Ice Out Is Here…Let The Fishing Begin

Well, after the coldest and longest winter I can remember, the break has finally shown itself.  The rivers are blown and dropping back and the fishing will begin in ernest this week!  Sure there is still a lot of ice on the banks and sometimes in the flow, but we are free from the grip of winter, so let the celebration begin!

After many weeks of tying flies of all sorts and varieties for all kinds of species, I am more ready than ever to get out and bust some chrome or any fish for that matter.  Here is one of my favorite ties as of late that will eventually get the job done.

A NICE 3/0 SPEY FLY READY TO HIT THE WATER AND DO THE JOB.

And when I'm not busy chasing chrome, I hope to get out and give a shot at sticking some toothy critters too.  That being the case, I decided to tie up some "go big or go home" kind of flies too.  Here is one such fly for Muskie that I hope will be wet in coming weeks!

A FLY TIED UP AND READY FOR A HUNGRY TOOTHY TYPE!

Regardless of what species of fish you are going after, the ice is gone from most rivers and the waters are ready to be worked by those who are willing.

If you are interested in hitting the water this spring for some Steelhead or Smallmouth, give us a shout and let us help you put some fish in the bag!  You can call us at (888) 453-5899 or email us at team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Sincerely,

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson
Director of Operations
Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Get Your Bass Off The Couch!

Right now the Smallmouth Bass fishing has been good with plenty of fish willing to play. The area tributaries are at their usual low/clear conditions, so long leaders, good casting, and slow retrieves are required if you want to be successful. The best flies have been basic Black, Olive, Rusty colored Woolly buggers with no flash or weight added, foam dries and hoppers, and Schultzy's Low Water Crayfish was by far my top producer for stubborn and finicky bass.

We have limited availability going into June, if you want to take a shot at a few trophy caliber Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass let us know we would love to get you out. Here is a link to our easy online Trip RSVP form.

June 2-3 2012 Free Demo Days at Schultz Outfitters! 2 full days and a full schedule of events on everything you need to get in the game! To check out all the details Click Here. I hope to see you there! Here's a few photos of some fun in the sun...

Spring Bronze

The Smallmouth fishing is starting to pick up and offer stellar opportunities at bass ranging from 3 to 5 pounds. Our PA/Ohio Lake Erie Tributaries offer a brief window into some of the best sight fishing for  lake-run bronze backs on the fly. If you are interested in getting out for the day to enjoy the pleasant weather and great fly fishing let us know... We will be out there!

 Online Smallmouth Bass Trip Request Form

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

I am always amazed by the reverence one can find while spending a day on the water. Solitude in your mind is literally an eye shot away. Clear skies, fresh air and desire reveal a world that we often take for granted. I see more than just fish in a river, shear cliffs, shale beds or endless piles of river rock.  I often get to witness a moment in time when all of the elements blend together and create an almost magical pause. A pause, I wonder, if others see or feel when my eyes view them at the helm of the beautiful landscape before them. Smiles often tell the story well beyond what a mere fish in hand can say. I was here and life it seems paused today! To Meredith and Chester.............. Thank You!

Meredith and Chester taking advantage of a photo op!

24 degrees and sun still = ice!

This one had Chet moving down river in a race to the lake

One happy angler

Meredith with his Warrior Buck taken on the swing with one of Senyo's Gansta Minnows

And the release...

There is still time to get out on the water and take advantage of the spring run before it comes to a close. Keep in mind that smallmouth fishing opportunities will be upon us soon so give us a call!

Until next time............
Tim Hess
Flyfishing guide/Landowner liaison
Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Bronze Backs, Farmer Tans, and Deep Fried Pretzels

After spending the last couple of months enjoying Northwestern PA trout fishing, it was awesome to come back to my home water- Lake Erie Tributaries! Over the past couple of days I have the pleasure of stalking beautiful Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass with Patti, Meredith, and John who made the summer trip up from Indianapolis. Long cast and small flies were productive for us the majority of the time, with opportunities in the morning and late evenings for top water and big streamer action.

We all put in the extra work perfecting on our always in style farmer tans, and ended the trip with a feast of pizza, wings, and deep fried soft pretzels from Mike's Sports Bar in Lake City, PA. If you are looking to get out we have a few limited days available. If you plan to get out on your own, stalking, long leaders, and even longer casting is required to catch a few of the bruisers cruising the shallows.

Olive, Black, Brown, and Gray BH Woolly Buggers in sizes 10 through 6 were the most effective flies the past few days. Here are a few of the pictures from the past couple of days!
   

Meredith poses with a solid Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass!

Patti is all smiles, after doing battle with this fine bronze back.

John poses with another solid Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass.

Buggers were very productive.

Patti with another fat Erie Bronze Back.

John with a stellar Lake Erie Smallmouth.

Meredith poses with another large Erie Bronze back.

Guide Tim Hess met up with us on Tuesday afternoon, and found a few willing to hit a big fly!

To my disbelief this late Steelhead smacked a Woolly Bugger, that was being stripped through the pool for Smallies! It fought as hard as a November fish despite it taking the fly on June 13th....

Smallies...But Not Really!

Every year with the winding down of Steelhead season, as we say our goodbyes, hello's to another fanciful gamefish are heard. It is no secret that many a warmwater fisherman would rather pursue Smallmouth Bass than anything else. They are feisty little fish, or are they. With the warming weather, the trees start to leaf out and the forest floor blankets itself with wildflowers and morels...the signs of spring are here and the snow has gone at least for a little while.

The trees show signs of spring as the green

explodes across the forest canopy.

All of our tributaries on the Alley have resident populations of Smallmouth Bass, but these aren't what really tickle my fancy. Instead it is the lake dwelling cousins that come in river to visit family that peaks my interest. These fish start moving in starting in late April, and by mid-May are often in prespawn mode. A few days ago, SAO guide Ben Barger and myself decided to get out for a day for ourselves. The fishing has been very good when you can get on the stream, but the rains have made it tough! Nevertheless, when we went out, we hit it right and capitalized.

SAO guide Ben Barger holds a very

nice pre-spawn Smallmouth.

Ben's fish hammered one of Senyo's Egg Raider Minnow.

All of our fish came swinging big sculpins on lighter weight rods in the dropping and clearing flows. Man was it fun to watch the light rods double over under the weight of these brutes.

SAO Guide Patrick Robinson poses

with another healthy Bronzeback.

Senyo's Shaghead Sculpin brought this fish to hand.

Time and again, the rods bent and we were glad to watch it happen. Below, it was Ben's turn once again and I was there to grab a couple of shots of the moment.

Ben fights a nice lake run Smallmouth.

Bringing the fish to hand...

And the lip n' grin! Always fun, even after many years!

Now, of course I didn't want to miss out on too much of the fun, so I got to swinging the waters as well and time and again, we came up with beautiful pre-spawn females full of fight and many jumps to boot!

Another hook up on a great day of Smallmouth fishing.

What a pig!

Yes, she had that big of a belly! It didn't matter how I held

her, the belly still spilled out of my hand.

All in all it was a great day! We had a blast and I think the photos show it. When I get a chance to put together some short film (no frills) I will post it. We did shoot a couple minutes that is good for bringing a bit more life to the action...so stay tuned.

Until then, get out...the gettin' is good!

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Hangin' Around!

Finally the weather is nice and all of the area Tributaries are fishable for once! If you want my advise take advantage of it, because it won't last long... We still have plenty of Steelhead roaming around with some real bruisers still in the mix, if you want a crack at a few end of the season fish, now is the time. We do have a couple of guides available through the end of May. If you are interested please contact me at 888-453-5899 or email us at team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com.

Great numbers of Smallmouth Bass are already present, and it will only get better as we approach the end of the month. If you have never fished Lake Erie Tributaries, the Bay, or the beaches for Smallmouth Bass from 3 to 6 pounds with a fly rod in hand, you are missing out on alot of fun! We only run a few guides each year for Smallmouth Bass, so if you are looking to try your luck on a few bronze backs we would love to take you out!

Just a reminder the fly sale is still going, but flies are selling fast! I also will be out of all contact starting May 13th through the 25th, so if you need to place an RSVP for Smallmouth Bass this Spring/Summer, or for next Fall's Steelhead runs please contact Patrick Robinson at 419-348-7199 or team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com..

Here are a few recent photo's from SAO Guide Tim Hess!

Mamie with an awesome late spring buck steelhead, that she caught while swinging a white streamer.

Released to swim another day...

Mamie didn't stop after her big buck, and swung up this large drop-back Hen!

Brian with his first ever fly caught steelhead!

You never forget you first steelhead!

We are seeing more and more Smallmouth Bass, and the best thing about them, is their willingness to pounce on streamers! If you would like to get and catch a few for yourself, let us know!!!

Finally Feels Like Spring!

I can't remember the last time we experience so much rain during the spring season? Regardless- This spring was the toughest to try and schedule trips due to the high water and more high water! The trips we were able to complete were due mainly because many of you had the flexibility in your schedules, or needed to fish as bad as we did and were willing to gamble last minute. We thank you all for that!

Currently the Ohio Tributaries are high, but on the drop.... The PA Tributaries such as Elk Creek are already fishable. There are still good numbers of steelhead still available in Ohio, and with the unseasonably cool temperatures you should be able to find fish through the end of the month. Just an FYI more rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast, so stay on top of the weather reports and USGS gauges.

We still have a few guides available for spring steelhead if you are interested in getting that last steelhead fix of the season in... Let us know as the season is winding down!

Lake Erie Steelhead that took one of Senyo's Black Egg Raiders.

April Vokey with a nice Lake Erie Steelhead

Lake Run Smallmouth Bass have started to show up on the Lake Erie Tributaries, and it is not long before we will start targeting them! We have already been taking RSVP's for late spring and early summer Smallmouth Bass fly fishing trips. We have already seen and caught a few fish in the 5 pound range, and with all the high water, we should see an exceptional bass run this year. If you are interested in spending a day or two fly fishing for Bronze Backs, please don't hesitate to call me at 888-453-5899 or email us at team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com.

Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass on the fly!

I will be out of cell phone and email contact starting May 12th through May 25th for Brook Trout Retreats! Please contact Patrick Robinson at 419-348-7199 or email at flybum@windstream.net if you are looking to book a trip for Smallmouth Bass this spring or to put in your fall steelhead trip RSVP. I will return all messages when I get back. All Brook Trout Retreats are currently full for 2011. If you would like to book one of our retreats for 2012 please contact me ASAP, as space is very limited.

Nick With A Healthy Brook Trout From A Recent Outing!

Johnny Miller is back home on the Delaware System! Anthony Albano and "Miller Time" pose with a fat streamer caught Delaware River Brown Trout from a recent outing at the West Branch Angler. Look for alot more from John over the course of the summer!

FYI: End of season sale on all our custom fly assortments! Sale is available until stock runs out!

50 assorted steelhead nymphs for $50.00

50 assorted Buggers/streamers for $60.00

50 assorted Sucker Spawns for $50.00

10 "Swung Fly"  assorted streamers/sculpins for $25.00

Please call 419-466-9382 to place orders.

Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass

Starting in Late April and early May, Smallmouth Bass start to migrate into the Lake Erie Tributaries and around Presque Isle Bay. Bass from 3 to 5 pounds can be caught on everything from top water flies to large streamers and leeches.

Fly fishing for Smallmouth Bass has become extremely popular for anglers around the region, and it as exciting as fly fishing gets on 5wt gear. If you are into warm weather, sight fishing, and hard fighting fish this type of trip is for you!

Float and Wade Trips Available!

Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass Trips Include:(May thru July)
8 Hours with a licensed professional fly fishing guide.
All reels, rods, flies, leaders,and tippet.
Stream side lunch and refreshments.
Angler only required to have valid fishing license!
Half Day trips Available!

Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass that hammered a Eumer Leech Tube Fly!

Stalking, Sight fishing, and seeing the take!!!

Angler with a football Smally that hammered a swung streamer!

Are you are into big flies? The Smallmouth are!

Trophy Sized Lake Erie Smallmouth on the fly!

If you are interested in fly fishing for Lake Erie's other Exciting game fish, please call me at 419-466-9382 or email us at gregsenyo@yahoo.com

All Inquiries Welcome!

Beginners, experienced, family, club, special needs, and corporate outings and be accommodated.