Mashbill
Well-known member
Avonia Beach webcam pretty crazy right now .... actually very beautiful! like a black and white noir film
Erie Tribs Steelhead Trip Help
- Thread starter VinT
- Start date
CRB
Well-known member
wicked 15" so far today shoved my driveway when i got to the end there was 2" where I started😡
roads are passable but not plowed and ice underneath.
And, here's the kicker more on the way🙁
24"to + 36" of the white stuff
Tip: don't wear felts they build up with snow ice and will cause you to slip on your fist step into the stream.
roads are passable but not plowed and ice underneath.
And, here's the kicker more on the way🙁
24"to + 36" of the white stuff
Tip: don't wear felts they build up with snow ice and will cause you to slip on your fist step into the stream.
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VinT
New member
Thank you for the detailed report! Man, if I only lived an hour away I'd be there every other weekend. I'm glad you were able to catch one, and you missed the snow, I'd say you did pretty well!
Do they continue to enter the tributaries this late? I thought they only made runs until early November. Mashbill says that they have moved way upstream, so maybe that's where you should have went instead?
VinT
New member
That's pretty intense snow, I'm glad I was able to see this coming and not have to get stuck in it. I'm sure you boys are used to it, but be safe driving, and watch out for the idiots.
Mashbill, you said that they have moved way upstream. How far is way upstream? Is there an example you can give me, or distance?
Mashbill
Well-known member
above RT 98 for sure ... FishErie.com has some great information and a fishing report that is helpful
CRB
Well-known member
GETTING A LITTLE NUTS NOW.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO PUT THIS WHITSTUFF!!!
BLOWER HAS BEEN WORKINHG OT
ANOTHER 18" NORTH OF I-90.
cALLING FOR MORE TOMORROW!
LAKE TEMP 49*
EEKK!!!!
Bills Game should be epic!
I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO PUT THIS WHITSTUFF!!!
BLOWER HAS BEEN WORKINHG OT
ANOTHER 18" NORTH OF I-90.
cALLING FOR MORE TOMORROW!
LAKE TEMP 49*
EEKK!!!!
Bills Game should be epic!
VinT
New member
That is very helpful, thank you!
And thank you everyone else for all of your help, it is much appreciated!!
bigslackwater
Active member
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2011
- Messages
- 754
Fall was a total bust this year with low water conditions. The numbers of fish harvested has to be lower than usual. I suspect fishing is going to be amazing middle of winter in to the spring.
HookedOnFlies
New member
I am seeking some guidance on selecting the appropriate fly line for targeting Lake Erie Steelhead (would be first time). I need to procure a new fly line for my 9 foot 8 eight rod, which is currently lined with a Scientific Anglers Grand Slam.
I have read favorable reviews about the SA Anadro Indicator line, but I wonder whether the SA Infinity line might be a better choice, as it could perform well when casting dries or streamers for other species. How important is another 10 feet on the head on Erie tribs? Would most likely be swinging or indicator trailing a egg & zonker.
SA Anadro Indicator 62ft Head, 455gr Head, 260gr first 30ft
SA Infinity 52ft Head, 350 Head, 225gr first 30ft
Thanks for any guidance.
I have read favorable reviews about the SA Anadro Indicator line, but I wonder whether the SA Infinity line might be a better choice, as it could perform well when casting dries or streamers for other species. How important is another 10 feet on the head on Erie tribs? Would most likely be swinging or indicator trailing a egg & zonker.
SA Anadro Indicator 62ft Head, 455gr Head, 260gr first 30ft
SA Infinity 52ft Head, 350 Head, 225gr first 30ft
Thanks for any guidance.
I don't believe any specialized fly line is necessary to fish the PA tribs. Between the modest size of the streams and the usual heavy angler traffic, you'll very seldom be casting more than 30-40 feet at most. Any old WF floating line is sufficient for this sort of work. Now, if you plan to fish the Cattaraugus in New York, a more specialized line might be helpful. I don't know as I've never been up there.
nymphingmaniac
Well-known member
I fish the Catt regularly. Not really. I have fished it with both an indicator line and a standard WF. both performed well. Unless you are swinging early in the season, you'll be casting a good amount of weight which drives much of the casting. I sometimes fish deeper runs with a versileader attached, but 90% is standard fly line water
goose54cdd
Active member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2021
- Messages
- 322
CRB
Well-known member
It all depends on if you can get to the water.
I hope we are not in a pattern like what hammered Buffalo last year.
I hope we are not in a pattern like what hammered Buffalo last year.
VinT
New member
I needed new line for my 8wt for this trip that I was planning, I had floating saltwater specific line on the reel already. I would have used it but I'm not sure if it would have held up to freezing temperatures. I ended up just getting all purpose floating level line, I've never used level line before so I can't say if it's any good. But like others have said, what line you run doesn't really matter, you'll just have a few feet out at a time, and you won't be making very long casts. As far as you casting dry flies with the line for other species, I wouldn't worry about that, an 8wt wouldn't really be the right choice for that. I'd just get any double taper or weight forward floating line that is affordable and from a reputable brand.
PennKev
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2006
- Messages
- 3,368
I have tried "indicator" lines in heavier line weights and quickly went back to standard, generic tapers. I found indicator lines to be unpleasant to cast and overkill for the task at hand. Also, your concern about them being one dimensional is correct.
Here is the problem; Great lakes steelheading, particularly in PA, is essentially bobber-rig trout fishing with indicators, flies, and weight at normal trout fishing depths and distances. This can all be easily handled with 5 & 6wt lines. In those line weights, the the heavy-tipped, steeply tapered indicator lines are not too bad. However, once you get into heavier line weights it's just overkill IMO. You can easily over power short casts, over power your mends, and generally disturb the water a lot more than you intend to. If you are a guy who fishes the calm pools in low and clear, it's going to spook a ton of fish.
In fact, I believe that 8wt lines of any taper are overkill for Erie steelhead. 7wt lines are better, but better still are 6wt's. You may be thinking it's difficult to land steelhead on a 6wt rod but it's not. The tippet you use is the primary factor in how long it takes to land a fish. Additionally, it is much more pleasant to fish a 6wt rod, reel, and line all day than it is an 8wt rig, especially in the cold.
So for PA steel, heavy gear and weird taper lines have been off the table for me for quiet a while. Some of the bigger water in NY and OH merit specialized tackle, but for most of it, just gimme heavy trout gear and appropriate leaders and tippet.
nymphingmaniac
Well-known member
I agree with with most of what pennkev said. My first steelhead/SMB rod I got on a special was an 8wt. I use a 7WT now. I feel a 6wt is underpowered for picking up nymphing rigs and getting big fish out of fast water. I don't fish Erie, only the Catt which is a larger stream. Never been to Erie tribs (yeah, I know) but I bet a 6WT would be sufficient there. As he wrote, a big difference fishing a 6 or 7 all day long vs an 8wt. I use the 7 wt during high water for trout (streamers). I would never think to use the 8wt for that.
I know you have the 8wt rod, and fish it like I did. I and Pennkev mention this because others considering buying a set up might be reading this thread too.
I know you have the 8wt rod, and fish it like I did. I and Pennkev mention this because others considering buying a set up might be reading this thread too.
jifigz
Moderator
On the Erie tribs, I have never felt under-gunned while using a 6 weight. I also wasn't real impressed with the entire Erie experience, but that is a different matter altogether.
wildtrout2
Well-known member
Is it similar to Opening Day on a stocked stream?
jifigz
Moderator
When I was there in the fall, it was pretty crowded. When I have been there in March, it wasn't too bad. I have had better fishing overall in March, although most of the time on the water I couldn't feel my fingers.
The things I don't like about it are as follows: The streams have a strange characteristic, and you can tell they are not high quality streams. That may not bother people, but to me, it adds to the "manufactured" feel of the fishery. The second part of it I don't like is the manufactured feel of the fishery. At times, without a good push of rain, it can be hard to say where the fish are and how far up they have made it. In low water, it leaves guys crowding the "holes" and then yes, it does feel like an opening day stocked trout type of situation. The third thing I didn't like about it was that I feel the fish didn't fight very hard. Maybe it is because I have caught the majority of mine in the super cold, but I wasn't impressed.
I will go back because it is a break from the usual and it is a cool "guys' trip," but I find better overall fishing experiences where I live.
I am by no means a steelhead expert. I have only been there three times, but those are my observations.
rustbeltwilds
Active member
Lol the reason alot of them dont fight all too well from like now to april...they have been caught repeately and havent actively fed since leaving the lake...been fishin steel since early 90s ...not so much in the lasy decade though... for reasons also mentioned by jifigz..... just took me 20 years to see what a artificial fishery it is.... but to each his own. Id rather chase wild fish in there natural places.. not drainage ditches lol
