    
noodlebagger
Unregistered guest
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2001 - 3:12 pm: | |
Subject: Lake Erie Steelheading
There's nothing like a little snow to extend the season. We've gone from water temperatures in the 70's back down to the 40's in a matter of days. All of the streams were fishing well last week and this weekend with plenty of spawning, drop backs and fresh fish throughout the rivers. This latest flooding and lower temperatures have the potential of extending our steelheading into early May.
The Rocky River was high and muddy with water color about a 2 on the color chart. For the most part, Rocky is unfishable for a few days. The Chagrin River came up as well with water color approximately a 5 on the color chart. Surprisingly, fish were being caught on the Chagrin despite the higher waters. I saw a good number of fish trying to jump the dam in the few minutes I spent at Danial's Park. It appeared fish were holding in the shallower areas near the banks. The Grand River is stained and marginally fishable in some areas. With color about an 8 on the color chart, the Grand will vary depending on where you try to fish. After nearly 24 hours of consistent rain, it was still fishable in the extreme upper and lower sections on Monday. Ashtabula River and Conneaut Creek have both been spared a great deal of the recent precipitation. Although levels are up, both can be fished if you do a little research and find the right water. Elk Creek and Walnut Creek are both reported to be high and muddy. Don't let this discourage you, however, since higher conditions on these creeks can mean dynamite action.
If you are targeting spawning fish, be a sportsman and do it right. Foul hooking fish is not only "cheesy" it's illegal.
Swinging streamers and woolly buggers is still the most consistently productive method to catch steelhead right now. Whether you are fly fishing or bait casting, consider losing "bobbers" (strike indicators) and stick with flies. You will find bait less and less productive when compared with flies.
Keep focused on faster water with some depth during brighter-light conditions. (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM) Watch for activity on gravel to increase closer to sunrise and sunset. Visit Noodlebagger.com For More Steelheading Info
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