Grand River On The Endangered Rivers List!

Reading or hearing that a river near you is in danger, would and should start to make anyone think about the future. I will say it is very sad to see how many rivers and streams that are effected by mining, fracking, and the construction of dams. What comes to mind most recently is the pebble mine project in AK.

At the same time I understand the need for resources, but with technology where it is today are we really in need of fossil fuels as our primary energy source? Shouldn't we be progressing say as fast as our iphones? Or is the big business of oil and coal holding us back. Yes, I know it's all about the Benjamin's!

I can tell you first hand I am not any type of tree hugger nor have I been the most environment friendly person with what type of car I drive, how I recycle, and the products I buy.  To see Ohio's Grand River listed as #6 in this countries Most Endangered Rivers List, was to say the least frighting and eye opening. Check out the link below that Brett McCrae just sent over...

Grand River #6 on the Endangered Rivers List   

The Grand River is Ohio's crown jewel steelhead fishery.

The Grand River provides prime habitat for numerous wildlife and recreational opportunities for the public.

  

A Few More Fish From This Week, And A Quick Update!

Looks like rain and thunderstorms going into the new week, keep an eye on the USGS Guages and the NOAA forecast. It has been a stellar week for the guys with a few really nice Lake Erie Steelhead hitting the bottom of the net. We are still seeing Hold-over, drop-back, and a few fresh Steelhead in the mix. No huge numbers of fish in anyone place. Be prepared to hike and you will find enough Steelhead that are willing to take flies.

John and SAO Guide Mike Schultz pose with a beautiful Ohio Lake Erie Steelhead!

Tom and Mark celebrate a hot fish, While fishing with SAO's Patrick Robinson.

Mark with a hansome Lake Erie Steelhead of his own!

Matt with a solid Ohio Tributary Steelhead, while fishing with Andy and SAO's Mike Schultz.

Andy poses with a solid Ohio Steelhead.

Tony with a hard fighting Ohio Buck from an outing with SAO's John Clouser.

TJ and Lisa share a moment together with a nice Ohio Steelhead.

Lisa with a silver bullet of her own, while fishing with TJ and SAO's Mike Schultz.

Greg with a solid Ohio Tributary Steelhead while fishing with John, Bill, and Mike Schultz.

Bill poses with a nice Ohio Buck!

Steve with a nicely colored Ohio steelhead from a recent outing with SAO's Mike Schultz.

John Miller Chilean Photo Teaser III - Fishing Remote Lakes

I'm back home now and I still can't shake the past 4 weeks worth of Chilean scenery and fly fishing experiences from my mind! Even though this trip was on the top of my bucket list it was also alot of work because we will be going back, and we want to take you back to Chile with us! During my time in Chile I fished many different watershed each day and experienced drop camps, lodges, and off road adventures to remote lakes and lagoons. I have been working out the details and we will have packages together for winter of 2011 that will excite any trout bum.

Currently we are right around the corner from starting our spring Steelhead season. The rivers are starting to open up and from what we are hearing and seeing, we should have a fantastic spring Steelhead season! If you are interested in fly fishing for Lake Erie Steelhead, please don't hesitate to book your spring dates as our guide schedules are starting to fill. We all hope to see you this spring, and until then here are a few pictures from a remote lake in Chile...

SAO's John Miller with a "Pig" Rainbow Trout

John with the "Monsoon Brown Trout"

SAO's Scott McClintock is all smiles after landing this beautiful Rainbow Trout!

Good Guides = Good Fish!

You never get tired of seeing big trout!

Can you please pass the butter?

John with a heavy shouldered Rainbow Trout that

took one of Senyo's Egg Raider Streamers.

A face even Santa can love!

I hope you will join us this winter...

The Spring Steelhead runs are right around the corner, and we have a lot of great projects in the works for 2011!

Stay Tuned!

John Miller
Fly Fishing Specialist
Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Pool Pigs Make For a Great Day!

SAO guide Ben Barger holds a 33" Ohio Buck Steelhead with a

15 3/4" girth.Zac hooked this fish in a deep pool below a

gravel flat. Many fish will move into the pools due to the

pressure they receive during the day. These pools can

produce some very large steelhead!

Doug with the pig of the day!!! This fish taped out at 33 1/4" with an astounding 20 1/8" Girth! This fish was taken on a Robinson's Chicken Little from a deep pool below a spawning flat. You can look at the picture and see this fish is raring to spawn, but major pressure on the beds have caused "Alpha" bucks like

this to seek the security of the pool.

SAO Guide Ben Barger made a little bit to deep of a stab to put

Doug's fish in the net! The Wader filled bath and head to

toe soaking was well worth the memory and

this Trophy sized steelhead...

Doug with another solid fish, one of many

from the pools yesterday...

Zac shows off a beautiful Spring Ohio Steelhead.

Zac and Doug, it was a pleasure fishing with you guys!!!

A few bonus Lake Erie Bone Fish make the day interesting!

Hot Flies the past couple of days have been Robinson's Chicken Hawks and Chicken Little patterns! Small eggs to match the sucker hatch and natural toned nymphs and streamers are also catching their fair share of fish. Rain is in the forecast for this Friday and I hope we see it.. There are good reports coming in from the Charter Captains that fresh fish are being caught steadily off the tributary mouths, so there is still hope for another decent push of fish before our season comes to an end. We will be on the water and you can bet that we will report what we find!

Tight Lines,

Greg Senyo

Owner/Operator

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

The Spring Season Continues... Steelhead Alley River Report

Well it's been another good week for the guys on our Lake Erie Steelhead Tributaries! The weather is good, the fishing has been good, and our guests have been a blast to fish with!!! Every tributary is fishable with the only bad news being the usual low and clear water conditions and the return of hot weather days to the alley... Fish are scattered out quite a bit and plenty of decent fish can be found in the pools if you are willing to walk and work for them.

Hot flies have been Robinson's Chicken Littles, Schultzy's Fry Buggers, Senyo's Ice Man Minnows, JC's Creatures, Caddis and stone fly nymph patterns, and small egg patterns to match the sucker hatch. Today, the hot fly was Robinson's new Chicken Hawk in orange. Here are a couple of pictures from the past couple of days with guests. We hope you enjoy them...

Joe with a beautiful, fat hen that taped out

at 30" but had an 18" girth...short but stout!

Bill and Joe with a little double action while

fishing with SAO Guide Patrick Robinson.

Bill with a bright Lake Erie Steelhead.

Pat with another fine Ohio Steelhead.

Pat with a great looking fish while

fishing with SAO Guide Scott McClintock.

The Hot fly For me the past couple of weeks, The

Creek Chub version of Senyo's Ice Man Minnow...

Mike hit three species during his visit to the

Alley! Here is a fly caught Walleye.

Gary with one of the Ohio Steelhead he

caught with SAO Guide John Miller.

Mike with a good looking steelhead! Species #2 for him on the day!

Mike with the trifecta while fishing

with SAO Guide John Miller.

Gary with another solid Ohio Steelhead.

Nick with one of the steelhead he caught

with SAO Guide Scott McClintock.

A nice Ohio Tributary drop back from this spring.

Tom spent two days on the alley and caught some stellar

fish! Here is one with SAO Guide Brett McCrae.

Tom with another good fish with SAO Guide John Clouser.

Doug with one of many steelhead caught with

SAO Guide Ben Barger.

Zac with a feisty Ohio Buck Steelhead.

Zac with another fat Lake Erie Steelhead while

fishing with SAO Guide Ben Barger.

We are out as usual through the rest of April and are already booking strong for Lake Erie Small Mouth Bass starting this May. If you are interested in spending a few days on the alley for Bronzebacks let us know, we would love to spend a day stream side with you...

I just got back from a week of trout trips and will have more on that coming soon! Until then have fun and tight lines!

Greg Senyo

Owner/Operator

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Wacky Weather and Lake Erie Steelhead River Report

The air temperatures are cooling down as rain starts to move into the area. Truth in the matter is we need every ounce of water we can get! Most everything remains on the low side with the larger tributaries (Grand, Conny, and the V) holding better fish numbers and the best fishing conditions. If we get the forecasted rain we could see another small push of fish... Drop backs, darker bucks, and a few mixed in fresher fish are what you can expect for now.

Hot flies have been the same over the week so far, with Ice Man Minnows in natural tones to imitate Creek Chubs, Darters, and small bait fish. Chicken Littles, Chicken Hawks, Micro nukes in Yellow, Cream, Peach, and White. Natural toned nymphs such as Pheasant tails, Hare's Ears, and Golden stone flies have produced good results. Don't forget to carry a few green caddis as well.

Here are a few more pics from yesterday's trips! We hope you enjoy them... Thank You again to everyone we have had the pleasure of fishing with to date...

It's all about the "Do Daddies"

Ken with a beautiful fish of his own.

Ken with a nice Ohio Buck Steelhead.

Mac with a feisty drop back hen.

Ralph with another nice Lake Erie Steelhead.

SAO Guide Ben Barger poses with Bill and a very nice Ohio Buck Steelhead.

Bill yet again with another hard charging Lake Erie Steelhead.

Jim with one of the steelhead he caught yesterday.

Bill with a nice hen to end the day..

We will have more for you later as more come in. Until then, we hope you enjoy the rest of the week! We'll see you on the water.

Tight Lines,

Greg Senyo

Owner/Operator

Steelhead Alley Outfitters