Steelhead Alley Fishing Report & River Update...

Well, I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I know we did here at SAO. For most of us, it was much needed time off with family and friends!

I had the opportunity to get out of town to visit family, get out the old over and under, run my dog, and put down some birds. Now granted, they weren't wild birds (obviously....most of them are hens), but they were birds. We had a nice section of private property that we were able to release birds in the day before and they all worked just like wild birds, so we were very happy.

Most of the guys in the hunting party were new to bird hunting and left all of their birds in the field...call it brood stock for next year ; )

FAMILY AND FRIENDS WITH A FEW BIRDS

FROM THE DAYS HUNT.

As I was hunting, we did have a few of our die hard weekend/holiday warriors out on the water. Here are a few shots of the days catch.....some very nice fish and did someone say chrome? Oh yes, the fish are still coming in. Now just pray that the rivers don't freeze for another month....or better yet, that they don't at all. Now that is wishful thinking.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE CHROME

A HEALTHY FISH TO THE NET

WHAT EVERY REDNECK LOVES....CHROME!

ANOTHER NICE FISH FOR THE DAYS TALLY!

The waters came up today with the rain from last night, but remained fishable throughout the day. More fish are coming by the day and the fishing has improved over the low water conditions we had a couple weeks back.

We were out today and will be throughout the week, so we will keep you posted on what we find and how we do with the clients!

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Happy Thanksgiving! Steelhead Alley River Report...

First off Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and a special thank you to everyone who we had the opportunity to fish with so far this year!! Secondly we really are looking forward to fishing with each one of you coming up after the holiday... We were also hoping for some more rain and good flows to go with the turkey and stuffing!!

The little bit of rain we got last week is here and gone with the water levels in Ohio and PA are back on the low and clear side. The good news is that alot of rain/snow is showing in this weeks forecast, and if we get it expect another bump in the flows and better fishing for all...

Last week we made the difficult decision to cancel a good portion of that weeks trips and briefly halted our guide operations, those who have fished with us over the years have come to understand and trust us to make the best possible call on the fishing conditions for the alley. Yes a few steelhead can be caught during these dismal times, but guiding you during that weeks conditions especially with the large groups we had scheduled would not have been right on our part. For those we missed out on fishing with...We will see all you guys in December!!!

We all have alot to be thankful for as fly fishers on the Alley!!! Growing up and living in the region nearly my entire life, you really never truly appreciate the beauty the "Alley" has to offer.

We have alot to be thankful for on the alley!

Keith and Ken with a nice Lake Erie Steelhead.

Ken's turn to pose with a good PA steelhead!

This is what Steelhead fishing is all about!!! Smiles, Friends, and Family.

Jill with a gorgeous Ohio buck!!!

Alan with a fat PA hen steelhead!

SAO Guide John Miller finally got a day to get one for himself!

SAO Guide Tim Hess with a good fish! All the guys have put some serious miles on the waders and vehicles this fall to stay on top of the steelhead run.

SAO Guide John Clouser with a piece of Thanksgiving Chrome.

SAO Guide Brett McCrae poses with another satisfied steelheader!

Christine and her beau pose with some Grand River Steel.

From our family to yours, have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Greg Senyo

Owner/Operator

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Steelhead Alley River Report and Update...

Well, it has definitely been a busy fall thus far! We have had the pleasure of spending time with many great people and a lot of memories have been made. Below are some photos of some of our clients from the past couple of days.

Zack was all smiles after landing this nice buck!

Rick poses with a nice buck of his own...

Zack with another Solid Lake Erie Steelhead!

Eric with his prize after a good battle!

Joe with his first Lake Erie Steelhead! Great catch Joe!!!

Here at Steelhead Alley Outfitters, we have never been about numbers, but strive to focus more on our overall customer care and service. That means we will do what needs done within the ethical and moral boundaries that we abide by. Having said that, due to the worst river conditions we have seen in the month of November in years, Steelhead Alley Outfitters and all of the fly shops we represent across the region, have suspended our guide trips until river conditions improve.

Currently there is only one river fishing and that is the Grand River. It is low and clearing, but some fish can be caught if you are willing to go after it and deal with the mounting fishing pressure. In the past couple days, there have been more people and guide operations on the Grand than I can ever remember. In fact just yesterday I had 14 people in my stretch of river with 2 other guides and 6 clients below the 14 I could see. Simply put, we want better for our clients than what the conditions offer at this time. Therefore, we have made the tough decision to suspend all guide trips until some precipitation hits our watersheds and brings things back to normal November flows.

Until then, keep your eyes on our fly tying blogs. More tutorials will be going up in the days to come. To all of our clients, many thanks for your understanding during this low water period. When the waters rise, we will fish on!!!

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Playing Catch Up....Steelhead Alley Fishing Report

Well, it has been one busy fall so far and unfortunately it has kept me from getting to the blogging. Thanks to Greg and the others who have gotten around to keeping things hopping in my absence.

The conditions lately have been challenging on the Alley, but we have done our best to put clients on fish. Some days have been easier than others, but all in all, fish have come to hand and at times in liberal numbers.

Rain is still the focal point for us here at SAO as most all rivers are either low or extremely low. A little water would go a long way to helping improve conditions at hand. Regardless of what the water levels are doing, the fish are doing what they do best....moving! Every day the locations to fish change due to the movement of fish. So, keep on the move and it will pay off.

For my clients the past couple of weeks, many miles have been covered to get the coveted steel. All in all it has been a great couple of weeks with some stellar clients. Here is just a few photos from some of my days on the water....

JIM WITH A MONSTER BUCK WE CALLED

"BRUISER" HE WEIGHED IN AT 14.25LBS,

HAD 2 LAMPREY SCARS AND OTHER

BATTLE WOUNDS.

JOE WITH A HEAVY SHOULDERED PA HEN.

A BEAUTIFUL FISH ON A REALLY NICE DAY!

ONCE AGAIN, JIM SHOWS HIS FLY

FISHING PROWESS

THE CHICKEN HAWK PRODUCES YET AGAIN.

A NICE PIECE OF CHROME ALWAYS

BRINGS A SMILE.

SENYO'S ICE MAN MINNOW BRINGS

FISH SCREAMING.

WARREN AND ANNE SHARE A MOMENT

ON STEELHEAD ALLEY

TOM CATCHES STEEL AT FIRST LIGHT

LATER IN THE MORNING MORE FISH CAME

TOM BUSTS A BIG BUCK

CHROME SWEET CHROME

CINDY SHOWED HER HUSBAND THAT

SHE WOULDN'T BE OUT FISHED!

CINDY WITH ONE HECK OF A NICE FISH!

We are on the water every day and I look forward to spending some more time with those of you who have come fishing with me this past week. The next week or so, we are busy, busy and hoping for some rain to improve the conditions.

Oh, and one more thing before I get back to tying up flies....I saw numerous people on the streams this past week who said they are utilizing our patterns that are available on the fly tying blog. If you get out and use the patterns, snap a few shots and feel free to email me the photos. We would love to put your photos up on our blog.

Best of luck out there on the water!

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Still Going....Lake Erie Steelhead Report and Update!

Still no major rain in the forecast for us! Go Figure!!! Fishing has been tough but the guys are bringing some hard earned fish to the net. I wish I had better news, but it is what it is... Keep the offerings small and stay light on the tippet! Be prepared to make your feet sore, and be on the move! We are still going and will have more later. Until then here area a few more recent steelhead trip photos.

SAO Guide Mike Schultz and Josh pose with a hefty Ohio Steelhead!

Rich poses with this early morning buck.

Gary with son Josh and a good Ohio buck steelhead.

Tommy and a great looking buck!

Greg With a heavy kyped Ohio buck.

SAO guide Mike Schultz and Tommy pose with this pretty lady.

Steve with a nice PA buck steelhead

Dan prepares to release his steelhead.

SAO Guide Brett McCrae and Steve pose with a heavy PA Buck!

Bernard and Ben pose with a good fish.

Ben poses with a nice silver buck.

Ben holds the net while his father Bernard release his steelhead.

Pray for rain and we will have more for you in time...

Good Luck and have fun out there!!!

Greg Senyo

Owner/Operator

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

A Little Bit of Gold to go with that Steelhead...Lake Erie Steelhead Fly Fishing Report

The conditions around the region continue to be low and clear. We are seeing a little bit of rain to our west but not enough to change any of the rivers on the alley. The fishing is tougher than normal for November, but it has also been very rewarding. Stay after it and enjoy any time you can spend along your favorite tributary. Patience and perseverance are paying off for the angler willing to be on the constant move!!!

Dave with a gorgeous Lake Erie Brown Trout!! Awesome Fish Dave!!!

Dave with a little bit of Silver to compliment that gold!

Dave with a good buck!

Ken poses with an perfect looking Ohio steelhead!

If you can get out this week try to keep the fly patterns on the small side. #14 olive, tan, and cream colored nymphs have been good producers. # 12 and # 14 pastel colored egg patterns such as micro nukes and sucker spawns in cream, white, peach, yellow, and light pink will be in order.

Keep the feet moving and do a little rain dance!!! We will give you another update here very soon... Good Luck!

Greg Senyo

Owner/Operator

Steelhead Alley Outfitters