Steelhead Alley-03-07-2018

Stream Fished: Steelhead Alley

Date: 03-07-2018

Angler Name: Randy Rowe

Angler Age: 65+

Angler Home: Wooster OH

Fishing Tackle: Fly Fishing

Fish Caught: Steelhead

Steelhead Caught: 5

Comments: Harry Hoitink and I fished a NE Ohio Lake Erie tributary yesterday from 10:30am to 4:30pm. Water was a beautiful green color with ~2ft visibility and 38F temperature. The river was fast flowing and a bit high, but very fishable. We consistently caught fish all day, though the bite was on and off. Most fish were taken on egg patterns of pink, light orange, or mixed off-white and pale colors. I started with a bright yellow/orange egg pattern, but soon found the more subtle colors worked better in this water. I landed 5 steelhead for 14 hook-ups (poor landing percentage today!), including a large one I had on for nearly 5 minutes that made several long runs and finally pulled off. Harry did much better, with 10 landed for 12 hook-ups. A few were fresh skippers under 2lbs, but most were in the 3-7lb range. Fish ranged from chromers fresh from the Lake, to many that were well colored and had obviously been in the river for some time. Air temps were in the high 30s with a few heavy snow squalls, so it was challenging. Proper dress is essential this time of year.