The Fast & The Furious

Fast and furious seems to be fitting as a title for this fall's steelhead season. We have been fortunate to have decent precipitation but not too much (until recently) and new fish have come in with every push of water. So, at times the water has been fast and the fish furious and on other days it has been fast fish and furious waters....either way, its been fun!

For many this fall the rain has meant very good days on the water, while for others it has been a true day of fishing. Any way you slice it though, aren't they all good days....really? I can't tell you how often I hear guys say, "Oh, the fish are just a bonus...I just like getting out!" It seems that the older I get, the more I am slowing down and understanding the depth of that truth. Sometimes it is more the fellowship with friends in a gorgeous setting that really makes the day...afterall, a big fish caught alone just doesn't have the same impact as one shared with a friend.

Fortunately, I have some friends I get to share these kinds of things with and on regular occasion I get to see others share with their friends the experience we know as Steelhead Alley. We are very fortunate to be on these kind of waters and make memories with so many great people. Here are just a few photos from my last three or four weeks.

Nathan and Steve hammer home a nice double

to finish a great day on the Alley.

Nathan brings a hen to hand and holds her

high for all to see the glory!

Steve hold a pretty buck while his buddy Mack

goes after his own in the background.

Mack finishes the job and poses with one of his own.

A nice hen for Mack yet again.

Steve got the day started in the stained waters.

The men of Reel Women /Reel Men of Indianapolis

pull a nice double on Steelhead Alley.

Bob shows off a colored buck

Joe finished his day with this beautiful hot hen

Bob lands a nice heavy shouldered tight Hen

Bob hits a hen and gains a smile.

Victor gets on the board with this beauty.

Eedo lands a solid buck in the shade of the day.

Currently the water is up and away, but we hope to be fishing again later in the week. Hot flies lately have been Chicken Littles, Bob's Minnows, Buggers of varying colors, Smurf Stones, Ice Man Minnows and various eggs in brighter colors in heavy flows and pale pastels on clearing water. No matter what you use, change up if you can't seem to find what they want.

In closing, if you are interested in booking or have questions, Greg is out for a few days, so call me at 419-348-7199. Best of luck on the water!

Patrick Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

FAMILY, FRIENDS AND MEMORIES!

Everyday I spend on the water leads to a new experience or a "deeper understanding". It is my realization that sometimes we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. At times it seems that time in and of itself escapes us. But, in a fleeting moment we decide to just breathe, slow down, and take it all in. Weeks, days and mere moments go by and create something quite special. You see, memories are made sometimes through our own accord and sometimes by happenstance. But, it is these memories that fuel our minds and feed our desires for life. During the past few weeks I had the opportunity to be apart of family and friends who decided to slow down and enjoy some time on the water. I thank all of you for the good times and memories........

Chris looking for the perfect drift. Thank you

to Tony Hunter for this quality shot!

The payoff!

Pat with a great looking hen, although the tree will never be the same!

Gary with a nicely colored steelie, and still giving me the "business".

Mike with a bruiser buck, finally falling to the perfect drift!

Anthony, I have to say, " I feel good about this one!"

Michael coming through with a great fish in tough conditions.

Rob with a perfect cast, dry-dropper fish. Awesome job!

John with his 300 yard dash prize. I'm still feeling this one!

Never give Up! Mr. Juriga with his prize. After losing footing

on a boulder and landing in enough water to drown the best of us,

he still kept the rod high, got to his feet and landed this fish.

All I can say is WOW! (and thanks for shortening my life a few years)

With Thanksgiving upon us, I would like to give you all a sincere thank you and wish you and your families the best over the holidays. And I would especially like to thank my wife and children for allowing me the time to pursue my passion, love you guys!

Until next time................

Tim Hess

Fly Fishing Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Start Em' Young!

Very proud dad + fun-loving son + great fishing conditions = UNBELIEVABLE DAY! They say "memories last a lifetime" and I can assure you that a few were made on Saturday. 5 Yr old Georgie (yep.... 5 yrs old) totally "blew my mind" last week, for lack of a proper phrase. I had a few reservations and they were met head-on by the anxious and tenacious young lad. I spoke with George Sr., the night before the trip and he had said that he understood this was not easy fishing, but Georgie was not your average boy. "He fishes almost every day" expressed a proud father, and he is "ready to go."

This was dad's best of the day.

No Comment Needed...

Georgie was convinced that he could hold his own fish...

An excellent catch, and a "graceful" release:)

Best for last... this buck gave the lad all he could handle!

Simply Priceless...

There is a large lump in my throat while I construct this post. I am taken back to my boyhood days on the water with my father, and the memories are sweet. If you are able to relate, I am sure you also have a lump developing about now. I think its appropriate, being the week of thanksgiving, to share a few....

-Thanks George, for being committed to creating memories with your son....

-Thanks Dad, for doing the same with me....

Cheers To Bent Rods

Ben Barger

Professional Fly Fishing Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Lake Erie Steelhead Are On The Move.

The weather is here and so are the fish. Over the past week the order of the day seemed to be fishing heavily weighted nymphs or caddis pupa. Here are some pictures of of some nice fish and smiling fisherman. Good luck if and when you can get out!

A close up of a beautiful fall steelhead.

Bill with his first fish of the day.

Into the backing 3 times before this fish hit the net.

Hal got into this snub nose buck steelhead.

All smiles after landing this Lake Erie double.

Bill with a nice fish that took a caddis imitation.

Jim came out on top with great fish of his own.

Gary with a nice Lake Erie Steelhead to end a great day on the water.

It's time to get out there while the fishing is good. The weather is shaping up and we should get a push of fresh fish.

Until next time,

Scott McClintock

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

It's About Time!

Well we finally got some of that fall precipitation that seemed to be avoiding the alley the past few weeks. The high flows should flush out the majority of the leaves and debris that have been creating havoc with our flies! Most everyone is also looking forward to seeing a fresh push of Lake Erie Steelhead as well, and at least a short end to the low, clear water fishing conditions over the past few weeks...

Looks like the Ohio Tributaries will be off line for the next few days, with the PA Tributaries dialing in possibly as soon as tomorrow. Cold temps and snow showers are right around the corner! Here are a few pics from this week.

Bernie with the thumbs up on Nick's First Lake Erie Steelhead!

It didn't take long for Bernie to set the hook into is first Steelhead as well.

Sesie proudly poses with her biggest Lake Erie Steelhead to date!

Patti poses yet again with another "pig" Lake Erie Steelhead.

Released to hopefully see another lucky anglers fly!

When In Doubt.....

Anyone interested in a rain dance? I looked it up and found a few interesting, and very entertaining rain rituals...but I think we all employed a few other tactics to combat the conditions of late. All things considered, It has been a "technical" few days on the water, but the challenge has made the victories sweet....

Joe Jr. & Joe Sr. had a day to remember...

Joe Jr. proudly grips a healthy hen

Locating the willing takers meant a lot of walking, persistence, and communication with the entire staff of guides. The rigging became seemingly more critical than usual, resorting to large hoppers for indicators, and size 16's in some instances for the dropper.

Head Guide Patrick Robinson made a nice scoop on this PA hen...

Hans is all smiles and then some on this thick brute

Chip was lovin' this pretty lady

Conditions have been less than ideal, but what is new. When in doubt....get out the small stuff and enjoy some fall chrome. Give us a shout if your feeling the urge, the calendar still has a few open dates.

A sincere thanks to all the Veterans for your faithful service to this still-great nation!

Cheers to bent rods!

Ben Barger

Fly Fishing Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Staying Busy And Making The Best Of It!

Steelhead phenom Alex with a nice buck!

Ben and Alex with a father/son double.

Ben is all smiles after landing this nice lake run brown trout.

I can't wait to see a few more of these guys!

Jim poses with a solid PA steelhead.

Rob is all smiles after landing this heavy hen steelhead from a PA tributary.

Paul with on of the beautiful steelhead he caught on a recent trip.



On the water everyday, we'll have more when we can!
Have a great fall!
The Staff at SAO