River Salmon / Steelhead in OH??

[DigDoug]

All,

We just got back from NW MI last week on the Pere Marquette fishing for Kings. Successful Trip, What a blast! Over 20 Kings caught between 4 guys 15 - 20+ lbs in 3 days.

Anyway, I wanted to maybe schedule a trip later this fall or in the spring that is closer than the 7 hour drive to MI. Anyone know of Salmon / Steelies in rivers in OH? I guess there's a salmon run near Cleveland, but I'm not sure how good it is?? Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Doug

[brian]

Chagrin and Grand Rivers have good Steelhead, Conneaut Creek also. They are starting right now, although I think we need some more rain to get the good runs up the creeks. They will be in the streams until Easter. The ODNR website has good info. I dont think there is any run of salmon in erie tribs in OH. There are some salmon in Erie but not a high enough number to target. Check out this site for stream and fishingreports, a lot of it is for Pennsylvania streams but there is also info about Conneaut creek. http://www.fishusa.com/fisherie/www.fishusa.com/fisherie/

[Lance]

The only salmon you'll find in the Ohio and PA tribs at this point are strays, but every year a few turn up. The STEELHEAD on the other hand are GREAT! Ohio stocks 400,000 fish split between the Vermillion, Rocky, Chagrin, Grand Rivers and Conneaut creek. about 90,000 in each of the rivers and the Connie gets about 50,000 from Ohio and another 30-40k from PA.

The Ohio fish are a different strain(Little Manistee) than the PA fish and are a much stronger spring run fish where PA has a stronger fall run but you can find fish in both states from October through the end of April. I spend a fair amount of time on the east side tribs and on into PA. I'll help you with any info I can! :)

[MUZZY MAN]

W/o buying a bunch of new equipment. I can fish for Steelhead with my old Eagle Claw fly rod and Martin reel?

[Lance]

The short answer is more than likely yes but it really depends on line weight. As long as it's at least a 6 wt the rod dhould be able to handle it. As for the Martin reel, how well it will manage the fish will depend on which reel it is. If it has an exposed rim so you can palm the reel for drag you should be able to use it. if it's like my old martin with the spool inside the frame you will probably have some trouble managing the fish with it unless your really adept to being able to apply some drag to the system somewhere else.

Is it the ideal set-up no, does it have to be? absolutely not!

[MUZZY MAN]

Can't you "pull" the line and not use the reel to crank? I've done this with trout before. And thanks for the info Lance. Ive never done this type of fishing before.

[Lance]

You can to a degree but it's more difficult with these guys. You expect the strength out of a fish the size of steel but the speed that goes along with them is the added zinger. You can retrieve by hand but you've got be able to give them line but still keep some pressure on them to slow them down abit or you'll be down into your backing rather quickly on any of the bigger stretches of water. You don't stop them on a run just try to slow them down sooner than later.

[MUZZY MAN]

I'll have to dig out my reel and see if it's how you describe.

[DigDoug]

Brian and Lance,

Thanks for the information. I tied a bunch of streamers, clousers, double bunnies, and deceivers for MI. The current was too strong and deep where we fished for fly fishing. Hopefully I can use these flies in OH or PA.

Lance, I know you chase ruffies too. There were a ton of RG near where we fished. Next year, the trip will be a Salmon / Grouse combo. I'll bring my 2 Brittanies. I didn't realize it,but I could possibly be one buck away from the royal McNabb (salmon, grouse, buck in same day).

Muzzy Man,
You can get a great deal on E-bay on some fly reels with good drag systems if you keep an open eye. I think I got my new redington to match an 8 wt rod for around $50 - 60, this is a $150+ reel.

Doug

[Lance]

We tried to do the cast and blast thing a couple times up in the U.P. but it just wasn't a very practical thing to do. Due to my job at the time we were in between the bulk of the salmon and the steelhead so between the low numbers of fish and the distance were were covering to bird hunt everyday we just gave up on the fish. I may try it again next year aroung grayling and opt for stream trout instead of salmon to complete the mix.

Add some nymphs in the #10-#16 range to that mix and you'll rocking and rolling up here.

Muzzy,

IF you end up deciding you want to check into a new rig let me know. I may have some options for you also. I've got a web based fly shop I'm growing. I'm very big on not selling someone something they don't need and I don't EVER want it to look like I'm answering a question to drive a sale. It's more important to me to make sure I'm giving people the help they need. Nothing aggravates me more than when the guys giving advice on websites and in shops when they don't seem to get that sometimes people have to stick to a budget or try to push you to something you don't need or want. Eventually when I get the website to where you can make purchases I'll pay a sponsor to the Ohiosportsman site and the url will be in my signature but that's about all the more promotion you'll probably ever see from me in this forum.

[MUZZY MAN]

That's pretty cool Lance. I can't do anything about new new equipment now. I'm so broke it aint funny. I may try my stuff.(what's the worse that could happen) Look forward to your site also. And thanks for the education.

[Lance]

Whenever you get around to making a trip up this way. If I'm free I'd be more than happy to get you headed in the right direction!