winter tying

[JimB]

anyone tying new flies? I was looking for a good crawfish pattern, somethng easy that won't hang up.

[Lance]

I've been tying a few here and there mostly steelhead flies. I plan on really getting rolling this week, just finished up moving my fly tying stuff back into my area so it's going to be a lot easier to tie now. Hopefully I can get my steelhead stuff done by March so I can focus on trout flies.

As far as crayfish patterns go, that's not something I've tied alot of. Have you tried using a heavy mono loop over the hook gap? Is there a particular pattern you tie? I've got a number of patterns I just never tie them.

[jdchaff]

I ve been tying alot of trout flies in this winter. i going to start fishing the clear fork after the steelhead season is over. I have my steelhead boxes full.

[JimB]

Actually last year I spun some wool on a long hook which gave a pretty cool craw imitaiton, clouser weight in front and a strip of wool cut in half for the pinchers (imagination). Trout flies I'm doing a lot of squirel nymps.

Hey all you steelhead people what's a good rod and reel combo? I'm thinking 8wt. and something on the (hate to say it) cheap side.

[Lance]

I'm on the cheap side also for the rod. I like my 9 1/2' 7/8wt St. Croix. For $85 it's a GREAT rod! The reel was a bit more, I have an Orvis Battenkill with the disc drag. I've heard good things about some of the entry level disc drag Cabela's reels. Used one once and they seemed well made, may want to look into those. I'd definitely get something with a disc drag though. For steel it's better to spend the extra money there than the rod. Figure on an 8 floating weight forward line for Ohio and PA. Some people like bass tapers also, the main thing is extra line weight to the front to help roll the added weight of split shot and heavy flies.

Some guys will go lighter and you can get away with a 6wt if your good but when it gets to late April and the waters getting warmer I'd rather get them landed a little quicker than really stress them out because I'm using too lite of a rod.

[JimB]

Where in Ohio can you go (I'm in Cincinnati) and do you need a guide if fist time out?

[Lance]

There are lots of places to fish steel here with great river acces. East of Cleveland, there's the Chagrin and Grand rivers and Conneaut creek. To the west there's the Rocky and Vermillion river.

As far as needing a guide. Not really unless you've never done any nymph or streamer fishing then it might be helpful. There is an excellent book by John Nagy that outlines access points and techniques. After that it's just a matter of learning to read the water to locate the fish. Depending on when you make the trip up someone from here may even be able to meet you up here. I get out more on weekdays in the spring because of commitments for family and dog trials but will get out on some weekend days.

Zing something out here when you get the bug to go!