A Few Good Trout, A Couple of Bass, And Yes More Rain!

Well it looks like another week of rain is going to roll through the region, holding true to the trendy wet spring that we really could have used 2 months ago... Even with the wet spring alot of area streams will quickly recede to low water levels and fish able conditions. The Elk has quite a few Small Mouth right now, and this added flow and color will actually help the fishing. Large bright colored fly patterns such as the yellow Swimmy Jimmy stripped through the pools on the end of a sinking tip line can make for some exciting strikes. Large sculpins with rattles tied in are also extremely effective.

SAO/WBA Guides John Miller and Scott McClintock have been doing very well over on the Delaware River. The flows had been extremely low this spring, but as of today the the river got a small release of cold water. It's nice to see NYC place a "one flush policy" on all its big city residents to afford alittle water for the businesses and people along the West Branch who really need it. Hey NYC river master both reservoirs are full? What in the heck are you waiting for? Once again city government and shady politics are threatening a gem of a natural resource... Sound familiar? We live in a nation that has the ability to put people on the moon, but we can't find anyone responsible enough to cap a broken oil line in the gulf or open a spill way on the finest resource in the east...Go Figure? Despite river conditions our friends over at the West Branch Angler(http://www.westbranchresort.com) have been able to do well in the mornings and evenings when river temps were favorable to fishing... Here are a few pics...

Guide Scott McClintock on the Main Stem of the "D".

A sweet looking Delaware River Brown Trout.

Another good brown trout.

Guide John Miller holds a fine Delaware River specimen caught by one of his clients.

Between traveling, seminars, lessons, trips, work, and family I have had very little personal fishing time over the past month. I did have a chance to tie up a few new flies and hit a few of my favorite Large Mouth Bass ponds and lakes between responsibilities. Things are looking great and I will be heading to Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho over the next couple of months.

Galloup's famous Swimmy Jimmy tied with Senyo's Laser Dubbing in a rainbow trout version for Small Mouth Bass, and a Sunfish Version for large mouth bass.

Large Mouth Bass on the sun fish version Swimmy Jimmy.

It was nice to get a few hours away.

Another fat Large Mouth on the Swimmy Jimmy

We'll have more for you later!

Sincerely,

Greg Senyo

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

It's That Time Of Year!

The Lake Erie Tributaries are still fishing very well, but not for steelhead! Large Lake Run Small Mouth Bass are here and willing to take a fly... If you are interested in learning and fishing for Small Mouth Bass we can help you out. Very few angler's take advantage of Lake Erie's Trophy Bass Fishery. These fish take hard, fight hard, and are a worthy adversary on the fly rod.

JP With a Bruiser Lake Erie Bronze Back!

While Targeting Small Mouth Bass, JP hit this late season Ohio Steelhead!

Here is a little bit of information on the services offered, if you are interested in a day of fly fishing on Lake Erie Tributaries for Small Mouth Bass.

*We offer walk in and wade trips on both the Ohio and Pennsylvania Tributaries. All Equipment, flies, tippet, and stream lunch is included in the cost of the trip.

*We are also excited to offer Boat trips in partnership with the Lake Erie Ultimate Angler and USCG Master Licensed Guide Steve Brugger. Top Notch fishing on Erie's Presque Isle Bay for Small Mouth Bass and Large Mouth Bass! All Boat trips include all Equipment, flies, snacks, and refreshments. Steve operates a 2006 Boston Whaler with all the luxuries. Presque Isle has become a very popular trip choice and destination for many fly anglers.

SAO Guide John Clouser Holds a fat Bronze Back during a recent scout trip!

We will also be guiding in Ludlow Falls at the Mertensia Springs Trout & Conservation Club. The Club offers several water way lakes filled with everything from Carp, Pan Fish, and Large Mouth Bass. The property also offers great access to float the Still Water River for Small Mouth Bass, and for the Ultra light fly guy; Ludlow Creek offers great action on small 3wt rods for an array of species! These trips can be booked with us directly.

We are staying pretty busy right now offering fly casting and tying lessons, and traveling to several really great fly shops for seminars. SAO Guides John Miller and Scott McClintock are reporting great fishing right now out on the West Branch of the Delaware for big Brown Trout. If you are interested in a day of serious dry fly action get with our friends over at the West Branch Angler (http://www.westbranchresort.com/).

Cory with what is probably the biggest fly caught Blue Gill I have personally ever seen!

What started as a day of learning basic fly casting, turned into a very

rewarding and fun day to be out and fishing!

We'll have more for you later! Until then enjoy the rest of your spring!

Greg Senyo

Owner/Operator

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Kickin' Back in the Adirondacks

Well, we just returned home from our annual trip to the Adirondack Mountains of New York state and I am happy to say that despite the unusually cold and wet summer in the northeast, we had a great time as always! It is such a beautiful part of the world that I enjoy it in any weather....though it is better after ice-out when we can get the fly rods into action.

THE FAMILY POSES FOR A PHOTO ATOP MT. JO

This year was different than last as it is when you have young children, because as they grow and change more and more things become possible. So it was for my boys Timmy and Teddy. This year at 7 ( and a half!) Timmy was very able to wade the more gentle and less treacherous streams and can handle a fly rod well enough to take fish on his own. That is, when his 7 year old attention span is focused. Leave it to a fish on the end of a rod to get that job done! At four , Teddy is in his first summer of fishing and taking it by storm. No wading rivers for him quite yet , but he can fish from the shore or boat. I was happy to see that he takes directions and listens well enough to calm my ever-present concern about the mix of little boys and hooks.

ON TRAIL WITH THE CREW

THE SIGN OF BEAVER BRINGS BACK THE THOUGHT OF

HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF ADIRONDACK HISTORY BUILT ON THIS FUR.

AN AMERICAN SNAPPING TURTLE LAYS EGGS ON A BEAUTIFUL SAND PLOT

As for mom , well she seems more and more convinced by the excitement of fighting a feisty trout. I think she is actually beginning to look forward to it. At any rate she is a natural with a fly rod, and she proved with some very nice fish in hand.

Our home away from home this year was on a quiet and secluded Adirondack pond that was chock full of warm water fish. Smallmouth bass and crappies and of course the ever present sunfish made for most of the action. There is nothing like a fat pumpkinseed to capture the imagination of a young child as he feels the pull of what just may be pound for pound the most belligerent of all panfish. In our canoe we trolled streamers cast poppers and , truth be told, a worm or two under a bobber for the boys. Fish were had both by fly and by "garden hackle" and the delighted screams of the boys told the whole story.

BROTHERS, FISHING, IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS TEDDY!

JOHN READY TO SHOW THE BOYS THE ROPES

NIKKI WITH A SMILE THAT SAYS "I THINK I LIKE THIS STUFF."

TIMMY SCORES LARGE

LOOK AT PRETTY COLORS MOM AND DAD!

TEDDY IS WITHOUT WORDS AT THE SITE OF SUCH A MONSTER.

TIMMY GETTING THE HANG OF THINGS.

Our trout adventures had us on large and small streams and produced some wonderful browns , rainbows and brookies as well as a tremendous brace of landlocked salmon. Unfortunately a camera "accident" has deleted the evidence and I am forever unable to share the impressive pics of these small stream beauties. I know , I know .... I can hear all the "fish story" jokes now. I guess I asked for that one. Fortunately I can show you some great browns that made our day more than once.

JOHN GIVES THE REFRESHER COURSE.

TIMMY REMEMBERS QUICKLY!

A NICE LITTE RIVER RAINBOW

SHOULD YOUNG MEN BE SERVED THAT MUCH BUTTER?

SURE, EVERYTHING IS BETTER WITH BUTTER....RIGHT?

A NICE BROWN IN THE NET.

YET ANOTHER NICE BROWN TROUT

Oh, and don't tell Timmy that a sucker is , well , a less than desirable catch as that one was the fish of the week for him. I've got to say , on a 4-weight rod it was a great fight! But on a fly he tied himself it became also a personal trophy.

CATCH OF THE WEEK FOR TIMMY!

AN UP AND COMING FLY TYER

Mom and Dad got some time to themselves on the river on one weathery , drippy day, and didn't let the time go unfullfilled. Though a bit slow , the day still yielded some memorable moments and some lovely trout.

MOM & DAD CAPITALIZE ON SOME "US" TIME!

AND THEN CATCH FISH....

AFTER FISH....

AFTER FISH.....AND OF COURSE,

IT WOULDN'T BE A JOHN CLOUSER

BLOG WITHOUT THE SIGNATURE SELF PORTRAIT : )

Hope you are having a great summer and .......

Tight Lines!

John Clouser

Fly Fishing Specialist

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

The Wilds prove the Munchable Minnow is Munchable!

Some time ago, I got bored with the same old fly tying and decided to try my hand at designing some new patterns. One such pattern that was created that day was the munchable minnow.

I tied it in a number of different color combos for anything from steelhead to bass. I have fished for many years and knew it would catch fish, but you really don't "know" until the fly is tied and in the water.

Not long after designing it, I posted the photo below and had a client who fishes with out warmwater specialist Graham Stokes email me asking if he could buy some. I said of course, and tied some up for him.

His plan was to use them at "The Wilds" in the early summer. For those of you who aren't familiar with "The Wilds," it is a bass fisherman's paradise!!!

At any rate, Brian (Graham's client) agreed to test some flies for me and here is the rest of the story.....

ROBINSON'S MUNCHABLE MINNOWS

The rest of the story is here by Graham Stokes.......

Wednesday I fished with Brian B. This was Brian’s third year in a row fishing largemouth with me and I really wanted to put him onto a big fish. Last year he landed a great fish so I knew no ordinary fish would make the day.

We found the fish. It may or may not have been as big as last year’s fish but the fight it gave us certainly made the catch. Brian’s TFO 8 weight was bent in half and I had a hard time keeping the kayak out of the brush. The fish jumped twice and went deep into the weeds but eventually came to hand.

We measured the Largemouth at 22 inches and this time I had my boga grip, so we weighed it at 5 pounds. I also used my new waterproof case on the camera to get a picture of the fish underwater.

Perhaps the best part of the story is that the fly Brian used was one he’d specifically requested from Ohio guide and fly tyer, Patrick Robinson. It was Patrick’s “Munchable Minnow” that brought this fish and many others to hand that day.

After some discussion with Graham about his take on the fly, I am pleased to say that Graham liked it enough to request some for his own guide boxes! That in my opinion is the true test. A lot of flies can catch fish, but will other guides want to use your fly?

BRIAN WITH ONE OF MANY FISH CAUGHT

WITH GUIDE GRAHAM STOKES

THE MUNCHABLE MINNOW AFTER GETTING MUNCHED

Graham Stokes guides many days every summer in pursuit of trophy largemouth. On this day, he scored again with a very nice fly rod bass.....maybe not as big as last time, but I bet Brian didn't mind this guy on the end of his line!

GRAHAM HOLDS THE 22" 5LB BEAST THAT HIS CLIENT LANDED

ON AN OLIVE "MUNCHABLE MINNOW"

Graham, thanks for the great job with Brian and thanks for the feedback on the fly. I look forward to seeing photos of even bigger fish taken by the "Munchable Minnow!"

Until next time,

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Father and Sons; fly fishing Adirondack Lakes and Ponds.

Timmy Clouser fly casting the Lake during a summer sun set.

As I stood on the bank of one of my favorite Adirondack ponds, threading my fly line through the guides of my rod and eyeing the surface of the water for any signs of life , a fellow approached me and quipped .. " not looking for trout here are ya'?" Being that this pond was dominated by warm water species , his question was a little tongue-in-cheek , but I realized right away that it was his association of my fly tackle with trout and river fishing that motivated his question.

Timmy with a nice grip and grin Large Mouth.

While I certainly understood this association , I couldn't help wondering why people would put the fly rod away once trout are not in the forecast. Don't they know what a blast a hefty smallmouth or toothy pike can be on a fly rod? There are largemouths lurking as big as small dogs. Even the yellow perch and the bluegills can be loads of fun on lightweight rods and wispy tippets. And especially here in the Adirondack Mountains of New York , where the opportunities for all these tremendous warm water fish are legion, does it seem appropriate to expect more than just spinning rods on the lakes and ponds.

Young Teddy Clouser with a Fly caught blue gill.

Oh, and by the way , there are plenty of trout in the lakes as well , you just have to know what you are doing.I love trout and salmon and spend more of my time chasing them than any other fish , but I am certainly not beyond the thrill of a leaping, battling smallmouth or slashing, ambushing pike. And there are evenings when a serene paddle while casting or trolling streamers for brookies or casting dries for surface feeding rainbows is just the way I feel.

John Clouser with a Land lock Salmon

The supply of lakes and ponds , one for every purpose , seems endless up here , and their deep clean waters in all their variations are a constant alluring presence....Especially when you bring children into the picture. Wading a river is too much for a young child but standing lakeside or sitting in a canoe or small boat is well within reach, and can be an exciting new world.On a cool mountain evening in late June I am in my Radisson canoe with my oldest son.

Timmy with a fine fly caught Small Mouth bass!

I am slowly rowing it , trolling behind us our sparkling Clouser minnows on our sink tip lines. We are the only people on this large and less accessible pond and the wildlife is doing a dance for us , keeping us entertained as we relax into the rythym of the oars. Loons are calling and splashing , hawks circle and call, while an occasional beaver slides silently by at a distance. It is so pristine and timeless that we feel special just being there. Then comes the tug on the line and we leap from our reverie to the rods ... it is indeed a fish and not a snag. For a small brookie, it fights well and adds perfection to a night that needed nothing more.

Timmy with his first brook Trout.

On a warm evening in July I am standing in the shallows of a blue gem of a lake just before sunset. My oldest son is beside me and together we are casting into the dropoff that I know is just out beyond us. We are looking for whatever will take our fly. I am showing my son how to strip streamers and make them look real to a fish. He is so enthusiastic and i am touched. He repeats everything I tell him back to me , explaining it to me with extra details that he adds himself.

Timmy Completeing the Adirondack Grand Slam !!!

He is improving quickly and is in fact doing it quite well , though I occasionally cast for him or bail him out of a tangle. When the pull does come , he screams with delight and fights the fish as though it were a grizzly bear. He is so proud and so happy when he holds his fish up for the camera. If he could only know how much I love him.

John Clouser
SAO Fly fishing guide

Summer fly fishing for Bass and Panfish

On Monday I had a chance to meet up and take good friend and client Dr. Nathan Mayl from Florida, and go out for a day on the water while he was in the Toledo area visiting family. Nate just got the new Largemouth bass rod from Sage and wanted to break it in on some Buckeye bucket mouths and some river small mouth.

Dr. Nate with 5 pounds of Buckeye Bass

We started the day by hitting the Portage River in search of Smallmouth Bass, Gar, and Carp. The river was very low, warm, and like the Maumee river the fishing was very slow. We managed a average sized river Smallmouth and a few other misses. The temperatures continued to rise as the morning progressed, so we decided to work on spey casting while we were standing on some open water. Later in the day we moved on to some large farm ponds in Wood County for a chance at a trophy bass.

Bull Bluegill that took a leech bugger pattern.

I decided on a pond that had a great reputation for big Largemouth and Bluegill, I knew they were their because this is one of my favorite ponds in Ohio with a real chance for trophy bass up into the 8 pound range and bigger. Needless to say we lost count on the number of bass and big Bluegill netted that afternoon. Hot patterns were leech flies and Dr. Nate's Florida snook popper's. Over all another great summer trip and a great time had by all.  Dr. Nate see you in the fall for steelhead season and thank you for a great time!!!

Another small gill on the leech.

Well, Pat is in the air on the way to California in search of Golden trout, and the rest of the guys are fishing or casting somewhere or another LOL!!! Me? well I have numerous fly orders to tie and I am finishing out the summer guiding schedule. We will be in Canada in a month and I have been tying like a mad man to get everything done for this wilderness trip. Thank you to everyone for their orders, phone calls, and emails regarding my fly tier of the year award from Orvis, I really appreciate it!!!

Salmon tube fly for Salmon in Canada..

Tight Lines,

Greg Senyo

Owner/Operator

Steelhead Alley Outfitters