Does anyone know what the current steelhead conditions are? Thinking about either erie or logan branch tomorow. Any input would be appreciated, thanks.

I fished Elk with my 8 year old on Thursday. This is what happens when you have good grades! We fished a bit downstream from 79 and found some fish. The conditions were low then but still colored. On our trip home we hit some pretty big downpours so the water could be slighty different now. I personally didn't fish much, but my Son did hook-up four times. At least 1 hen that I saw looked bright and I saw multiply fish paired off doing their thing.

We may have lucked out with finding fish because I have read reports of people bitching about lack of fish. Then again I don't know how lazy they are with walking. We covered only about a mile of water and found fish where they should be for this time of year.

I had a great day of steelheading in the Erie area last Tuesday. Depends on what your looking for and how hard you want to work for it. There are a few fresh fish and pleny of dropbacks feeding below redds. You will likely need small offerings and lighter tippit. Water temp was up to around 47F last week on the tribs. Should be even warmer now with the temps the past few days.

Cool thanks guys, any guess as to what the crowds would be on lower elk?

nope. Check the web cam at uncle johns campground. I normally don't fish down low.

http://www.unclejohnselkcreekcamp.com/webcam/

O yea, totally forgot about that.

Even when there are crowds, you can walk a little to find relative solitude and unmolested fish.

Tons of annoying smolts down low.

so how long will they be around this year till mid april?

I was thinking of hitting erie tomorrow but changed my mind I heard they got rain and not sure if this flushed them out to the lake or not. When the water hits around 50 degrees they start making it back into the lake. I am going to hit slippery rock tomorrow. The grand river in ohio will have steelhead until early june. I'm hitting that at the end of march.

Quote:

All depends on the creek temps. Pushing towards 50F now. The Erie tribs warm up quick. With the warm weather we've had it will push them out quicker. Supposed to cool back off this coming weeked.

There are plenty of fish around, it's just not like fishing in November. If you don't mind walking and pushing on, you will find them. If you are of the opinion that the numbers are down because you cannot walk across fish, then you certainly will be disappointed. Remeber, fish where they should be, not just where you see them. That will double or triple your day right there.

Quote:

Although I do review this fellows reports for creek conditions occasionally, I can't tell you how many times I have caught a ton of fish on the Mile Creeks when he reported there are no fish to be caught. He's a nice guy, but his reports about the fish are unreliable at best.

I fished upper elk today. It was low and clear with fair numbers of fish. I managed two females and Pretty much had the creek to myself. Suckers were everywhere! Lots of smolt as well.

The steelies may be on their way out but the SHAD are on their way!!!