Bar Flies Cleveland - Don't Miss Out!

Ok, Cleveland, here ya go!  Please share this with your friends and let's get this kicked off and going strong!!!  We hope to see you all there!

Come and spend an educational and fun filled evening of fly tying, refreshments, and food with the regional well known fly fishing personalities.

                                                                                                          MERWIN'S WHARF 

Location:
Merwin's Wharf
1785 Merwin Ave
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Menu - Click Here

Cost is $20.00 Per person at the door 
6pm-9pm

RSVP to 734-544-1761 to RSVP or send us a PM and we will add you to the list.


January 26th Greg Senyo
Come and learn to tie a few tied and true flies for Great Lakes Steelhead

February 11th Jeff Liskay
Come and learn to tie Simple and effect steelhead flies from Cleveland's own and Highly respected angler

February 23rd Jake Villwock
Come learn to tie effect and simple trout flies for the Mid West and East's favorite trout streams.

March 10th Tommy Lynch
Up your streamer game and learn to tie the effective and articulated stripping streamers used for Brown Trout and Steelhead.

March 22nd Mike Schultz
Learn to tie today's tried and true Smallmouth Bass flies

All Materials and pattern sheets are included, please bring your vise, tools, and thread...
Join us for Appetizers and Refreshments at 6pm and tying will start at 630pm

Hope to see many of you soon!

Another Steelhead Season Underway!

This is the sight on many streams currently...with varying levels of clarity!  Streams have been improving over the last couple days and many are starting to clear up and fish well as of today, so get out there while the getting is good!

The Vermilion, Rocky, Chagrin, Grand tribs, Ashtabula, Conneaut and Elk are all either fishing or just starting.  Expect flows to still hold some sediment from the snow melt that is still happening and choose your fly patterns and presentations accordingly.

If you need to get a guide on the books, don't wait!  The phone is ringing off the hook and dates are going fast!  Call us at 1-888-453-5899 or email us at team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com

The Ashtabula has been dialing in nicely!  Hoping for a good run this spring!

Don't forget that the pressure on the water will be less than desirable this weekend.  That means that this is a perfect opportunity to remember what stream etiquette is all about.  Remember...although you may not realize it, you could be the only teacher of proper stream etiquette some people ever see!  Make all your opportunities count this weekend be it setting the hook on a fish or teaching those around you the finer aspects of the sport!

The Elk is looking good today and although considered more of a fall fishery,
it shouldn't be overlooked when it comes to early spring fish!

A gorgeous spring fish....many more of these to come!

All the best out there this spring!

While The Snow Flies, Come Watch Us Tie!

Don't miss out on the opportunity to come learn about the sport of steelheading and fly tying.  We are heading out for The Backpackers Shop in Sheffield Village on the west side of Cleveland tomorrow and hope that if you are in the area, that you'll join us.  It is an all day gig and doesn't cost you anything more than your time.  And trust us, it will be worth that and more!  Here are the details.

We hope to see you all there and getting geared up for the spring season!

Show Season Is About To Launch

The start of the year always takes off quickly with show season and this year is no different.  This winter we will be around the midwest and the east coast hitting shows.

This weekend both the crews from SAO and Schultz Outfitters will be heading to the first of the year.  You won't want to miss the newest show in the midwest hosted in Indianapolis at the state fairgrounds.  They have a great line up ready to go.  Check out the link below and we hope to see some old friend and meet some new ones too!

Indiana Fly Fishing Expo

Anyone Ready for a Spring Fling?

It seems like yesterday that the rivers were looking good and we were fishing the fall run.  Fresh chrome was coming to hand and life was good.  Nothing like getting fish on the swing...nothing like it!  As much as I love catching fish that way, all good things must come to an end right?  Well, come to an end it did...and quickly!  That cold arctic air that we are all familiar with from a long hard winter hit us hard and has had us in its grip ever since.

PRETTY FISH ON PRETTY FLIES...PRETTY COOL!

Making the transition out of a steelhead season that seemed to end too quickly last fall was only softened by the ability to get the boats out for some late season duck hunting.  It definitely helped keep my mind and spare time occupied, but there too it proved difficult to stay ahead of the ever increasing ice that threatened to lock up our favorite haunts be it rivers, ponds or the lake.

A MIXED BAG FROM MY CUSTOM LAYOUT BOAT I COMPLETED DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS

THE WORST MISTAKE THESE TWO DRAKE BUFFLEHEADS EVER MADE

 So, the winter seems to be done and slowly giving way to the spring thaw.  In recent days, the rivers have been blowing...some at epic levels, and the ice is going with it.  That means that fishing is right around the corner and I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a fix...a spring fling...to hear the ring, the zing or whatever you want to call it.

Cabin fever here is your fair warning....I'm over you and we are done for the winter.  If you are with me, I hope to see you on the water and with any luck, a little bit of this kind of pretty to go along with it!

SOLID FISH ON HIGH GREEN FLOWS...NOT MUCH BETTER ON ANY DAY!

CLIENT SMILES FRAMED IN CHROME...HERE'S TO MANY MORE IN 2014!

Well, that's all for now....and thanks to Facebook, who knows when I'll get back here again...but I will try to get back sooner than later.  I hope your year is off to a great start and wish you all the luck in your excursions this spring and all year long!

If we can help get you on the water, give us a shout at 1-888-453-5899 or email us at team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com and we will get you on the books.

Tight lines,

Patrick Robinson
Director of Operations
Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Ice & Snow + Steady Flows = Fish

It is so glad to be in the midst of our winter Steelhead season....(sounds of screeching brakes, crashing sounds, etc)....wait a second, did I say winter?  What I meant to say was spring, but all this snow and ice has me a bit confused these days!

Lately our riverscapes have looked anything but spring like and if it weren't for the presence of the Canada Geese and plethora of other waterfowl on the rivers along with our wonderful stonefly hatches, I would be hard pressed to believe we are actually in the spring season.  Don't get me wrong, we get a little bit of snow each spring, but this has been a straight up deep winter weather pattern.  In the last week or so we have seen as much as 15 inches of snow fall.  Here is this morning out my front door.

 A gorgeous spring morning from my front porch

A winter Stonefly nymph crawls on the snow looking for a partner

Despite the feel of winter in the air, we have been as busy as ever and although the water temps are a bit chilly, fish are hitting the net without fail.  Here are just a few photos from recent days out with those who are either lovers of swinging flies or are just learning the art of spey casting and wanting to try their hand at swinging flies....it's been a lot of fun out there!  But just look at the surroundings....snow, snow, and more snow...with a bit of slush for added affect.

No matter the conditions, steelheaders are out there beating the water.  Yes, we are a rare breed!  Often called crazy or stupid, but we like to call ourselves passionate about what we do.  Freezing rain, snow, sleet, and 32 degree water doesn't keep us from doing what we love when given a chance.  After many flies swung and a lot of downed indicators, fish have been coming to hand for many and here are just a few of the photos from the past week or so....

Any way we look at it....spring or not...we love to do what we do!  Thanks to all of our friends and clients who have entrusted us with their time!  It has been tough on some days and easier on others, but you all have stuck it out and got the job done!  Here's to doing it again and often!

On a different note, if you haven't heard, we have just launched a new website at the same web address we have always had...http://www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com.  If you haven't already seen it go give it a look and let us know what you think of it.

Also, we are starting to think toward our September Alaska trip.  We still have openings available if you are wanting to make this trip with us.  Drop us a line if you have questions or want to make the journey with us this year.  Below is an overview of the trip and you can visit our website to see copious amounts of photos and video by clicking here.....ALASKA 2013

Good luck out on the water!  Hope to see you out there soon!

Tight Lines, 

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide 

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Runnin' Along

After the warmest winter and spring in recent memory, the stage was set for an epic fishing season. What few snowflakes flew in March and April were replaced with mayflies, and as they are apt to do, the trout didn't take long to notice.  As fate would have it, the ebbs and flows of a typical steelhead season seemed to go a bit differently this year, and for the first time in many years, I found myself doing quite a bit of "true trout" fishing during the most wonderful time of the year to be a trout fisherman east of the Mississippi.

Looking back at a fishing season it's always difficult to ascertain whether or not it was successful.  Is the appropriate metric that should be used days on the water?  Places fished?  Mileage on the truck? Or whether or not you caught the damn things?  The answer is wonderfully unclear, and also, to be honest,  is usually different every day.

Still, regardless of the reasons why I spent time on the water over the past few months, the unquestionable fact was that I was lucky.  From the day in March when I saw the first Hendrickson of the spring flutter past, all the way to this holiday weekend I've been fishing like wild. Looking back at the past few months, I spent more time with a rod in my hand this eastern trout season than any other in the past 7 or 8 years, and that is a very comforting thought.  

I managed to celebrate the Easter holiday with a couple friends in pursuit of trout on one of the most storied tailwaters of the eastern United States, make an annual trip with my entire group of fishing friends to a destination that is steadily becoming a favorite, and made countless trips and overnights in between.  No matter where I've stopped, it seems like the trout have been better to me than I've deserved - and for that, I'm always grateful.  

And now that spring has certainly faded into summer (both in terms of calendar and temperature) the only certainty I have is where I'll spend my time.  Knee deep, in the fast water, just casting and fishing, seeing if I can catch a rise.  See you out there.

-Brett McCrae, SAO Guide