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

A River Runs Through It and Then...

In 1992 the fly fishing industry received a huge shot in the arm. It was called Robert Redford and "A River Runs Through It!" I can't tell you how many conversations I have had with people while on the water who say, "I started fly fishing after I saw the movie, A River Runs Through It." It's like the world of fly fishing can be separated by BTM and ATM....before the movie and after the movie.

Well, no more. I believe that the next shot in the arm is taking place right now and in a couple years we are going to start hearing a different story. In the last month, The Orvis Company has started a campaign that spans the country to help bring people into this wonderful sport. In recent weeks, here in Ohio and all across the country, Orvis stores as well as affiliate shops have been offering "Fly Fishing 101 & 201" classes. Several of us here at Steelhead Alley Outfitters have had the opportunity to be involved in these classes and they have been very well attended. Thanks to Orvis, fly shops, and a lot of volunteers, thousands of people are being introduced to this awesome sport!

The rods are rigged and ready for fresh hands

Ben Barger, Will Turek, Jim Lampros and myself get

ready for the newest class of Fly Fishing 101 students.

Jim Lampros gets started on the basics with an

energetic bunch listening to the instruction.

If you are interested in getting in on either a 101 or 201 class, you still have some time left to get signed up and participate...Oh, and did I mention that it is FREE? YES, FREE! Just click on the hyperlink above and you can see the remaining dates that the Cleveland Orvis store will be holding these classes and what you must do to get involved!

Until the next time,

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

You Have Got To Love The Colors Of Spring!

Over the past 60 days, I can honestly say it was probably the most enjoyable Spring I have ever personally had! There was alot of water, everything from Yellow Sallies, Black Caddis, Sulphurs, Green Drakes, and Rusties in the evening- just a ton of bugs everyday.... Our last retreat of the season was hosted with Jim Lampros of Orvis Cleveland and it was really good times had by all! Thanks for closing out the season on a great note! Here are a few of the pictures from this past weekend.

Jim Lampros sharing the strings with a Sulphur Mayfly.

One of the few Tiger Trout caught this spring.

Barrett poses with the Tiger Trout from above.

Dave is all smiles after landing this nice Brook Trout.

Jimmy and Victor got into a few nice trout, during alittle down time.

A pair of newts that were sitting on a log over looking the stream. 

Jimmy out harassing some of the natives.

A close up of the Brook Trout above.

A nice native Brown Trout.

A nicer native Brown Trout...

Love those colors!!!

Let's end this post the way it began!

Fall Lake Erie Steelhead Preview- Let's Get This Party Started!

Well it's nearly that time of year! The summer has been flying by, and everyday we get closer to those first runs of dime bright Lake Erie Steelhead. Yeah, Yeah, I know it's a bit early to start talking Steelhead, but great events are being slated, and to be perfectly honest there is no better time to get the juices flowing. Now is the time to start scouting those tributaries, rearrange the fly boxes, dust off your gear, and start pestering your local fly shops!

Are you new to fly fishing for Lake Erie Steelhead? No worries! On October 30th and 31st we will be hosting an in depth steelhead school in conjunction with Orvis Cleveland. Local Steelhead Expert and Fly Fishing Manager Jim Lampros will be spearheading and leading what will be an insiders view of an evolving Steelhead fishery, with an extreme emphasis on tactics, techniques, gear, and preparation. For more information please visit the fly fishing schools page at the top of this blog.

Orvis Fly Fishing Manager Jim Lampros poses with a

beautifully colored Lake Erie Steelhead! We hope to see you

at one of the Orvis hosted Steelhead Schools!

Our fall Steelhead guide season is starting to fill! If you are interested in spending a day or two along our tributaries, we would love to share in that experience with you! All guide trips will be with a experienced local and licensed professional guide. All equipment, flies, leaders, tippet, and a stream side lunch are included in the price of the trip. Discounted hotel and lodging options are available upon booking. We look forward to having a chance to show you what Steelhead Alley has to offer!

Dave "Super Dave" Thatcher poses with one of the fall

Steelhead he caught with SAO last fall!

Another added bonus to an already outstanding fishery, is the addition and introduction of lake run Brown Trout. This fall we should start to see some of these trout returning to the tributaries and providing an added bonus while fishing for Lake Erie Steelhead! Look for the newest issue of Fly Fisherman magazine for Matt Supinski's Latest article called "Brown Town" We will have several new fly patterns featured along with great tips for catching lake run Brown Trout.

A gorgeous bonus lake run Brown Trout caught

while Steelhead fishing with SAO last fall!

Most of the SAO gang is starting to make their way back home after guiding out east, west, and hosting trips. Joel Bock and Jason Gregory reported back that their trip to Alaska was a blast, and as soon as the pictures come in we will get a full post up! Scott McClintock is driving back from guiding Montana's Yellowstone River this summer, and John Miller is still hitting big Browns on the Delaware River for the West Branch Angler. Brett McCrae just returned last week from guiding Wyoming's finest trout streams, and Patrick Robinson and Ben Barger are still editing outstanding video footage of their summer western trout endeavors. One thing is certain all the guys fished their butts off this summer, and are in tip top shape going into our fall Steelhead guide season!

Joel Bock with a Naknek River, Alaska Silver Salmon.

6 time NFL Pro Bowler Irving Fryer living it up in Alaska with SAO.

Jason Gregory poses with a Naknek River, Alaska Rainbow Trout.

Like I said, let's get those juices flowing, and get this party started early! We'll have a whole lot more coming your way in the coming weeks!

Until next time!

Greg Senyo

Owner/Operator

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

The Adventures of Flybum - Part 6

The last time I left you, we had fished the Madison and Firehole Rivers of Yellowstone National Park and were headed back south to one of the most anticipated rivers of our trip westward....the mighty Teton River.

The Teton River hit my radar after talking to friend Jim Lampros. Jim had spent some time working with World Cast Anglers during his adventures out west, and this put him in the backyard of the Teton. After hearing his stories and seeing the awesome photos of him traversing this river plastered all over Orvis catalogs, I just had to see it with my own eyes. The fact that it held stellar populations of Yellowstone Cutthroats, one of those species I had never caught, was just icing on the cake.

After meeting with Jim and making careful notes we were within a short drive of the river. Leaving Ashton, Idaho, we were soon on a dirt two track headed for the place that I had been told about. At first, I wasn't sure if I had the right road (I was a bit gun shy after some of our previous adventures), but we did and in short order we were overlooking an awesome body of water. It may take us a while to find our water, but we always find the fishing hole!

THE MIGHTY TETON RIVER WINDS

THROUGH THE IDAHO COUNTRYSIDE

The view looking up was just as stellar as the one we had looking way down into the canyon. In fact, when we first got there, I didn't know which way to look. I said wow so many times, that I think the guys thought I had found a new favorite word.....DUDE.....WOW!!!!

THE MIGHTY TETON RANGE STANDS OVERLOOKING THE

PRODUCTIVE TROUT WATERS THAT SURROUND IT.

After making our destination, we jumped out to snap some photos. I remember the moment I got to the trail heading into the canyon and looking over the edge! Insert one of those "WOW's!" Wow is all you could say! It was a huge drop into this canyon stretch of the Teton and when I say huge, I mean roughly 1000 vertical feet at about a 45 degree angle and sometimes steeper! This insertion point wasn't for sissy's! And if you weren't going to take a boat down with you and float out, then you had better make sure your heart was in good condition, because coming out is not for the faint of heart...This I guarantee!!!

SHOOTING SOME PHOTOS OF THE TETONS

SAO GUIDE BEN BARGER PREPARES GEAR

FOR THE DAY ON THE RIVER

We took our time getting down to the river for two reasons...safety and for filming. We couldn't just blaze down the trail without capturing it on video, so roll film we did! Hopefully I can put together a sequence from our day on this river. Of all our days on the water, this one definitely got the majority of my time. From big fish caught to heartbreaks to rattlesnakes, we got it all on this day! So, keep your fingers crossed and maybe I will show you some more film.

Once we got down to the river, the guys started packing gear for the trek along the river. I just couldn't wait to fish and catch that next species, so right then and there, I got the rod out and started fishing. It wasn't any time at all and the first Yellowstone Cutt was in hand. Just a moment later, a monster fish exploded on my fly and here is where the first heartbreak occurred! You see, I broke one of my own rules. The long story made short is that I forgot to loosen my drag...yeah, oops! The cast was made, the float was drag free, the rise came, the explosion ripped the water apart and it was fish on!!! The problem was that with fast water, a big fish, and a tight drag, disaster was looming. I rushed to get to the drag as the fished turned down stream. With a less than graceful staggering few steps down stream and every attempt to keep my rod up, the fish was gaining ground. I got the drag...I got it....The rod tip was dropping, dropping, in the danger zone, still dropping......OH CRAP, No, I can do this......rod pointing as fish....I could feel the tippet stretching...then all at once.....BANG!!! It was over! My second fish of the day and one pushing twenty inches was now only a story! Oh well was all I could say! After all, it was early in the morning and no worries! I mean, no phone was going to be ringing telling me I needed to be anywhere....ahhh, what a feeling!

It wasn't long after this failed attempt at a trophy, that we were up river and into fish after fish.

SAO GUIDE PATRICK ROBINSON HOLDS A

HEALTHY TETON YELLOWSTONE CUTTHROAT

DON FISHES AT A CONFLUENCE POINT IN THE TETON

During our time at the confluence that you see above, Don and I were doubled up. Although the waters were slightly stained, the fish were more than willing to look up and since we don't get to fish the dries all that often back home, we opted to throw the big dries!

SAO GUIDE PATRICK ROBINSON AND FRIEND DON

LAND A DOUBLE ON YELLOWSTONE CUTTIES

AND THE SMILES......OH SO SWEET!

We continued to fish the morning away in this general area. We fished up the Teton and up a smaller tributary and more fish came to hand than we could count. It was getting to be mid day and we wanted to fish a lot more water as long as it was accessible in the rough terrain. So, to insure we would have enough fuel in the furnace to make the continued push, we paused to grab a streamside lunch.......

SAO GUIDE BEN BARGER GETS THE FIRE GOING

FOR SOME STREAM SIDE HOT DOGS

After cramming our faces with fine pork products, we decided to head up stream a bit further. There's always a big one just around the corner right?

Well, up stream did treat us very, very well and we captured a lot of film and photos of fish on this stretch. However, I had to get the fish in front of that rock first.

SAO GUIDES PATRICK AND BEN WADE THE EDGE OF

THE FAST WATER CATCHING FISH IN ALL THE

SLACK WATER HOLDS ALONG THE WAY.

In the next adventure, we will head up stream to see what the waters offered us. This was one of my most memorable afternoons I have ever had and I look forward to sharing it with you!

Until next time,

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters