Brook Trout, Good Food, and Great Times!

Our Brook Trout Retreats have started and it feels really good to be off Steelhead Alley! I almost feel guilty for picking up the super fine trout rods, just knowing the rest of the gang is working hard on our Lake Erie Tributaries... Good thing was it only took about an hour to tune in and zone out on nothing but good company, Lot's of fattening foods, and small trout!

Our first trip of the season welcomed in the Reel Woman-Reel Men Fly Fishing Club from Indianapolis. Everyone met up Friday Afternoon at my cabin in the Allegheny's and shared a few laughs and refreshments before dinner. The consensus was unanimous on the rest and relaxation and looking forward to the quiet and laid back trout getaway.

A view of the trout stream we would fish for the weekend from the front door of our cabin.

After a few hours of meet and greet, and popping a few of my father's famous cherries it was time for dinner. Each day we had something different from Steak & Wild Rice, Home made Roasted Pepper Spaghetti and meat balls, to good old BBQ Chicken and Veggies. Add in a few fresh wild berry pies and everyone was stuffed to the gills.

After Dinner everyone sat around talking about all the great fishing experiences each has had on the fly. As a group we all prepared new leaders and got all of our gear in order for the morning and tied up some of the flies patterns we would use over the course of the weekend.

Grilling chicken breast for our first evening dinner!

Breaking bread together and sharing a few good stories!

Jason Gregory ties a few flies for Patti to use in the morning.

Each morning we would split into groups and slowly work the stream until lunch. Everyone caught trout each day and were able to fish at his or her pace and enjoy the whole experience for what it really is.

After a wonderful and relaxing stream side lunch each day, we would set out again to find a few more hungry trout to entice on the fly. Mid afternoons were really good all weekend long with small #16 to #20 Caddis, Stone fly, and BWO's coming off the water. Dry and dropper combinations and 6x tippet put alot of trout to the net and made for some exciting takes.

Gary with a decent Brook Trout taken on a #18 CDC Stone fly.

Lori with one on the dropper, with this Brook Trout Taking a # 16 Pink larvae.

Small streamers took there fair share of strikes each day as well and provided opportunities to catch fish in some very tight spots. Woolly buggers, Muddlers, buck tails, and Bear's Cross dresser minnow tied in sizes #12-#10 were hot patterns.

Small Brown Trout that took a #10 Blue Pearl Bugger Pattern.

It was a ton of fun to watch and help everyone over the course of the weekend! It was even more enjoyable to see friends and partners fish, high five, hoot and holler, and just have a great weekend with one another. I mean seriously this is what fly fishing was intended to be like!

Another Brook Trout that took a #18 BH pheasant tail dropper.

Patti with one of many beautiful Brook Trout each day.

Duane fished hard each day and came away with some great memories.

Gary helps his wife Lori by netting one of her Trout, it was simply awesome watching these two work a pool with dries. They both have a passion for trout and for fishing with each other...

Our property had alot of history with in the Mountain. Old bed rock bridge embankments cross the stream is several places along way from any public road. These bridges were built by the Monks in the early 1900's while in the region teaching Christianity to the Corn Planter Indians.

Bridge embankment seen on the right side of the photo.

Jason Admires a small Brown Trout before releasing it.

Bugs were popping...

Jason sits along the stream and selects a new bug for Gary to try.

Alot of the time we are all in to much of a rush and miss all the little things that fishing small secluded trout streams offer, such as the beautiful scenery, endless wildlife, and the pure peace and quiet experienced away from our busy and hectic schedules and life styles. Belows pictures remind me of those things and memories we all need to revisit now and again.

Gary makes a cast to a trout working the surface.

The Brook trout Gary caught on that cast!

Working one of the cabin pools.

Nice Brook Trout caught on Bear's Cross Dresser Streamer Pattern.

Long and relaxing lunches and a bonfire during the afternoon.

Lori hooked up on a real good trout.

Bill had the hot rod on day one landing several healthy trout.

Brook Trout that took a small BWO.

Lori drifting a small boulder filled pool.

Gary working his dry dropper rig through a nice run.

An up close body shot of one of our many wild brown trout.

When It was all said and done; Everyone had a wonderful time and caught a ton of trout. They also left the cabin a few pounds heavier! After getting the cabin ready for the next group I needed to get out for a long hike and hook one for myself... There is something about trout fishing that is always apart of your life, and I am so glad time is taken to pursue simple pleasures!

Simple pleasures and brilliant colors!

I hope this post helps you day dream of simple pressures and small trout, and helps you escape for just a few moments from your work and the office!!! Until Next time!!!

Sincerely,

Greg Senyo

Owner/Operator SAO

A Change Of Pace...

Our Steelhead season on Lake Erie is slowly coming to an end! The Great news is we have changed gears and have really started to focus on our trout fishing trips and retreats, and the up coming Small Mouth Bass season is looking very good.

Lake Erie Tributary Small Mouth that took a Creek Chub Ice Man Minnow Tube. We are booking Small Mouth fly trips now and dates are going fast. If you are interested in fishing bass on the fly, we would love to spend the day with you on the water!

SAO Guide John Miller with a 20+ inch Delaware River Brown Trout. Both John Miller and Scott McClintock are working the summers with the West Branch Angler, and report that the fishing is getting hot! If you are interested in big browns on dries give us a shout and we will get you hooked up with one of the guys!

Sorry about not getting every one's pictures up it a timely manner! It's been a busy but great season for all the guys at SAO! Here are a few more of the pictures from mid April with SAO Guide Mike Schultz. Before the water got too low "Schultzy" got his guys into some great swing action with the hot fly being one of Mike's custom 6" string sculpins. Check out the photo's Below!

Jim Petty and SAO Guide Mike Schultz with a fat buck caught on one of Mike's String Sculpins.

Jim Petty and Mike Mulvahill double up on the swing.

Mike with another good fish!

Jim with a good drop back on Schultzy's egg stealing string sculpin.

Swinging was good on this day!

Big sculpins were the ticket!

We'll have alot more for you soon, and we will have more of our spring steelhead pics up in the coming days. Thank you everyone for an outstanding spring season so far!!!

Tight Lines!!!

Greg Senyo

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

A Low Water Week Gives Way....Finally!!

Well, as I speak, it is raining straight down. This is altogether uncommon this spring on the Alley and unfortunately our streams were really showing it. In fact on one of our bigger streams, the Grand River, the flows were as low as we typically see in June and sometimes July. As you can imagine, that really had it's way with Steelhead here the last couple of weeks.

However, as I said earlier, it is raining and everything is looking a bit more spring around here. Despite the less than ideal conditions, we did manage to get out and fish this week...with and without clients.

We also had the opportunity to cast the long rods at the first annual Castapalooza on the Grand River this past Saturday. Although the canoe race that Lake County Metro Parks puts on every spring was cancelled due to low water, we still had a stellar turnout! It is always nice to get with the guys in the Spey game who know what they are doing and not just talking like they do!

So, here is a sampling of a few of the photos from the week. More are coming in and with any luck, you will see those in the days to come.

The Long Rods at Hidden Valley Park on the Grand River....

Home to Castapalooza 2010.

Jerry Darkes did a fine job of organizing this event and many great people were in attendance. Spey instructor and enthusiast Will Turek was on hand for teaching the art of the two hander as was Neil Houlding, renowned fly casting instructor...especially in the art of Spey! For all who were there, it was great getting to see you and cast with you. For those who missed it, yes, you did.....but there is always next year!

Jeff Liskay tries out the new 7/8 G-Loomis

Roaring River Greased Line Rod.

Jim practices his stroke with different rod

throughout the day.

Will Turek of SAO teaches on the principles and practics

of utilizing a two-hander.

As I said earlier, we also had time to get out with clients for some fish. They were tougher this week with the low water, but fish were still brought to the nets of many of our guides.

Nathan scores a hen out of hole full holding Steelhead.

Alan with the first Steelhead of his career!

Steelhead and a fine Padron Cigar...Alan just

isn't complete without either!

SAO Guide John Clouser hammers a big buck!

A shiny little skipper hammered this bugger into next fall!

Phil shows off a battle wary buck.

SAO Guides John Clouser and Ben Barger took Brent and Cliff fishing for Steelhead over a couple days this week and here are some shots of the mixed bag opportunities.

Lake Run Smallmouth are in!

Lake Erie Bonefish are Abundant!

Steelhead are still being caught

and Smallmouth are coming more and more!

SAO guide Jason Gregory had some repeat clients this week as well. Ed and Jocelyn had a lot of fun last year and came back for more.....it was a great couple of days!

Jocelyn shows off her skills....."Check this out Ed!"

Ed & Jocelyn share a moment on Steelhead Alley!

Got Kype?

A somewhat fresher buck comes in to stake his claim

Jason Gregory was also out with the Matulevich father and son duo. These trout fisherman put the hurtin' on these wily steelhead in low water.

Dad shows off his fly fishing prowess

Not so fast Dad....check this out!

A nice hen in hand is always a welcome thing!

And there is always time for a quality father/son shot!

All in all, it was a good week. Conditions were tough, but fish could be found and caught. The rain is still falling hard and the streams are most likely going to stay blown for the first part of the week if not into mid to late week depending on the streams. This will flush most fish that were in out to the lake. There is a chance of some fish coming in, but we won't know until the waters drop.

One thing is for sure....the Smallmouth game is on! More will be coming in with this high water and the game will only get better in the coming month. We will keep our eyes on things and let you know what we find.

Tight Lines,

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters