Thinking about Steel …

[JG63]

That’s all

 

[bigslackwater]

Same here. Hoping we get good rain and flows this fall.

 

[dudemanspecial]

Every year I get excited about it. Then when it finally happens, the crowds quickly remind me why I only make 1 or 2 trips a year.

 

[JG63]

Every year I get excited about it. Then when it finally happens, the crowds quickly remind me why I only make 1 or 2 trips a year.

Agreed!

 

[dryflyguy]

Every year I get excited about it. Then when it finally happens, the crowds quickly remind me why I only make 1 or 2 trips a year.

I hear ya
With me, its takes several years now, before I'll get some urge to give it a go again

 

[dudemanspecial]

I hear ya
With me, its takes several years now, before I'll get some urge to give it a go again

Last time I went I got there before dawn on New Years Eve. Walked down in the dark, got my spot on a 15 x 4 foot long slot amongst a large stretch of ankle deep shale water. As soon as it was light out, a young man popped out of the woods above me and drifted his centerpin rig right in front of me through the run.

When I get high holed on a trout stream I usually just say "plenty of water" and walk away, but I lost my cool with this kid and started screaming at him. As I berated him he never said a word or even looked at me. Reeled his pin rig up and dropped below me like I wasn't even there.

 

[jifigz]

Every year I get excited about it. Then when it finally happens, the crowds quickly remind me why I only make 1 or 2 trips a year.

Crowds aren't bad in March, and that is when I have experienced my best steelhead fishing.

 

[dudemanspecial]

Crowds aren't bad in March, and that is when I have experienced my best steelhead fishing.

I am back in trout mode by then (I'll trout fish all winter usually if the conditions are good enough) but maybe ill have to give it a try this year, I have never steelheaded that late. It's only a 2.5 hr drive for me.

 

[Solitariolupo]

Aren’t they running yet.

 

[CRB]

NO, has not rained for 3 weeks.

 

[Trapshooter]

Lake Eire is down a 1-1/2 feet since last fall. Traditionally the lake drops a foot in the fall every year. We would need a ton of rain to get it up.

 

[JG63]

Last time I went I got there before dawn on New Years Eve. Walked down in the dark, got my spot on a 15 x 4 foot long slot amongst a large stretch of ankle deep shale water. As soon as it was light out, a young man popped out of the woods above me and drifted his centerpin rig right in front of me through the run.

When I get high holed on a trout stream I usually just say "plenty of water" and walk away, but I lost my cool with this kid and started screaming at him. As I berated him he never said a word or even looked at me. Reeled his pin rig up and dropped below me like I wasn't even there.

I may have waded out and spooled his rig for him - he’d have a good fight on his hands if he tried to reel me in 🥳

 

[drakeking412]

I too can’t wait to fish extremely low water with 3747582253 of my closest friends. Erie is a joke anymore, guys staking out spots at 3am and making fires to stay warm waiting for first light. That being said I do get excited to fish and quickly remember why I only go once a year anymore.

 

[bingsbaits]

First reports are already hitting Fakebook. A few caught at Walnut.

 

[rancid waders]

I have found fish as early as the last week of September

 

[CRB]

First reports are already hitting Fakebook. A few caught at Walnut.

I've targeted/landed fish off the beaches and in some of the tributaries as early as August 8th during a cold summer.

This is the time they sTart putting their noses into some of the tribs with water but stream temps are high. After remnants of a tropical storm or hurricane blows through with water and cooling is when to target in August. The bigger runs will happen usually Late September(water and Temp dependent) - Mid October.
But, remember the fish are in the Lake and are more numerous off shore by the mouths waiting for the optimal time to run up the tributary. Cool Lake water temps off shore will keep them there. South light breezes are optimal times to fish from shore before the sun hits the water.

 

[Mashbill]

Cold Steel! Starting to think about egg patterns & emerald shiner streamers - but just thinking — too lazy right now to tie!