainy day as opposed to snow. One thing was for sure....we were fishing no matter the conditions.

Upon arriving at our second location, we noticed that once again, we were the only souls in sight. We walked through a woods full of fresh snow. Our tracks were joined only by the crowd of God's great creation that stood, scampered and flew around us. Not another human soul was found on this extreme day....not another fisherman....not another guide...not even fools would come out in this weather :) ....but to me, it was a glorious day to be out! So, I don't know what that says about me....crazy, stupid, diehard? I'll take the latter.

From sun up to sun down, the stream was choked with snow. Not ice, but snow! As it snowed early, you could see every flake hit the ice cold water and cling to another near it. No melting flakes today. Below you can see an area of mild congestion while above was an entirely different story.

TODAY YOU PICKED YOUR HOLES, EXECUTED A

TUCK CAST AND OFFERED UP A PRAYER

The cool thing about this x-stream day was the fact that despite such adverse conditions, we were tearing up the fish! Here is an example of the average catch on this awesome day!

TIM SHOWS OFF A LARGE SHOULDERED PENNSYLVANIA

STRAIN HEN ADORNED IN CHROME

All but one fish caught today on two different watersheds was very fresh and somewhat feisty for 33 degree water. But hey, I'm not complaining. All I want for Christmas is chrome....Afterall, I am a redneck :)

Below is that one fish that had been in river for some time. It was a nice little buck that was browned up and kyped for the occasion.

TIM WITH A COLORED UP PENNSYLVANIA STRAIN BUCK

As the day pushed on more fish came to hand including several nice chromers in 24-26" range. Although nothing monstrous was landed today, Tim was happy and blessed to have pulled off his best day to date on steelhead and in the toughest of conditions to boot!

TIM HOLDS A GORGEOUS HEN WITH A SIGNATURE

SHALE WALL OF THE ERIE REGION

DISAPPEARING IN THE DISTANCE

So, here I am sitting in the warmth of my home thinking back over a very productive fall schedule. We had more trips this fall than ever. We got to meet a lot of great people and catch some spectacular fish. With only two days left in the fall season, I will bid farewell for the team and say thank you for an amazing fall!!!

Now, let the X-games begin.....Winter in T minus two days. Are you ready for some x-stream fishing for steelhead on the fly? We are! Give us a shout if you think chrome on snow and ice is an adventure you desire to experience.

In the meantime, we hope all of you have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tight Lines,

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Between the Storms

The last few hours of my life have comprised a very welcome day!  After what has seemed like endless days of snow, warm weather, blown rivers and NO FISHING....we finally got out thus ending the bad spell I had found myself in.

I had the opportunity to fish with three gentlemen from "our neck of the woods" today.  We met at a bit earlier hour than I typically do this time of year, because of overnight temps around freezing.  I was gambling that we might not have any ice in the flow to start the day.

Well, my gamble paid off as we got on the water early and not a single piece of ice was flowing :)  My understanding of my fishing comrades was that they had limited steelheading experience on their own and a bit with other guides in the past.  Chuck however had never caught a steelhead.

I started putting rods together and put Chuck in position first.  As I was getting the other rods ready, we heard some thrashing.  I looked downstream to see a fish going wild in the surface.  Needless to say, he was on and then he was off....but it was within the first couple minutes of the day.  I was excited as to what the day would bring.

As luck would have it....or perhaps the providence of God....Chuck was again hooked up within mere minutes.  Now wait a minute.....can I really believe this guy has never caught a steelhead?  I mean, two fish in nearly as many minutes?  Either he wasn't being completely truthful or we had a serious case of beginners luck going on.

CHUCK WITH HIS FIRST STEELHEAD EVER.  A 24" CHROMED OUT HEN.

After the excitement of a first fish, we settled in to helping the other guys get the hang of things.  Oh, Chuck wasn't done and wouldn't be anytime soon, but we'll get back to that.

For now, it was Steve's turn.  After watching his close friend landing fish, he was ready for one of his own.  It was a hot fish of average size with PA style shoulders and it like every other, brought smiles to the faces of those in every direction.

STEVE WITH HIS FIRST FISH OF THE DAY

With two skunks out of the bag, there was only one remaining.  As we joked with Dick, we told him it was either him or the skunk, but he had to choose.  He assured us that in time he would carry his weight......and after some time, he did just that.

DICK WITH HIS FIRST STEELHEAD OF THE DAY

So, now that the skunk was out of the bag and headed elsewhere, all that was left was to have fun with the day....and fun we did have!!!  The fish continued to come throughout the day and we welcomed every one.  The weather was very nice also, especially for one of the last days of Fall.

STEVE AND CHUCK SHARE ANOTHER FISH MOMENT

Now, back to lucky Chucky or Chucky Baby as we called him on the walk out :O

Yes, we were just moments into the day....Chuck had lost one and landed another...what a start to the day.  After warming up his hands, I guess he thought he would try to take it the next step.  

I was standing over his shoulder directing him in where he should be casting....I said, "Try casting out along that dark ledge you see.  Fish like to lay along those kind of areas."  Chuck followed directions to a "T".  Then all at once the indicator stopped, he checked up, and a Slab O' Silver came rolling to the top.  I instantly broke for the net and told him to be easy on her if necessary.  The "between the lines" was, "DON'T LOSE THAT FISH!"

I knew it was a nice fish, and didn't really wait for it to play out.  As soon as I could get close and see her moment of weakness, I struck and came up a winner.

Here before me was a man that by days end we were calling Chucky Baby, because he flat out kicked butt all day!!!

 

WITH HIS FIRST FISH EVER NOW LANDED, CHUCK DECIDES TO STEP IT WAY UP ON DAY ONE AND NAIL A 30" HEN THAT WEIGHED IN AT 11.25 -11.50lbs.

All the guys did a fine job on the day, but Chuck surprised us all.  So, Chuck, if you are reading this.....Here's to you mister catch them all in one day all-star (budweiser song playing in background)....you throw bare hooks and fish rush from other rivers just to be in the same water as you (song still playing)  When others are trying to get just one fish you look up stream and say if you were only "Chucky Baby." (Song plays on)....Here's to you mister steelheader master.   :)  In all seriousness, congrats guys on one heck of a day.

Going back a few days, John Miller was on the water recently with Patrick and his buddies.  Patrick also stepped it up as a first timer and had an awesome couple of days.

PATRICK WITH HIS FIRST FISH....DESPITE THE SNOWY CONDITIONS

THE RAW BEAUTY OF A STEELHEAD ON THE ALLEY

PATRICK WITH ANOTHER NICE SPECIMEN FROM HIS TIME WITH JOHN

Tomorrow I will be back out on the water and hope to see just as many chrome fish.  I will be with a returning client who knows how to get it done, so that is the plan.

If you can handle near freezing water and challenging travel conditions at times, then get out.  The fish are fresh and still moving in, so got get em.....we are :)

Tight Lines,

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

A Pride of Lions

When the water is too high to swing flies, which is not that often, or has too little visibility, which is more often the case, or a combination of both then it's time to sit at the vice and get some work done.

Currently I'm tying up a bunch on Lion's Mane streamers. This is a pattern I started tying last spring. I hesitate to call anything I tie an "original" pattern since virtually all fly patterns are slight variations on an established theme. So, I'll say it's original to me and leave it at that. And given the fact I don't really consider myself a "tyer" that's not saying much...

Really nothing special; rabbit, flashabou, ice dub and plastic bead chain eyes. This fall I've been working on various color combinations and which colors fish best under what conditions. I CAN say that all of them have caught fish as both myself and clients have had plenty of opportunity to swing flies for steelhead this fall and winter. In fact, if you look close at some of the pics I post you'll see them stuck in the corner of a fish's mouth.

Anyway, Greg has convinced me that some of you may be interested in purchasing the Lion's Mane streamer (and I have had a handful of clients already ask) so sometime in the next couple of months they will be available for purchase. NOTE: A complete selection of colors will be available soon, these pics show just of a few of the colors I tie and fish.

For now, if your interested in purchasing them contact Greg Senyo at gregsenyo@yahoo.com. In the future they will be available directly from the Steelhead Alley Outfitters website.

Also, if you are interested in learning how to tie the Lion's Mane streamer shoot Greg an email and let him know. If there's enough interest, I'll put together a post for the Steelhead Alley Outfitters fly tying blog site.

The fly tying blog site has excellent step-by-step fly tying instructions. Check it out at http://www.steelheadalleyflytying.blogspot.com/

Will Turek

Wabbit Wangler, SAO guide

Swing 'Em if You Got 'Em

This time of year weather conditions can be unpredictable at best. Snow, sleet, rain.... and 50 degree temperatures. Perhaps it's just me, but it seems like the extreme lows and highs are more extreme than ever. Will there ever be such a thing as a "normal" season again, if there ever was such a thing to begin. Among the lake effect snow storms, shelf ice. wild swings in temperature and yo-yo river flows there has been a silver lining... Great conditions for swinging flies!!

The swung fly technique for catching steelhead is 180 degrees opposite to indicator fishing. We fish an indictor above nymphs and eggs to "indicate" when the fish strikes the flies and to "indicate" whether or not a "dead drift" of the flies through the water's current is achieved. Remember, neither the nymphal stage of an aquatic insect nor an egg has means of independent locomotion in the current. They move from place to place by floating with the current or "dead drifting". Thus the need for mending (manipulating the line in the air or on the water) to reduce or eliminate any "drag" produced from the floating fly line laying across different speed currents and imitate the "dead drift" of the natural food source as it travels down river.

Swinging flies intentionally makes use of the current to INDUCE drag on a floating or sinking line to swing the line and fly across the current in an arc until it comes to rest downstream parallel to the bank. Since swinging flies typically means fishing streamers, which imitate baitfish, the movement of the fly in an arc across the river is essential to mimicking the natural behavior of prey that can swim in the current.

Typically, though not always, when indicator fishing an angler works upstream. When swinging, an angler ALWAYS works downstream casting across and on a downstream angle for each presentation. Indicator fishing targets all the fish in a river. A swung fly specifically targets the more active and/or aggressive fish. So, while indicator fishing has the potential to be more productive, the strike of a fish taking a swung fly can be powerful enough to rip the rod out of angler's hand.

(NOTE: If you're fishing an indicator and come across another angler swinging flies always ask to put in ABOVE them. Never make the mistake of jumping in the river downstream. It's considered extremely poor etiquette).

The recurring high water through the fall and winter has resulted in river flows perfectly suited to catching steelhead using swung fly techniques. (Low water is no good because there is not enough current to swing the line and fly across the river). More than once I've had to cancel clients that wanted to fish indicators because the water was too high, then went out to swing flies on my own. Some anglers will argue that swinging flies in the winter is simply not effective due to cold water and lower metabolism of the fish resulting in less active or aggressive behavior. While it's true that very cold water does limit the number of "players" among the fish already in the river, steelhead are migratory and fresh fish are always moving into the system. It's possible to consistently catch fish on the swing in water temps as cold as 34 degrees, although the catching picks up noticeably once the water temp reaches 36-38 degrees. The bottom line is learning the swung fly technique can increase an angler's number of fishable days on the river.

While it's possible to swing flies with either a single or two-hand rod, anyone who reads this blog with regularity knows I'm a strong advocate of spey casting and using two-hand rods. A couple reasons why I feel the two-hand is superior to the single hand: easier to make long(er) casts in tight conditions; easier to cast sinking tips and turn over larger flies necessary to catch fish in higher flows; distributes the work of casting across more muscles reducing angler fatigue; significantly eases the difficulty casting in the wind; can cast overhead or spey. I find it such a pleasurable and exciting way to fish that when I'm not guiding, I'm almost exclusively swinging flies on the Lake Erie tribs with a two-hand rod.

Don't get stuck inside because you're fishing techniques are limited or you don't have the right equipment. Make lemonade from lemons and learn how to swing flies, put a "switch rod" on your Xmas list and take a spey casting lesson or two. You'll be happy you did!

(NOTE: The most versitile rod for the Lake Erie tribs is a 10.5 to 11 foot 6-8wt "switch rod". A switch rod is a hybrid single and two-hand rod that can be fished with either one or two hands, cast overhead or spey with single hand or spey lines, and handle up to a 10' sink-tip of T14 with a large fly. Occasionally, when the flows are really high then a slightly larger two-hand rod such as a 12.5-13.5 foot 7-8wt rod can be advantageous).

Will Turek

Head Swinger, SAO guide

PS. Midwest Spey School will be offering a Switch Rod specific spey class in the Spring. Check this site for more details or send an email to willturek@midwestspey.com if you're interested in switch rods, spey casting or swung fly techniques.

Right Place at the Right Time

How fast things change. Just Friday night when I drove back from PA all the OH tribs were running high and off color. And by Monday, when I went out to scout the possibility of fishable water for the week everything was low and nearly locked up in ice. After almost two weeks of sustained high flows the bottom finally fell out of the slow melt and everything dropped like a rock, including the air and water temperature.

I didn't bother to arrive at the river until mid-morning on Monday due the extreme cold weather temps. And when I did, I made a half-hearted attempt at trying to break through the slush in the river, but gave up after 2 #3/0 shot wouldn't do the trick. Yep, it was starting to look and feel like our xmas goose was cooked. By the time I left the water nearing one o'clock there was still so much slush in the water it was not fishable. Making one last stop on the way home, the rivers were finally clear by about 3pm. By then, however, I was defeated and couldn't even muster the enthusiasm to slip into my bootfoot waders and cast a line. I beat it on home to tie up a few flies in the hope that the next day's warm weather and rain didn't arrive too soon and blow the rivers out again.

Typical of this fall's crazy weather pattern, Tuesday's temps jumped a good 20 degrees from the 30s to almost 50 and brought with it another round of "slight" precipitation. With fingers crossed, I headed out to meet my guys and see what the day would bring. Fortunately, the warm night temps and early morning drizzle made for favorable water conditions, i.e. NO SLUSH in the water. Flows bumped up to very nice fishable levels and good color - perhaps the best I've seen all fall. So what if we had to dodge a few ice rafts that had melted free and were returning to their natal spawning ground in the lake.

The morning was slow, but after a quick move farther east we started to hit pay dirt... or in this case metal, steel specifically.

Mike Bowman his first fish steelhead on the swing.

Brothers Mike and John came up from Columbus to sample our Lake Erie tribs for the first time. They both had lots of experience fishing for trout and bass, but were brand new to the steelhead game. That's not to say they didn't come unprepared, especially Mike. He came with a game plan in place and stuck to it. Mike had been bitten by the 2H rod bug a year or so past and had quickly accumulated 3 two-handers. He was determined to swing flies and accept the consequences come what may. I respect that commitment to the swung fly and was determined that even with 34 degree water temps we would find a couple silver fish willing to cooperate.

John with a heavy, colored-up steelhead.

John was no slouch either, and after Mike was done celebrating his first steelhead on the swing proceeded to put-on a mini-clinic in the afternoon going 3 for 4 on the indicator.

John with a nicely colored fish number two.

John releasing fish number three.

Unfortunately, by late afternoon the steady drizzle began to start showing signs of taking it's toll on the water conditions. The beautiful emerald green water color grew murky, then slightly off color. Random attacks by pirate ice rafts and shale cliff ice bombs grew increasingly alarming. Determined to get one more for the road on the swing, we high tailed it downstream. How quickly things change. In the time it took us to walk a quarter mile, the river went from off color to a solid lane of mud and rose enough to crack the remaining shelf ice along the bank.

Not daunted by the quick turn of fate and less than optimal conditions, Mike jumped into the run and started to swing. After a dozen casts or so, and with dusk rapidly appraoching, Mike let a loud exlamation and his rod doubled over. FISH ON! After a short fight, with the steelhead getting the better of Mike the river had finally blown out.

It felt good knowing I had made the right call pushing Mike and John's trip to Teusday and making the call to take it on down the line to another river. With a little calculation and luck we had managed to be in the right place at the right time to shake hands with a few of our silver friends.

SAO Icebreaker

Will Turek

SAO show schedule and events.

A NICE NEW YORK TRIBUTARY BROWN CAUGHT BY GUIDE JOHN MILLER.

Hello everyone!!! Hope you have enjoyed the holidays and the fall season as much as we have. Below is a short list of events that we will be at providing steelhead schools, presentations, and fly tying demonstrations from December into 2009. We will gradually be adding all destinations once dates are finalized.

ROB WITH A LITTLE THANKSGIVING SILVER.

For those of you going to AK with us in 2009 the next news letter will go out in January, and our Canada trips are just about full. If you are interested in attending with us, just give me a shout 419-466-9382. We are also looking at near full bookings for trout fishing this spring and summer at our brook trout retreats in PA, but a few weekends and week days are still available, just call for details.

STEELHEAD GUIDE TIM HESS WITH A NOVEMBER SILVER BULLET.

Remember the spring Steelhead run is just around the corner and our spring dates are filling fast. Our staff of dedicated and seasoned veteran fly fishing and spey fishing guides will be expanded to 14 soon. Our guides are deeply vested into the fly fishing community hosting events and providing education and excellence to clients, companies, and fly shops throughout the region and have been doing so for years. Additionally, we have received 100% feed back on quality of service and continue to do so. In our continued pursuit of greater levels of service to you, our clients, we have been working on procuring guide licenses for the state of Pennsylvania. We are happy to announce that starting in 2009, we will go from 2 Pennsylvania guide licenses to 7 fully licensed Pennsylvania fly fishing guides. We are now able to service any group, club, or business trips you may desire for both Ohio or Pennsylvania waters or a combination of them both.

We would like to thank the folks at Folly's End and Elk Creek Sports for their contributions and support of our staff and family here at SAO.

STEELHEAD ON THE SWING.

TENTATIVE SHOW AND EVENT SCHEDULE:

DECEMBER 12, 2008 MAD RIVER OUTFITTERS, COLUMBUS OHIO

W/ GREG SENYO,PATRICK ROBINSON, WILL TUREK

STEELHEAD PRESENTATION, STEELHEAD FLY TYING AND TUBE FLIES, SPEY CASTING AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

JANUARY 10, 2009 INDIANA ON THE FLY SHOW, INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA

W/ GREG SENYO, PATRICK ROBINSON, WILL TUREK, BRIAN FLECHSIG

* GREG WILL BE A FEATURED FLY TYER

* WILL IS A FEATURED SPEY CASTER AND SHOW SPEAKER

JANUARY 10, 2009 NCFF EXPO, CLEVELAND OHIO

W/JOHN CLOUSER, GRAHAM STOKES, JEREMY HOFFMAN,JOEL BOCK

JANUARY 16-18 2009 GRAY DRAKE OUTFITTERS, NEWAYGO MI

W/GREG SENYO

STEELHEAD FLIES FROM EGGS TO TUBES

JANUARY 24-25 2009 FFF SHOW NEW JERSEY

W/ GREG SENYO EUMER TUBE FLY CO. PRO

JANUARY 31, 2009 ERIE OUTFITTERS, SHEFFIELD OHIO

W/ GREG SENYO, PATRICK ROBINSON

FLY TYING AND STEELHEAD PRESENTATION

FEBRUARY 20, 2009 COLTON BAY OUTFITTERS, ANN ARBOR MI

W/GREG SENYO, PATRICK ROBINSON

FLY TYING AND STEELHEAD PRESENTATION

FEBRUARY 28, 2009 ORVIS DAYTON OHIO

W/ GREG SENYO, PATRICK ROBINSON

FLY TYING AND STEELHEAD PRESENTATION

MARCH 14, 2009 FOLLY'S END FLY SHOP, GIRARD PA

W/GREG SENYO, PATRICK ROBINSON

FLY TYING AND STEELHEAD PRESENTATION

SEVERAL MORE STILL TO BE ADDED DATES ARE STILL NOT SET.

Tight lines and see you soon!!!!

Greg Senyo

Owner/Operator

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

SAO Update and a change of pace.

A view of deer camp before hitting the woods Monday morning.

Since we had the rivers at higher flows to start the week, we decided against guiding "skinny water" which is hardly worth our clients hard earned investments and valuable time, and instead rescheduled for better days later in the month.

Having this brief opportunity in our busy season, I found a way to sneak away for the first couple of days of deer season in PA. Yes I know, the streams are usually open and uncrowded during the hunting season, but when you spend as much time on the water as this staff does, any small break keeps us from turning into fish ourselves.

I made it to our family camp in Warren, PA in the wee hours on Monday morning with enough time to take a short nap before breakfast and heading to my tree stand. It was nice to wake up to the smell of a hot breakfast of bacon & eggs, toast and hash browns, and see the excitement and anticipation of my father, grandfather, and friends get ready for the morning hunt.

An inside view of our deer camp.

It was lightly snowing this morning as I made my way through the Forrest, and with the 20 plus inches of snow covering the ground I hardly needed a flash light to find my way Thur the dark. The temperature was pleasantly in the mid 30's with very little wind and I knew I would need to keep a sharp eye and would be able to see the deer coming from a distance this morning.

As the day light snuck up on me, I was greeted by two chunky gray squirrels digging through the snow and earth in search of hidden acorns and beech nuts. You know the squirrels I am talking about, right? The ones that never seem to leave and run around your stand all morning making you think you hear the deer walking in on you only to realize you have been fooled again...

At about 7:30am the first set of deer started moving up the ridge toward my stand. It was two doe; a mother and her yearling. They kept looking back behind them and eventually as I had hoped a nice buck was moving in. He had his nose tight to the ground and was on a steady pace toward the two does. Where I hunt there are antler restrictions that limit a legal buck in my region to 3 visible points on one side on the rack to be able to harvest a male deer, Well it was pretty hard to determine whether this buck was legal while on the move and also through the thick saplings and dense shrubs and under growth this boy was moving thru. I could only make out a single "y" on him even know he had a tall rack, and slowly watched him fade out of view.

My half rack 4 point from monday's hunt.

Well once again and as always I would not be the notorious first shot heard by hunters around the area and due to my fascination with fly fishing for steelhead I probably never will be. It didn't take long for the next set of deer to move within view. Seven does where quickly pushing out of the valley to the right of me and heading to the top of the mountain. The path they were taking would lead the herd about 90 yards from me and only give me one opportunity for a shot. I kept my scope on them and as fast as possible scanned the deer for any signs of antlers. Following the group of doe was another small 4 point buck and in the distance taking up the rear I could see another deer coming. this deer was really moving and hard to keep in the scope, but as soon as it came into view I saw a heavy rack and could see at least 3 points on his antler. I pain stakingly waited for him to move up the mountain, and as he reached the small opening.....

The woods went silent briefly or maybe it was just my ears from the blast, but my aim was true and I had just harvested my first buck in the past 5 years.( steelhead fishing is highly addictive and may interfere with other outdoor activities) Shortly after I heard another shot and our good friend Skip also had taken a buck, a first for him in some time as well.

Dad taking care of the crew, and always puts together the best meal at the end of the day.

Later that evening we all got together for a fine dinner of a crock pot venison roast, carrots, mash potatoes, sweet corn, and mushroom gravy. We all sat together feeding our faces and reminiscing about today's hunt and past experiences together not only as hunters and outdoors man but as a family!! I can't wait till my son is old enough to experience the traditions I have been fortunate enough to have.

Hot venison roast and all the trimmings after a good hunt!!!

I am proud to have been able to spend my entire life with a sporting traditions family, Living on the Lake Erie tributaries where I have spent more time on the water than most will ever image and to the Allegheny mountains hunting deer, turkey, and bear.. I have always been surrounded by good people and was able to weed the fools and fakes out of my life because of my up bringing in a great community like Girard, PA and a core family and friends that push you and believe in you.

Team Senyo, Grand Dad, Dad, myself and Skip.

My brother Mike also got an 8 point today, his first buck!!! I will update his photo shortly.

I hope you enjoyed this change of pace because now its time to get back at it, and hit the streams for some great winter steelhead fishing.. Stay tuned for our 2009 show schedule in the coming week!!!

Take care and good luck the rest of the season!!!!

Greg Senyo SAO