Fall Steel

[Lance]

Though fall fish aren't as thick as the spring, they're coming up all the usual tribs. When the water comes down it will be time to start hitting the rivers a bit!

[Papa Smurf]

I'm looking forward to this. Being from the Toledo area, I've never caught a steelhead before. Thanks to the people on this site, I think I've gathered enough info. to figure out the techniques.

I did an exploratory mission yesterday to scout the Rocky River. Most of the water in the Metropark area appeared low enough to wade (Rocky River Reservation). Lots of people fishing but I didn't see any full stringers. Is it proper procedure to put such a noble creature on a stringer, like we do here in walleye land, or are you supposed to use a creel?

How far up the Rocky do the fish migrate? Are they able to jump the dam just downstream from the Metropark golf course?

Am I better off wading the Rocky or should I launch my canoe at the Metropark boat launch?

I plan on a trip next Wednesday or Thursday and hope to land my first steelie. Thanks to all who gave me tips already.

[scott trout]

they dont even deserve a stringer , just throw them on the shore!!!(or practice c&r like me) you dont need a canoe. just a pair of waders. i will be down there all week so if you want to catch some steelies send me an email and i would be glad to show you how its done. the first one is the hardest. after that its all down hill. i fished the river yesterday and caught a nice 10 lb male. the fish will migrate all the way up to the berea falls.i have some nice spots that i can almost guarentee that youll get into one!!!! portmanpimp@aol.com

scott

[Papa Smurf]

Thanks for the offer Scott. I'll send you an email if I can get enough advance notice of when I'm coming out. Between my job and activities that the kids are in, I usually end up not knowing when I'm going fishing until the last second!

People seem to have a love-hate relationship with this fish when it comes to the topic of eating. Some people get pretty excited about their steelhead recipes; others wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot fork. Are they really that bad? I've had rainbow trout baked with almonds before and thought it was pretty good. Do steelhead taste much different than regular rainbows?

[Lance]

The biggest problem is they're kind of greasy and VERY fishy tasting once the get up around 25" or better. The 18-20" fish are ok. I usually keep a couple of those a year for my dad and a friend.

[scott trout]

THERE GOOD SMOKED. I DONT HAVE A SMOKER SO I TURN THEM LOSE . EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE OF FEMALES THAT I RAPE FOR THERE EGGS. THERE IS NO BETTER STEELHEAD BAIT BETTER THEN FRESH STEELHED EGGS.

[Papa Smurf]

Thanks for the info guys.

A local bait shop recommended artificial eggs due to their durability over natural so I bought some green anise scented ones. They told me to bounce them along the bottom just like I was fishing natural eggs. Do these work or did I make a mistake?

[scott trout]

I HAVENT HAD MUCH IF ANY SUCCESS WITH THEM . USE JIG AND MAGGOTS TILL YOU GET A FEMALE.I DONT CURE MY EGGS I JUST TIE WHAT I NEED FOR THE DAY INTO SACKS AND FREEZE THE REST.YOU DONT NEED TO CURE THEM.

[Predator]

Scott from your last post, it seems that you need to put more challange into the fishing. Take it to the next level the fly rod.:D

[scott trout]

YA I WOULD LIKE TO GET A FLY ROD. I DONT KNOW ANYONE WHO FLY FISHES , SO TO TELL YOU TRUTH I DONT KNOW THAT MUCH ABOUT IT.

[Lance]

Do you ever get to the east side? I mainly fish weekday mornings/early afternoons through the fall/winter and could help you with the fly rod if you'd like. I don't fish weeknds till grouse season is over.

[scott trout]

shure sounds good, what about some grouse hunting too? i got a gordon setter thats raring to go.

[Lance]

Gordon's are nice looking dogs. I'll have to see how my weekend time falls for a grouse trip.

[Lunker]

Is there any left???