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!

Steelhead Alley Update... Another Bump In Flows!

Today's rain provided another bump in flows to area rivers and streams. Many of these streams were very close to dialing into fishable conditions and good water clarity, but instead the recent rain has slightly swollen the rivers once again, and current visibility is less than stellar. This should be the last push of rain for a few days (fingers crossed), and some of the PA Tributaries and smaller Ohio feeders should fish by this friday.

To add injury to insult old man winter wants to go out with a bang! Looks like more snow and chilly teen temperatures going into the end of the week. We have been able to get out in between the rain and small windows of opportunity to fish so far. The good news is things always get better, and the coming weeks forecast looks promising.  Here are a few recent pictures from the gang...

A beautiful hen steelhead that took one of Tim's tube flies.

Vince poses with a good Ohio buck Steelhead from a recent trip with Will Turek.

Nancy with a hard earned Ohio steelhead.

Bo poses with his first Steelhead on the fly, while fishing with Tim Hess.

Your first steelhead is always memorable....

Lake Erie Golden Bone Fish that inhaled a Chicken Little, spring is near...

This summer I will be teaming up with Mike Schmidt of Angler's Choice Flies to offer a fly tying work shop weekend! Fly tying, rigging, casting, lodging, good food, spirits, and a great time! Space is limited please contact Mike Schmidt at 614-638-6727 to RSVP.

If you are looking for a great experience with fly tackle on Lake Erie Tributaries for Steelhead, please don't hesitate to call us at 888-453-5899 or email us at team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com.

Thank God for Fish, Friends, and a Team!

It's no secret that we have had a very snowy winter and one heck of a lot of rain in recent weeks. The good news is that the last couple of days, the sun has chased away the clouds and rivers are starting to drop back and fish. A couple of days ago though the fight was still on.

I found myself on the water a few days back with a long time client and friend of SAO named Dave and this time he brought his long time buddy, Frank. This was Frank's first shot at Steelhead on the fly and I can say confidently that all of us at SAO are excited whenever we have the chance to make that introduction!

Dave and Frank drove up on Tuesday evening and unfortunately on arrival, they found it starting to rain. Well, you know how fickle the Alley can be. With ground that was already choking on the water it had, our nicely dialing streams were hit with every drop of rain and melt that came off. Much to my chagrin (not to mention my clients) we arrived on the stream the next morning to find less than desirable conditions. We decided that with a little visibility remaining, we would give it a shot. Perhaps the stream would drop back as quickly as she colored up and allow us a decent shot.

Well, as much as I would like to think that I am invincible as a guide and can always make the day happen, it just ain't so. We all know that fishing is fishing....and I for one am not invincible! Passionate at times, yes, but invincibility should probably be left as a designation for someone much better than me. So with a deep disappointment for my clients, I had to do the right thing by my clients and call the best part of the day our fellowship. Fortunately for our clients they had planned for two days...and sometimes that is the saving grace. As many anglers know who fish the Alley, "It's crazy the difference a day makes!"

Another fortunate thing is that at Steelhead Alley Outfitters, we are blessed to be a part of a team...and the team pulled through for our friends Dave and Frank. On day two the conditions improved and our team guide John Miller worked his butt off to get these guys on fish! Great job John for getting the job done under tough conditions. And congrats Frank on your first fly caught Steelhead...I just wish I could have been there to see it personally. Regardless, the SAO team is stoked that you guys got the fish....we look forward to the next time we share water...

Here are a few shots from yesterdays trip...

Our good friend Dave with a hot cheeked buck

Dave gets a nice dropback hen.

Frank puts a very nice colored up buck to the net.

Way to go Frank! We hope to see you again!

The best part of our opportunity to do what we do is the time we get to spend on the water with those who entrust us with their time and resources. So, thanks again guys for coming out and giving us a shot at putting fish in your hands.

To all those watching and reading, the streams are dropping back and we are watching the conditions improve daily. If you are in the mood to get out and give Steelhead on the fly a shot for the first time, or the first time in a while, please call us at 888-453-5899 or email us at team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com.. It would be our privilege to spend a day on the water with you!

Sincerely,

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

A Couple Of Great Days On Steelhead Alley!

This past Monday and Tuesday we had the pleasure of fishing with Dave and Chris Miller from Indianapolis. The river was still up alittle, but the water color and clarity was decent as we started out each morning. We had to work hard for them each day, deal with a few pairs of cold hands and icy feet, but we found plenty of fish willing to eat our bugs and distract us from the numbness.

Yesterdays rain set back a few of the Ohio tributaries by a couple extra days, but the PA Tributaries seem to be holding there own with higher than usual, but fishable flows. Water color and clarity can be an issue so watch for those bumps on the flow gauges. The best producing fly patterns for us this week were Orange and Chartreuse egg patterns and sucker spawn, White and pearl estaz buggers, and black/chartreuse leech patterns.

At this point we did not locate many fresh steelhead in the stream, but with the warmer weather they were starting to move in. We did however locate plenty of pods through out the river, most of which were deep in the larger and slower moving pools. We will be out pretty much from here on out as long as the weather cooperates, so we will have more for you later...  

Chris and Dave pose with a hefty Lake Erie Steelhead.

Dave with a nice Buck Steelhead of his own.

The majority of our fish came on one of Brett McCrae's Custom Buggers.

Chris hooked up on a hot fish! 

Chris poses for a quick shot with a good sized Lake Erie Steelhead.

Even though it was pretty chilly, the fish were full of fight!

Chris releases another nice Lake Erie Steelhead.

Dave with a nice Hen Steelhead.

I'm so glad spring is finally here!

Chris with another Lake Erie Steelhead to end the day on a good note!

If you are interested in spending a day or a few days fly fishing for Lake Erie Steelhead, we would love to hear from you! Our guide trips include all rods, reels, flies, leaders, tippet, stream side lunch, a great guide, and a good time. Please Call us at 888-453-5899 or email us at team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com.. 

Tight Lines!

Greg Senyo

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

News Flash !!! Elk Creek Alligator Caught!!!

A fisherman on May 15th noticed something a little odd swimming about at the Elk Creek Access in Girard, PA. The PA Fish Commission and an animal control officer captured the reptile and found it a new home. The 3ft alligator was obviously placed in the water by its previous owner who no longer wanted to care for it.

So now we know the reason for the decline

in our Steelhead Runs! Smolt Killer caught!

No task is to great for local PA Fish Commission Officers

You never quite know whats lurking in the water. Fly selection for this outing: Greg Senyo himself; Colors of choice: a chartreuse jump suit and pink ascot for flash!

Until next time....................

Tim Hess

Spring Creek Gold and Elk Creek Bronze

This past Sunday, I ventured to Central Pennsylvania in the "wee hours" to meet up with Joel Bock, a veteran of the Spring Creek waters and a good friend. After a quick breakfast and a few laughs we would trek the beaten trail, in hopes of tight lines and solitude. Initially we would find those rewards as the fish were cooperative and the water fishermen free. As the Sulphurs magically appeared from the riffles, the fishermen did the same from the landscape. I have to say that it was very easy to loose the crowds in my mind as the fish occupied my conscious.

First fish of the day and the first fish

caught on my new Orvis Hydros 4wt

Nice Brown Trout that fell to a Sulphur Emerger

Joel with a nice Spring Creek Brown Trout!

Another Spring Creek Wild Brown Trout

Upon my return to Northwestern PA, I decided to wade my home waters of Elk Creek in search of the mighty Lake Erie Small mouth. I was a mere 30 minutes into it and already landed 3 nice bronze beauties. After my last release, 30 seconds passed and I was standing in water that rose an incredible 2 1/2 feet and turned to mud. I was forced to the bank and watched in awe as mother nature stole my moment.....I have never seen The Elk come up that quickly!

A Nice " pre flood" Caught Lake Erie Small Mouth Bass.

Another View

I will be back on Elk Creek in the days to come chasing Bronze Backs and praying Mother Nature decides to pick on someone else's Fishery! The Small Mouth Bass fishing on our tributaries has been fantastic! If you would like to get out let us know...

Until Then...Tight Lines!

Tim Hess

Fly Fishing Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Nothing like "Cold Steel" in your hands!

A good friend of mine Matt Smith and I ventured out on a cold (26 degree) day this past Friday to introduce Matt to some first time steelhead fishing on Elk Creek. Matt and I have enjoyed fishing together on some Central PA streams but Matt has never had the thrill of chasing bruiser bucks and hungry hens.....Until Now!

Matt with his first ever Steelhead. Congrats Matt!

After adding layers to fight the cold, we were on the creek at first light. It did not take long for Matt to adapt to the cold and more importantly, swinging flies to aggressive fish. He was able to bring a colored up buck to the net in the first fifteen minutes on the water! Not bad for a newbie.
The action was steady throughout the day, as I watched Matt bring a total of ten fish to the net. Most all fish fell to Senyo's Ice Man Minnow with a few taking a blood dot egg pattern.

Matt trying to convince one to "come to PaPa"

As the day went on and the sun rose high, the temperature held at COLD! Although this had quite an effect on the fisherman, the fish seemed to care less. But, as any steelheader knows : the way to keep warm is to keep fish on the line! Matt was destined to stay warm the day through.

A nice hen taken on an egg pattern

A smile worth a thousand words

Myself with one of the Ice Man Minnow takers

Until next time!

Tim Hess

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Soaked in Steel...Steelhead Alley River Report

What a great start to the week! Rain moved into the area Monday and the temperatures dropped into the high 30's. This is exactly what the rivers needed to keep good flow levels and water color, We are seeing a small trickle of fresher fish moving up stream which is also a plus. The crowds have been minimal at best and the majority of the fish we caught were winter hold overs or have been in the river a few weeks already.

More Rain and a mix of sleet and snow are in the forecast starting this Thursday with night time lows in the 20's and 30's. We have multiple guides out pretty much as usual from here on out, so we will keep the updates as current as possible. Right now the Ohio tributaries are on the high side with a few coming into fishable conditions quickly. The PA tributaries are fishing well with great color and flows. Having 7 guides PA Licensed really has paid off over the past two years! This enables us move around the weather and fish alot of very good water when ever possible with any size group.

Hot flies the past few days have been Robinson's Chicken Little's with chartreuse, orange, and pink egg heads. Senyo's Ice Man Minnows in grey/pearl, emerald shiner, and blue/pink. Sucker spawn and skein flies in white, peach, yellow, and pink. Caddis larvae in Chartreuse and dark olive. BH attractor nymphs in black, cream, and olive.

Here are a few pictures from the past few days on the alley. We will get a few more pics up as they all come in from the guys. We would like to thank everyone who has fished with us so far for a great start to the spring season. Hope you enjoy..

Until Next Time!

Sincerely,

Greg Senyo-SAO