Thank You!

To all the fallen Men and Women of our Armed Forces and Law Enforcement. We thank you for all your dedication and we will always remember your sacrifies.

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...

TFT Testing Tank In Skagit Master 3!

Check out the new Skagit Master 3 Trailer! Good friend and Ohio steelheader Tony DiBenedetto Jr's swim tank is set up and featured!!! Very cool to see a local guys product in the production of one of the best video series ever made for swinging flies. 

Tube Fly Tech

On The Water...

Heading out of town for Brook Trout Retreats and I will not be back until Monday the 14th. If you need any assistance in booking a trip, inquiring on a destination, need flies tied, or a quick river report- please contact Patrick Robinson at team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com or call 888-453-5899. I will not have email or phone reception during this time, but will answer all messages promptly on my return.

 

SAO is currently accepting resumes for part-time seasonal guide positions. Each year we continue to grow and need extra guides to help fill our schedules. A guide training program is required and will be completed before work is given. We would like to see 10 years fly fishing experience, and a good work ethic, and the willingness to be apart of a team atmosphere. All resumes should be forwarded to team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com

 

Don't miss out on the smallmouth fly-fishing opportunities going on right now! If you have never targeted lake run smallmouth bass on the fly, you are missing out on some of the best tributary fishing of the year... Easy Online Trip Request Form

Mike Schultz Says, for all of you located in the Toledo area, Northwest Ohio, and Southeast Michigan Schultz Outfitters is rocking the new fly shop on the banks of the Huron River in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Come check out Mike Schultz and the staff of Michigan's hottest new fly shop!

4 East Cross Street

Ypsilanti, Michigan 48198

734-544-1761 

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

Passing The Torch!

This past weekend was our second annual Kid's Fly Fishing Camp. Each year 10 to 12 youngsters make the journey over to the Allegheny's to partake in everything from casting, rigging, fly tying, fly selection, proper catch and release, and when and how to harvest. Most importantly each kid learns the value of team work, and leaves with the confidence and a sense of accomplishment that only fly fishing can deliver. Here's a glimpse into our weekend...

8:00am Saturday Morning briefing and the start of our weekend.

After briefing each excited angler is given the opportunity to stock a few trout. Nothing like being a kid and seeing the stock truck show up with a few beautiful fish. To say they were excited would not describe the moment. 

After stocking the kids were broke up into partners, and began learning to tie the fly patterns that were going to be used while fishing that afternoon. Each student was required to tie two flies.

Mike Sowers took the opportunity to take the lead and help each kids complete their goal of tying two patterns for the days fishing.

We were all amazed at how well each tied and the amount of effort each angler put into their patterns.

Fly patterns that were tied included the Woolly Bugger, San Juan Worm, Soft Hackles, Marabou Streamers, Clouser Minnows, and the Elk Hair Caddis.

It wasn't long after the fly tying that each angler and their fishing partner set out for an afternoon of casting and fishing. The goal was that each fishing partner would work to help each other on everything from casting, spotting fish, netting, and sharing in each others experience! 

When it all comes together! Great job!

Jason Gregory dedicated the weekend to wearing many hats, and helping out with casting and the simple things these boys needed to learn while on the stream. 

Shawn Brillon from the Orvis company and his son RJ made the long trip up from Vermont to be instructors and apart of making this weekend a success for all our young guests.

As you can see the patience each angler put into tying their flies and into learning good casting presentations paid off.

Each team of anglers found success during the afternoon and showed great sportsmanship and friendship toward one another, as each angler made sure (on their own BTW) that no one left the stream without hooking, landing, and releasing a trout! If only all anglers would treat each other this way...

As dinner approaches Jay worked hard to get these hungry kids fed well.

This year we decided to teach the kids how to properly field dress and prepare a trout for a camp fire dinner. Here Dave demonstrates and helps the boys clean 4 trout. The boys decide that with all the other food, that 4 trout would be plentiful and an acceptable harvest.  

I really think that this was one thing many of these boys have never been exposed to, and they dove into the opportunity to learn, and what it was like to eat food they had worked hard to harvest.

I took the time to show and assist each boy in making the perfect Citrus Brook Trout!

Here's a close up of one of the Brook Trout the boys prepared.

The trout along with beans and potatoes were all cooked over the camp fire.

Here's a pic of the camp fire dinner these boys helped complete!

Sitting around the camp fire, feasting on trout, burgers, dogs, potatoes, and beans. The fishing stories weren't half bad either :)

A pic of all the gear and items donated to the kids by the Orvis Company.  

Each anglers name was placed into a hat and when their name was drawn they had to pick a prize to give to one of their fellow anglers. Each angler left with more than a few nice gifts. 

This lucky angler was voted by his peers to have demonstrated the most sportsmanship and was awarded a new rod and reel outfit for his efforts. Shawn Brillon and RJ from Orvis were on hand to award and offer congrats to this fine young man.

After a night of marshmallow's and camp fire stories they were back at it.

What a beautiful catch!

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the parents involved! Dave-o, Flip, and Thunder!!! Thank you for bringing the boys into town and being a part of these boys lives on a daily basis! Jason and Mike thanks for all your hard work and being apart of this project over the past two years! A special thank you to Shawn Brillon, RJ, and The Orvis Company for being a huge part of this event. Most importantly to all you young anglers who attended- I am honored to have the opportunity to host and have you all as fishing partners each year! I look forward to what next spring will bring.

Spring on the Alley- Photo Essay

A special thank you to all of you who had the opportunity to fish with our services so far this year! Here is a collection of recent photos from the guys on staff, it's been a tough spring due to the up and down weather, but the gang worked even harder and as always they do the best they can everyday! I'm proud to be apart of such a great group of guys! We hope you enjoy and have a Happy Easter!