Steelhead and Brown Trout on the Fly (12/3/16 - 12/4/16)

[JDTuna]

Decided to do something completely different this weekend, and I headed to the Lake Erie tributaries to fish with a NS guide and target steelhead and brown trout on the fly. Prior to the trip, I had very little experience fly fishing so I thought it would be a blast to give it a shot. The heavy rain/sleet/snow from Wednesday to Friday meant the larger rivers would be blown out and we would fish smaller creeks.

Saturday 12/3/16:

Arrived in the dark and walked down a steep hill to arrive at the first spot. We had to wsit for daylight to begin fishing, which was agonizing knowing there were fish sitting in the small pool at our feet and not being able to fish for them.

Once we had enough daylight, I began casting. It didnt take long, and I hooked a fish a few minutes later. The fish hugged the bottom and unfortunately the hooked pulled after a few seconds. No big deal. A few casts later I hooked up. The fish went nuts, bulldogging and tearing around the pool. A few minutes later, I landed my first steelhead on the fly: a pretty 10lb fish.



It didnt take long to hook up again and I quickly landed a feisty 5lber. I continued to fish the pool, and after a couple of casts I got hit and set the hook into a bigger fish. The steelhead immediately raced for the surface, jumping and thrashing and tearing around the small pool. In the midst of the fish's wild antics, the net was slipped under the beautiful 12lb steelhead.



The bite slowed, and with steelhead checked off the list we went on the search for a brown trout. Hit a few spots, but the water was still dirty from the rain and we only managed one more strike. Ended the day at the first spot, and hooked one more steelhead that pulled the hook.

Sunday 12/4/16:

I had planned on fishing a half day before the long drive home. We met up at the first spot we started at on Saturday, but there was already someone fishing that hole, so we made our way to another hole. Right off the bat I got tight to a steelhead, but the hook ended up pulling. The guy at the first spot had left, so we set up shop there. I hooked up in no time, and the fish shot out of the hole and ran downstream like it was shot out of a cannon. When the fish was netted, I was surprised how small it was. The fish was probably about 3lbs, but as chrome bright as they come.



After I landed another about the same size and foul hooked a fish that pulled off in the same hole, the bite slowed again. The water clarity had improved, so we decided to resume the pursuit of a big brown trout.

We fished down a stretch of river without seeing much in the way of fish or hits. As time went on, it began to look like a brown on the fly would not be in the cards this trip. We got to the last area we were going to fish and began to work it over. All of a sudden, my indicator slipped beneath the surface, I set the hook, and the rod bent in half. A large brown trout in the 8lb range rolled and flashed it's side...and the hook pulled. My heart sank as I was convinced that was my only shot at a big brown this trip. It was almost 12 and we were going to have to call it quits soon. I continued to to fish while the proverbial hour glass was running out of sand. My indicator slipped below the surface again and I instinctively set the hook, half expecting to be snagged. The rod bent in half, and I felt movement on the other end...this was no snag! The fish rolled on top, and it's big broad tail broke the surface. It was another monster brown...even bigger than the first. The fight was tense, as the fish managed to deftly avoid the net. After a few minutes, the big brown was finally netted. The fish was a monster brown over 10lbs...easily my personal best and my first on a fly. After a quick picture, the fish swam away and disappeared back into the creek. We called it a day after the 11th hour monster brown.

[njflyfisher]

Great trip man I'm jealous

[Chrisper4694]

That's considered a stream in other states? Hahaha! Nj fishing is great for variety, but damn I need to travel more!

[Jigman13]

Bucket list year, Justin. Very nice!

[MudCat08]

Beautiful fish! Catching all those fish this year, getting it done!

[23cardinal]

Beautiful work! Sounds like a blast!
I wanna work in my fly so I can get in up there. I'm more than a little jealous.

[NJSquatch]

Very Nice....

What are you doing for an encore?

[Fly_Dan]

Great stuff

[reely]

nice

[Delawareriver]

Awesome, you must have hit it right as the low clear water has made for tough fishing out there but that water is perfect for good action! Love the erie tribs lots and lots of fish. 10-12 lb fish arnt very common out there so definitely something to be very proud of!