The first big rainstorm of the fall has yet to show up. In northeast Ohio we’ve had a few cold fronts come through that initially looked promising for a good rain. But unbelievably, what started out as a possible 1-1/2” rain ended up being ¼”. Not enough for a good bump in flows to get the steelhead moving upriver. There is some chrome in the rivers, but most are staging at the mouth of the Lake Eire tributaries waiting for the big push.
My unscientific view is that the Vanpoppen Bubble is protecting northeast Ohio from a major rainstorm. In my mind, the bubble is mass of very dry air that affects any front that moves through the area. This bubble of dry air forces the moisture north and south of northeast Ohio. What results is an area begging for a big rain.
Actually, this bubble has affected the rain totals since the beginning of summer. For the past three to four months the rivers flowing into Lake Erie have been extremely low. Sediment is building up. If anyone waded these rivers the past few months I’m sure they’ve kicked up sediment as they made their way up or downstream. Now, the leaves are starting to accumulate. We need a big push of water to set us up for another steelhead season.
So, for hundreds, if not thousands of fishermen, all we can do is wait until the bubble is popped and a big rain comes. Until then, hit the mouths of the rivers, and the shoreline of Lake Erie. Steelhead are there, and they are feeding. Or, if you're like me, dream about catching some chrome.
A guy can dream, can't he?
Go out and fool a fish!
