Finally

For awhile I thought I forgot how to catch a fish. That’s tough to say, especially during peak steelhead season. Social media fishing groups are filled with reports of 10+ steelhead catches almost the norm. And I make five trips in February and March to Lake Erie tributaries and not even a bump. That’s some bad juju!

Wrong flies…wrong time…wrong stretch of water…wrong day. It was all wrong. The strange thing was I fished good water that had always been productive. And, on the days I was on the water I wasn’t seeing anybody else catch chrome. There would be five or six fishermen sharing water, all coming up empty. Was it me? Was I spreading my bad juju to them? It was getting so bad that I wanted to go up to them and apologize, explaining they won’t be catching anything today. But for my own safety, and not wanting to spoil their day before it began, I just went about my business…of not catching a fish.

Something had to change. I went fishing yesterday and decided to go as far south as I can go on the Chagrin River. Maybe get away from the crowds and find some unpressured water. I had nothing to lose. If I wasn’t hooking up on popular stretches of water I’d find some place without footprints in the mud. I found the spot and began to swing flies in pools and riffles. For a little over two hours I threw every color woolly bugger in my fly box without a bump. Was it going to be another long ride home smelling of skunk?

Absolutely not. Running out of water I had a small riffle left to fish. Only having about 10’ of fly line and the leader on the water I got a tug. I set the hook and it felt great. A quick fight ended with some chrome in the net. How ironic. The shortest cast of the day catches the fish. Not the biggest steelhead I’ve caught but at that time it was a giant.

After a long drought getting this fish in the net felt great.

 

After I released it I said to myself “that wasn’t a fish, that was a smile. I’m back!

Go out and fool a fish!

Winter Is Starting To Show Some Cracks

My last day on the river was January 6th. At that time, based on past history, the winter was mild. But around the Great Lakes people know “it’s just a matter of time”. Well, shortly after that date winter showed up. It hasn’t been a snowy winter but it has been cold. In northeast Ohio we are about 18” behind the average snowfall, but the temperatures have made up for it. We have had only one three-day stretch of below zero temps but they have consistently been below 32° for highs, and low-to-mid teens for lows. That locked up the rivers, and made ice fishing lakes and ponds the preferred activity.

Typical look the last month or so. Locked up rivers with minimal open water.

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 The rivers are starting to look like this.

Soon they will look like this.

Fast forward 37 days since the last time my waders got wet and there’s a crack starting to show up in winter. Daytime temperatures are starting to creep upwards. Long stretches of water are opening up. In fact, yesterday was the first day since early January that good numbers of steelhead were caught in the rivers. Days like yesterday will do more for a steelheader’s attitude than a couple of beers.

The rivers and streams are filled with chrome. We just need the opportunity to get to them.

Now that I’ve pumped myself up, and hopefully my readers, time for some cold water in the face. We still have 36 days until spring. And around northeast Ohio a lot can happen between then and now. One storm can erase the snow deficit, and a polar vortex can still chill our bones. But, we know fishermen are optimists, and right now we see that crack and want to make it bigger. Anyhow, keep the beer close just in case.

Go out and fool a fish!

Spring Came Early

Even though spring is 28 days away there is a feeling that it’s already here, at least for steelhead fishermen. Steelhead Alley has had a tough couple of months. There’s been enough snow, brutal cold and iced up rivers to last three winters. But, it looks like a big break in the weather pattern has taken place, and it has steelheaders at the starting blocks, ready to hit the rivers.

A warming trend, lasting longer than just one day, has melted the ice and brought spring rains, filling the rivers with fresh chrome. But, steelheaders are an impatient lot. Get a melt that blows out the rivers and social media fishing groups light up with questions as to when will the rivers be fishable. Sick days and vacation time are taken. Nobody wants to be late to the party. With some luck this party should last for about two months.

Fishermen will be chasing steelhead up and down the rivers for the next two months.

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I’m going out on a short limb and forecast no more ice outs on the rivers this winter. March is right around the corner, and while it could be a cruel month weatherwise, I believe the trend is for slightly warmer temperatures. If we can string some dry days together, the rivers will be in prime shape.

Let’s get ready to hit the water.

Did someone say party?

Go out and fool a fish!

I’ll Take A Bit Of Luck Every Time

This can’t possibly be February in Northeast Ohio. No snow on the ground. No blown out rivers. Temperatures in the 60’s. This would give Steelhead Alley a bad name if not for the great fishing. There have been multiple reports of double digit days, and it appears as though the chromers are all over the rivers. Facebook is lighting up with photos. What I’ve learned in my relatively short time fishing for steelhead is that it’s never as easy as it looks. It seems that I’ve been proving that statement correct every time I’ve been on the water in 2017. A few poor hooksets led to short fights, and long distance releases. So, when I waded into the river yesterday there was one goal, get the skunk off. It didn’t take me long thanks to three fishermen.

I hit a spot on the Chagrin River that is turning out to be my go-to place not only for steelhead but for smallies in the summer. There are several pools with some good structure that always seem to hold fish. Unfortunately, when I arrived there were three fishermen in one of the pools. I didn’t want to see if the pool was big enough to hold a fourth so I moved downstream. Decisions like this will sometimes make or break the day. You have to have a little luck.

I began to drift a bright pink egg pattern through the water, working my way from the tail to the head of the pool. I made a cast close to the opposite bank and the indicator lazily moved downstream. Then it moved ever so slightly towards me. With the reflexes of a jaguar (OK, an old jaguar) I instinctively set the hook. A brief fight ensued, but in the end the chrome hit the net, and the skunk was gone. Looking back on that take, if I had not been watching the indicator I would have missed it. That was one of the lightest hits I ever had chasing steelhead.

It felt good to get this one in the bottom of the net.

Three casts later and I hooked up again. But back to my old ways, I didn’t get a good hookset. So I played with it for about 10 seconds and off it went. Two more casts and I hooked up again. But my shoulders slumped when it came off a few seconds later. So, in about 10 minutes I had three takes from the same pool. Now, that’s fishing.

Here’s where I have to thank the three fishermen that were mentioned earlier. As I moved back upstream I passed them. They asked if I had any luck. After telling them about the action I had they let it be known that they were blanked. I told them I’ve been there many times. But their bad luck was my good luck. If they had not been there I would have worked over the pool they were on, and the skunk may have still been alive.

Go out and fool a fish!

If Only The Fish Had Cooperated

It’s the middle of winter and hard core fishermen try to steal any time they can on the water. I’m not sure I fit that category although my wife may say I’m crazy. But Old Man Winter has lost his grip for a few days. It is Mid-January, and temperatures are approaching 60° in steelhead alley. Who can pass up a chance to get on the water? Maybe the fish will cooperate.

Last week all the rivers were blown out. Now, most of the rivers are fishable. It’s time to get out before the next rain event. Maybe the fish will cooperate.

For me, I’m going to hit a creek that flows into the Grand River. It’s in good shape. Maybe the fish will cooperate.

Being retired it seems that these days my toughest decisions revolve around whether I should drift an egg pattern or swing a streamer? I’ll take the easy way out and try a little of both. Maybe the fish will cooperate.

Sunday and Monday are out, so Tuesday’s the day. Warmer temps mean one or two less layers of clothing, and no ice on the guides. Perfect. Maybe the fish will cooperate.

Tuesday comes and there’s rain in the area, but it looks like there’s a window of dry weather for a couple of hours. I arrive at the creek and there’s another car in the lot. He’s downstream, so I head in the opposite direction, and hit a couple of pools. The water was stained from the overnight rain but still fishable. Working an egg pattern through the pool attracted nothing but a small branch. Time to switch to the streamer. Cast after cast produced nothing. Change colors, nothing. The fish aren’t cooperating.

This creek had good flow, and a slight stain. Perfect conditions early. If only the fish had cooperated.

(Click on image for larger view.)

 

Through all this I didn’t notice the sky was darkening. Then the rain started. I decided to take a break and head to the car. At about the same time I reached the car a loud rumble began. The thunder was just as good as any summertime storm and it hung around for a few minutes. Then the heavy rain started. So, my outing was cut short after two hours with nothing to show for it.

If only the fish had cooperated.

Go out and fool a fish!

60 Seconds With Mike Durkalec

Today I am beginning a series of quick interviews with people close to the fishing industry. Some of the people you may recognize, others you won’t, but all will have something of interest for everyone. The title, “60 Seconds With”, hopefully will be the time it will take to read the interview.

The first interview will be with Michael Durkalec, Aquatic Biologist, for the Cleveland Metroparks. Mike is very close to the fishing community in northeast Ohio. To update local fishermen on current fishing conditions Mike publishes a weekly fishing report on the Cleveland Metroparks website. He is extremely knowledgeable in all types of fishing methods, and has been the guest speaker at many local fishing expos.

Mike with a huger brown trout from a recent fishing trip.

Q: Growing up, a lot of kids want to be a policeman or fireman. I don't know of any who have said they wanted to be an aquatic biologist. How did you decide that was going to be your path in life?

A: I had an affinity for fishing and water from a very early age. I also performed well in the sciences. But it wasn't until early in college when I was majoring in biology I came to an epiphany. I was enjoying a beautiful spring day fishing for steelhead on the Rocky River, thinking about what I could do with my life when it came to me - could I find a career option in which I could enjoy my love of fishing AND my inclination toward sciences together? Follow up research revealed the field of fisheries biology as an option, and after obtaining my B.S. in Biology I followed up with an M.S. in Fisheries Management from Ohio State University, and ended up on the track which brings me to where I am today. I have zero regrets that I found the right path for me.

Q: What are your responsibilities as an aquatic biologist for the Cleveland Metroparks?

A: I oversee all aspects of the Park District fisheries program, much of the water quality monitoring, and serve as an advocate and expert on water issues. The fisheries program involves active fish management (ie- stocking, population surveys, and habitat improvement), providing fishing information to the public in many forms, and hosting fishing programs. But I do have great diversity in my job, which I love, and never quite know what surprises will come up from day to day. That's part of what I find so rewarding about public service.

Q: The Rocky River Reservation is one of the crown jewels for the Metroparks. What is it about the Rocky River that makes it one of the best rivers in the country for fishing?

A: A combination of lots of public land on 31 miles of the Rocky River protected by our parks coupled with an excellent stocking program (Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Metroparks collaboration) and a diversity of native resident and migratory Lake Erie fishes. We are proud to be the largest landowner in the state of Ohio on a particular stream. I owe this is large part to the forward looking vision of our park founders.

Q: Several weeks ago you published a portion of the fishing log you kept during the 1990's and early 2000's. In a three day period you hooked 228 steelhead. Those are numbers we don't see these days. What changed from then to now?

A: There were more steelhead, and far less pressure in those days. That instance was in a remote valley on a western NY stream that is now much more heavily fished. Why were there more fish then? Likely a combination of more sea lamprey parasites now impacting their numbers adversely, coupled with changes in the ecosystem. For example, the massive number of non native quagga mussels in the lake filtering out plankton (the base of the aquatic food web) has undoubtedly had some adverse affect on food availability to fishes. Expansive, late summer dead zones (oxygen void areas), due to algae blooms is likely another factor. Asian carp knocking at the door of the Great Lakes is another concern. It's a huge, complex system that is affected by many interwoven factors that scientists are continually learning about.

Q: What are the chances of seeing those numbers again?

A: Hard to say, but I'm guessing the number of anglers out there are more likely to increase than the reverse. BUT- I can tell you from experience that you don't need that many fish to have a great day. In fact, catching a good number of fish, yet few enough that each one is memorable, makes for a better quality outing. I can say this from experience. My perfect day is a beautiful day on the water with a good friend where we fish thoroughly, and hook 20 or so steelhead. Far from my best numbers, but great by any standard, and enough fish to keep things very interesting. And still a very realistic goal in the scope of our current steelhead program, which, frankly, is among the best anywhere. And I've fished all over the US and Canada, so I feel I have a good perspective to appreciate that.



Thanks Mike for your valuable insights!

Go out and fool a fish!

Mother Nature be Kind to Steelheaders

Low flows have prevented good numbers of steelhead from coming up the rivers

Mother Nature has not been kind to Steelhead Alley so far this fall. Since early September, when the first reports of chrome in the rivers started circulating, the Alley hasn’t received any significant rain. Every time a front would come through, with the promise of rain, it dries up before reaching northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania. All the rivers would get a minor bump in flow, but not enough to get the steelhead moving upriver in decent numbers. There are reports of some good numbers being caught at the mouths of the rivers from fishermen in kayaks, canoes, or boats. It just doesn’t seem like many of the fish have been able to make it past the mouth. A few steelhead have been found upriver, but by now there should be a lot more action than there is.

I tried to find my own action yesterday. The area had a little rain the night before and the flows bumped up a little, so I gave it a try. Living between the Chagrin and Grand Rivers, it is always a flip of a coin as to which river to hit. I thought the Grand would give me the best shot, so I made my way to one of the Lake Metroparks access points. Hitting the water at sunrise, even with the bump in flows, the water was about as low as I’ve ever seen it. After working the usual spots, where I had previous success, I began to think of a skunking. When chasing steelhead, a skunking is not anything to be ashamed of, but I decided to go down fighting. After all, in my last post I mentioned patience and covering water as keys to success. Practice what you preach.

If I was going to find chrome, I had to find deep water, even it was a small pool. There’s a section of the Grand at this access point that I never fished. It is about a half mile downstream. After making my way to this section, I noticed some darker water. Add to that, a couple downed trees and moving water, and my first thought was “there has to be a fish in that spot”.

Normally, when fishing a streamer, I’ll make a standard across and downstream cast, letting the fly swing through the pool. But with the downed trees, and limited space for a backcast, my only option was to make an upstream cast and dead drift the fly. On the second drift the fly line twitched, so I set the hook. For a split second I thought it was a snag, but a snag doesn’t move the line. The fish took off and the fight was on. It jumped, revealing itself to me. It wasn’t a big steelhead, but it was fresh and full of vinegar. The fish gave a good account of itself, and put up a nice fight, but finally found the bottom of the net. Skunk off.

This fresh jack put up a good fight.

So, covering water and patience does pay off. I not only found a spot that will be visited again for a shot at chrome, but it has to hold some smallmouth bass in the summer.

I wonder what’s around the next bend?

Go out and fool a fish!

Steelhead Season Arrives in the Alley

Changing leaves and low cloud cover. Steelhead season has arrived in the Alley.

Even though I’ve been back fishing for about five years after a long, long layoff it’s obvious that around the middle of September a change takes place in northeast Ohio. It all revolves around cooling temperatures and a bump in the river flows. Get a good rain in September and the steelheaders dust the cobwebs off their gear and hit the river. Gone are the warm days of summer, all alone on the Grand and Chagrin rivers. Gone is the ability to wet wade in warm water searching for smallmouth. Say hello to layers of clothing, crowds, and in about six weeks, iced guides. Can’t wait!

See ya in the spring, Mr. Smallie

Hello Mr. Steelie

Won't see an empty river until late May

A couple of weeks ago we had some rain and cool temps that brought some steelhead into the rivers. There have been reports of fisherman catching a few but not in numbers usually seen when the big run is on. I even hooked into one but was using my bass rod with a light tippet, and the fish made a run and broke off. Everyone I talked to is waiting for the big rain event that should really get the fish moving. The rain we had yesterday did not move the water levels much. Fishing may be tough for awhile as the fish in the system battle low water, and fishing pressure.

For anyone who has visited some of the fishing message boards and forums has seen an increase in discussions about steelhead, with most of them questioning where the fish are. Steelheaders are just as tightlipped as anyone on exactly where they find the fish, so don’t expect a straight answer.

The other noticeable change is the amount of steelhead expos and classes put on by local organizations and fly shops. Seems like just about every week from late September through October you can visit an expo or take a class on how to catch steelhead with all types of tackle, baits, and flies. One of the better expos is usually put on by the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders at the Rocky River Nature Center. This year’s was October 3, and was well attended. Exhibitors range from fly tiers to organizations working to improve watersheds. There were also presentations on a range of topics, including gear for steelheading, and an update from ODNR on the stocking program.

Steelhead seminars start the season

Local fly tiers crafting steelhead flies

In closing, as a word of advice, if you start fishing for steelhead, have patience. It will take you awhile to learn their holding lines. Also, cover water, and don’t be afraid to change flies and lures.

Go out and fool a steelhead!