Serving  all of "Steelhead Alley" in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York     Turkey Creek Oh, Conneaut Creek Oh, Grand River Oh, Chagrin River Oh,  Rocky River Oh,  Vermillion River Oh,  Twenty mile Creek Pa,  16 mile Creek Pa,  12 Mile Creek Pa,  7 Miile Creek  Pa,  Walnut Creek Pa,  Elk Creek Pa,  Crooked Creek Pa,  Racoon Creek Pa,   Cattaraugus Creek NY,   Zoar Valley south branch,  Clear Creek NY,   Canadaway Creek NY,  Silver Creek NY,  Chataqua Creek NY,                      WE GO WHERE THE FISH ARE....................... 

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Call 330-565-5457 

e-mail us at

dfishinfool@aol.com

Dfishinfool's fly shop click here

Western Steelhead alley Map

Google Map of Cleveland Ohio

Central Steelhead Alley Map

Google Map of  North East Ohio

Eastern Steelhead Alley Map

Look for this symbol

make sure your fishing with a Steelhead Alley Pro

Honesty is our number one priority at Steelheadschool.com 

We know most people are smart enough to spot a fake or a liar.  Before you book a trip with any Steelhead Alley Guide ask them how many years they have been fishing Ohio. If they are honest you might be surprised by the answer. Anybody can be a internet hero and since you don't need a license to guide Ohio.  Out of state guides are flocking to the area to make a quick buck. Our team of guides have been fishing Ohio and the rest of Steelhead alley our whole lives.  We want lifelong customers. We strive to exceed our guests expectations.  Our guarantee is simple. If your not 100% satisfied with anything we do contact us.  If we can't make it right. We will give you a full refund. No questions asked.

The original

"Steelhead School" 

 Since 2001

Nov 6th, 7th, and 8th 2009

Often imitated but never duplicated.  We have over 150 satisfied Graduates thru the years. It is a three day adventure into the world of fishing Steelhead Alley.  Our team of local steelhead pro's teach you everything you need to know to be a successful steelhead angler. It also includes a nine hour tour of the hot spots on the streams. We will cover, When to fish where, knots, rigging terminal tackle, leader construction, fly selection, reading water, fighting fish,  spin, fly, spey and cenerpinn techniques plus thee hours of hands on fly tying.  All you will need are an Ohio fishing license and a pair of chest high waders. . The weekend is value priced at $350 per angler and included in the price is two nights lodging. Contact Don at 330-565-5457 for more nfo.

 

Bill Rusinko at Realistics Taxidermy is the only one I will trust with my trophy fish,  He lives in Michigan's UP and he is an expert at correctly painting our great lakes species.

 

Blog's from the Alley's  Steelheader's

 

This link takes you to Greg Lum's blog.  Greg is a good friend of mine and an expert with the center pin.  He is on the river almost every day and his reports are funny but accurate.

 

Bob Williams blog is full of good info and stream reports.

 

 

www.inthedrift.blogspot.com/

Mike Engelhardt's Blog is packed with great photography and stories of his adventures.

 

Ohio DNR Info

OH Fishing Report

Ohio Steelhead Fishing

Ohio Steelhead Info

 

 

The Best informational book on fishing "Steelhead Alley"

 

John Nagy has updated his great book on Lake Erie Steelhead fishing.

 

County Visitors Bureau's

Dfishinfool's Guide Service is a proud members of the Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Their website lists local attractions, the areas fine wineries, hotels and other information on the area.

 

Our Team of Guides have the required permits to Guide on Lorain County Metro-Parks property. Lorain County is host to some beautiful well appointed parks.

 

Dfishinfool's Guide Service is a proud members of the Lake County Visitors Bureau

 

 

Helpful links on rigging your spinning outfit for Steelhead

We trust quality RedWing floats and terminal tackle on our guided trips

Here is a great link from Redwing Tackle on rigging up your Spin or Pin outfit

 

 

Team Member Guide Websites

DDon Mathews and Dfishinfool.com have been your Source for Steelhead Alley info since 1997

 

www.extremesteelheading.com

Jeff Novak's website.  Jeff travels the Great Lakes Guiding Anglers.

 

Guide and Commercial fly tier Mark DeFranks website. Mark will tie your custom flies.  From Trout to Tarpon their the place to call.

 

Guide Dick Keagy is a true OhioSteelheader check out his website

 

www.fishwithtrout.com

Guide Travis McAllisters website. 

 

 

Ben's Bait and Tackle Garden River Ontario

 

ATTN:  Clubs, Trout Unlimited Chapters, Sports Shops

We have put together a great Power Point Presentation on Fishing "steelhead Alley" its not just a bragging guide with a bunch of big fish pictures.  We have put together an informative lesson on steelheading.  It contains many tips we have learned in our 10 year history of Guiding Steelhead Alley.   The principals we show you can be applied to many other fisheries. We offer this presentation at a very reasonable cost of $100 plus our fuel expenses.  We have a high Definition Power Point projector all we need is a screen or blank wall and a group of fishermen.  Feel free to contact Don at 330-565-5457 to set up a date for your club meeting.

 

Area Fishing Clubs

Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders

Pennsylvania Steelhead Association

3 c u Trout Association

North West Pa Trout Unlimited

SONS of Lake Erie Club (save our native species)

Neshannock Trout Unlimited

Emerald Necklace Trout unlimited Cleveland OHF

Firelands Fly Fishers

North Branch Boys Fly Fishing Club Toledo Oh

North Coast Fly Fishers

Tri County Trout Club

 

Other Great Clubs

Buckeye United Fly Fishermen

Derby City Fly Fishers

Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers

Bluegrass Trout Unlimited

Louisville Trout Unlimited

 

"Steelhead Alley"

Steelhead Facts

All of our streams in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York hold fish during the winter months December- March 

MOST YEARS ALL OF OUR STREAMS FREEZE OVER IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

New York Steelhead fishing is best in October thru December but most years the Cattaraugus Creek s the first stream to get a run of fish

Pennsylvania Steelhead fishing peaks in November and December but gets runs as early as September.  They are the most heavily stocked streams on "Steelhead Alley" and hold the most fish per square mile.

Ohio Steelhead fishing starts in October and lasts until early May.  Ohio streams are usually fish the best in the spring.

After Fishing

Biscotti Family Winery 440-593-5403

Buccia Vineyards 440-593-5976

Popular local winery..!!Debonne Vineyards 440-466-3485

Emerine Estates 440-293-8199

**Fool's Favorite Great food**  Ferrante Winery 440-466-8466

Fools wife's Favorite Grand River Cellars 440-298-9838

Harpersfield Vineyard 440-466-4739

Laurello Vineyard 440-415-0661

Markko Vineyard 440-593-3197

Great place..!!  Old Firehouse Winery 440-466-9300

** Great Wine live music **  Old Mill Winery 440-466-5560

  **  My Favorite wines **  South River Vineyard 440-466-6676

Tarsito Winery 440-224-2444

Lakehouse Winery 440-466-8668

Variant Family Winery 440-466-1314

 

Area Rental Homes

Conneaut

Orange Street Rentals in Conneaut Ohio rents out a nice home in a quite neighborhood minutes from Conneaut Creek. 440-593-4546

Painesville Area

Fairport Harbor Rental Home for very large Groups. 8 BR Sleeps 20.  Vey Nice views of lake 440-773-2741

Fairport Harbor Cottage Sleeps 6 with nice Lakefront views. 440-773-2741

 

Our Favorite Lake Erie Charter Boats

If you want to catch a bunch of Perch without spending a bundle.  Check out the Edward John head boat out of Erie Pa. Just $28 for adults..!! Call 814-883-7622

My Time Too Charters

Capt George Neil runs a 30' Baha out of Ashtabula Harbor  He will put you on the fish 330-637-0989

 

Capt Don  lives right on the water in Fairport Harbor.  His boat an gear are first class 216-337-1208

 

Capt Ray Clark runs out of Ashtabula Ohio in a 30' Baha Give him a call for some hog eyes and perch. 440-241-2214

 

Procaster Charters

Everybody tells me Capt Gary Raymond catches fish when no one else does 440-964-7594

 

Lake Ontario Charters

If your looking for some huge Lake Ontario Browns and Salmon I would call Capt Brian Edwards and Fatal Attraction Charters out of Sodus Bay in Fair Haven NY   315-754-8914

Guides We Recommend

If your ever fishing in central Kentucky look up are friends at Cumberland Drifters for a great float trip

 

If your looking for a guided trip on the Mighty Muskegon or the surrounding Michigan Streams give Chad Betts a call at 231-652-3189

John Valk runs Grindstone Angling .  They are located in South Central Ontario Canada. I have used John as a guide in the past.  He is pleasant and nice to fish with. I highly recommend John as your guide if you travel to the area.  Grindstone Angling also has a very nice flyshop.

 

A neat new concept in floats. 

 

More great websites by local steelheaders

If your from Cleveland you know who D'Arcy Egan is.  They have a great website and TV show.

 

The Great Lakes Steelhead Chronicles: A Guide's Eye View of a World Class Fishery

The Great Lakes Steelhead Chronicles provides an overview of the developing Great Lakes steelhead fishery through the eyes of local outfitters and guides.

Topics include:

• The Lakes, Fish, and Rivers

• Fly Fishing Heritage

• Steelhead Culture

• Fishing Techniques and Flies

• Economic Value

• Environmental Issues

Featuring top Great Lakes area anglers Jerry Darkes, Kevin Feenstra, Rick Kustich, Bob Linsenman, Ray Schmidt

 

 

 

 

 

 

No B.S. Ohio fishing reports and Pennsylvania fishing reports compliments of licensed professional Steelhead fishing guide, Don Mathews and the team of guides at Steelheadschool.com

3-09-09  Ohio Steelhead Fishing Report   We received almost two inches of rain at my house Sunday.  All of the streams on Steelhead Alley are unfishable today.  There are flood warnings out in most of the lake shore Counties.  More rain is forecasted for today and tomorrow.  It will be Thursday or Friday before were fishing again.  On a positive note these warm rains should have some fresh run Ohio Manistee strain fish entering our streams.  We have guides available for this weekend and it looks like the fishing will be good.

3-07-09 Trout sent me this nice pic taken in Ohio

3-08-09  Ohio Steelhead Fishing Report    Met up with Brandon, Mike, and Chester from Kentucky.  They had to head home today but wanted to get in some morning action before they left.  We started before daylight on skinny water in Ohio and I was worried the stream might have blown out from the over night rains.  We were surprised to find an empty parking lot and the stream in decent shape but rising quickly  We hit a few right off the bat but the water conditions turned sour fast.  About 8:30 I ran into a friend who was coming from lower Conneaut and reported it was blown out.  The heaviest overnight rainfall had hit south of the lake.  Jeff reported upper Connie in Pa was a mess and he was calling it a day.  Greg and the guys were out about in Cleveland but his phone took a dive and I didn't hear from him.  We finally gave in to the rising Skinny water at about 9:30 and I headed for the Grand.  When I pulled in there was a heavy crowd and a guy was fighting a fish but the stream looked like Chocolate milk and I was fly fishing so I called it a day and headed home.  I spent this afternoon tying tube flies.  Tube flies have developed quite a following lately.  I'm a hard head and I'm not sold on the whole tube idea yet. I have had some success with tubes but I have a hard time making them small enough for my liking.  I came up with a couple of tiny tube patterns today to try out as soon as the water comes down but it may be awhile before I can get them wet.  The rain never let up today and It ain't looking good for the next few days.  I'll keep you posted..  Good Fishin..!!  Don

3-07-09 Jim with a Ohio hog caught on a #14 nymph

   3-07-09 Ohio steelhead fishing report   My phone rang off the hook today.  All the guys were out fishing today.  Greg Lum and friends started on the Grand,  Jeff started on upper Conneaut,  Trout's guys started on Skinny water,  Brandon and Crew started on lower Connie, Dick hit the Elk, Tim was on skinny water,  Steve was on the upper Chagrin and I hit Skinny water with Jim from Texas and Dewey from KY.  Great thing was everybody that called as catching fish today..!!  Networking together with such a talented group of fishermen make's life a whole lot easier when your a steelhead guide on the alley. 

3-07-09 Trout knew where this one is hiding

3-07-09 Travis with a nice Ohio buck on the fly

I was amazed how quick the ice melted.  Look at the pics from Thursday.  You could walk across the streams in places.  Today all of the ice was gone and the water temps got up near 40*.  AND the fish were hot..!!  We did very good today on the fly rods.  The Skinny water we fished was very low and clear.  I normally would have floated the Grand on a day like today but Jim is a new transplant from Texas and he wanted to learn some spots he could walk in and fish. To be successful today we had to go stealth.  #14 sucker spawn with #14 golden nuggets and Yellow sally's were what the fish wanted.  If we tried anything bright and flashy they scattered and swam circles. Black stones were hatching everywhere and this years crop of bugs seem to be larger than usual. 

3-07-09 Dewey with a nice Ohio hen Steelhead on the fly

3-06-09  Ohio and Pennsylvania Steelhead Fishing Report  I knew most of the smaller streams would still be icey today so we chose to float the Grand River in Ohio. The water temp was much warmer on the Grand River and there wasn't even any side ice to deal with today.  We arrived at the boat ramp to find the Englehardt's from Pittsburgh launching their Claka-Craft drift boat.  Mike is a fishery biologist and we have fished before in the past several times over the years. The whole Englehardt family are diehard fishermen. They spend much of their fall swinging flies on the Catt and the fish they catch in SE Pa are very impressive.  Mike has a great blog if you have never checked it out. www.inthedrift.blogspot.com/    We found a moderate crowd at the river this morning.  Our plan was to hang out in the upper river for a few hours.  Brandon Wade and the guys from Cumberland drifters guide service in Lexington KY were on their way up and we wanted to hook up and fish with them a bit before we took off down stream. . The day started off right and I hooked a nice fish on my second cast.  The Grand was flowing at about 300CFS and visibility was about 30 inches.  We never got out of the boat to fish today.  It was a scouting mission and we wanted to hit as many spots as possible.  We did well and hit fish in all the usual places and we found several new interesting changes in the river.  We didn't find very many fresh ones today. Most were big well colored males in excellent shape.  Thy survived the winter without any harm. We put 18 in the net which is quite good considering we were fishing the Grand River and we had to fight all the fish back to the boat to net them.  We hit the fish on both bait and flies.  #14 yellow sally BH behind a #14 sucker spawn was he hot fly setup.  On the spinning rod menu it was egg sacs and waxies on chartreuse jigs. I had buddies out on Conneaut, Chagrin, Vermillion and the ditches today.  The ice is melting unbelievably quick and most everywhere should be open to fish tomorrow.  All of our guides will be out tomorrow and I'll try to post a report in the evening.  Good Fishin.!!  Don

3-06-09 Don with a Grand River Ohio float trip steelhead

3-06-09 Trout shows off a grand River Steelhead on the fly

3-06-09 Brandon with a nice fresh hen in Ohio

3-06-09 Trout with a Grand River Ohio Steelhead

3-05-09 Thursday Ohio and Pa steelhead fishing report  I start today's report on a very sad note.  Jimmy Dallas has passed away.  Jimmy was a dear friend to all Erie steelheaders.  Countless people me included have him to thank for a great day of steelheading.   He has been involved with our steelhead program and 3 CU's since I was in diapers.  I only got to know him in his later years at PASA meetings.  Many days he could  be seen just walking the Pennsylvania streams BSing about steelhead.  He was a wise man and knew more about steelhead than just about anybody I know.  I sure hope they got steelhead in heaven.   Our prayers are with his family.

The last two days of single digit temps took its tool on most of the streams on the alley.  There is open water here and there but many of the better holes that are holding fish are frozen over.  Saw quite a few guys out trying there luck today and undoubtedly many more will try to shake cabin fever this weekend. Hopefully tomorrows warm air temps will help things out.  Saw most of the smaller streams and Conneaut in Ohio today and they were unfishable.  Fished Elk Creek and did good considering much of the stream is still frozen.  Travis busted ice today in Ohio and got a few but he said he had to really work for them. We both thought most of the fish were under the side ice today. Greg hit the Rocky and found some open water. Grand has the most open water of all of the Ohio tribs.  With two foot plus vis its a good choice if you like the big water.  I'm going to float it in the morning.  Elk has lots of fish and a surprising amount of open water it's probably the best bet in the short term.  A box of five new 10 foot '7weight Scott A-3's was waiting for me tonight.  I tore it open like a five year old on Christmas morning. Everybody has been anxiously waiting for these rods.  Mine were on backorder for months.  Jeff raced over and we were casting them in the dark in my front yard tonight.  We like what we see so far. I' plan on getting it wet and bent tomorrow.. Jim has them in stock at Folly's End now.  Or at least he did earlier today.   Good Fishin..!!  Don

 3-05-09 Conneaut Creek in town

3-05-09 Elk at Uncle Johns

3-05-09 Walnut Project waters

302-09  Ohio and Pennsylvania Steelhead Fishing Report  I couldn't wait to get out steelheading after a long weekend of talking fishing at the show. When I got up this morning my thermometer said -4 degrees.  I didn't even have to drive to the stream to know it would be too slushy to fish. With open water on the big Lake even the warm water discharges weren't a good option.  So I must wait a few more days to get my fix. If the weatherman is right it looks like everything should be fishable by Thursday or Friday. I talked to Greg Lum a little while ago and he tells me the Chagrin is already getting heavy side Ice in places and the slush never burned off in the afternoon.

NOTE:  Don't forget your Ohio Fishing license has expired on 2-28...

3-01-09 Mark tying beautiful Woven Nymphs at our Jaffa Show booth

Since I couldn't get out fishing today, I worked on getting my tackle ready for the mayhem that is soon to come.  I would like to thank the good folks at Cortland lines for hooking me up..!! I am very pleased that Cortland has asked us to join their Guide program. We plan on switching over to Cortland fly lines on all of our guide outfits.  This morning I spooled up six of my steelhead fly fishing outfits with the new Cortland 555 High floating WF line with the Dyna Tip.  It is great line and I highly recommend it. We buy it in the Avocado color and find it to be very stealth on pressured steelhead.  The last few feet of line is a special high floating material called Dyna Tip and this section is a Sage color.  Over the years I have used fly lines from darn near all the leading manufacturers. In all honesty most of the lines I have tried cast great and work well when new.  BUT in my opinion Cortland lines by far outlast the competitors brands. They stay slick longer.. I have two Cortland lines that have seen three seasons of guide use and still have no cracks in them. Fishing icey slush filled streams is downright abusive to your fly line and cheap lines just don't last on the Alley. If your in the Market for a new fly line you can't go wrong with Cortland.

2-28-09  I grabbed a copy of the local newspaper (Altoona Mirror) this morning and there on the front page is a picture of Mark DeFrank tying flies in our show booth yesterday. Oh no, his head is going to get even bigger..LOL..Just kidding Marks awesome fly tying abilities are drawing attention everywhere he goes... I had a great day at the Altoona show today.  I was busy all day long.  Jeff was sick and couldn't make it.  Mark headed down near Morgantown WV to tie flies our friends at Nemacolin Woodlands booth. So I was by myself today.  It was a great turnout. I would like to thank the Shiners' for putting on a well put together show. I had heard they had over 8,000 through the door today.  I went through almost 900 flyers today..!!  What really amazed me was the number of steelheaders in the area.  At the Cleveland show a few weeks ago, I was sitting in a both less than a mile from prime Steelhead water on the Rocky River.  Yet only about one in ten guys polled had ever been steelhead fishing.  On the other hand at the Jaffa Show in Altoona you are close to four hours from a steelhead stream.  Amazingly about three out of four guys polled had been Steelheading and most of them had been up this year already.  I guess with Altoona being situated close to the Little J, Penns creek, Spring Creek and a host of other world class trout streams has something to do with the number of trout fishermen in Altoona. It was nice meeting so many of you today.  If your a first time visitor Welcome to our website..!!

2-28-09  Mark tying at the West Virginia show

2-27-09 Ohio steelhead fishing report   I'm heading out for the Jaffa Sports show in Altoona Pa this morning.  Sorry I didn't post a report the last couple of days.  I dodged all life responsibilities and went fishin..  We floated the Grand on Wednesday and had a nice day.  There was a lot of anchor ice coming off the bottom of the river so we battled slush until about 10:30.  We fished bait and the fishing picked up as the water temp rose. On Thursday I fished the Grand again until about noon when things turned to chocolate.  I took the spey rod. Hot fly was a big chartreuse green zonker.  I was running my handmade tungsten sink tips. Bob Williams was out guiding the last couple of days and they did good on the Grand river as well.  I look for it to be a blowout darn near everywhere tomorrow.  Some streams should start start to fish Sunday. Watch the flow gauges and catch them when they drop. Fishing will be great once things come down.  We have guides available every day.  Give me a call at 330-565-5457 and lets go fishin..!! Don

22-25-09  Loading up for a Grand River Ohio float trip

2-25-09  Here I am with a nice winter buck

2-25-09  Green Rock Caddis from the Grand River with a #16 PM Caddis

2-25-09 Greg with a nice hen on the Grand

2-25-09  Greg and me both caught this same fish today.  He must have been hungry..LOL..!

2-21-09 Ohio Steelhead Catchin report..!!  I slept in a little today. The phone rang at 7:00 AM.  I rolled over to answer it and I heard my wife mumble " it's 9 degrees outside he really can't be fishing".  I pick up the phone and Greg say's "where are ya"?  "It's slushy but there biting".  I didn't get on the water until about 10:00 and the slush burned off shortly after.  First stop I hooked up with Travis and Jim.  Travis had been out for awhile fly fishing in the slush.  Talk about a die hard fly fisher.  He stands in the middle of the river and lets is body block he slush.  Then he feeds his drifts straight downstream in his eddy. Crazy thing is it actually works. He had already landed three before I got there.  Greg Lum was downstream a couple of miles with three buddies pinning and they did good once the slush burned off. It turned out being a great day with everybody ended up being double digits or close to it. Biggest fish of the day honor went to Greg with a 12 lb goliath hen that he released.

2-21-09 Greg Lum with a 12 lb Ohio hen

Hot fly of the day was egg sacs..Grinning.  Honestly I didn't even get my fly rod out.  I used some salmon egg sacs that I had in my freezer for ever.  I can't believe the fish ate them as well as they did.  Travis and Jim did every bit as good as the bait slingers. They were running #14 Golden Nuggets and Green Caddis patterns on their fly rods.

2-21-09 Travis and Jim with one of many doubles

Stopped at the Grand on my way home.  It was still high and muddy to me but there were people fishing and catching a few.  Conneaut Chagrin are at a good level  and so is the Rocky but be prepared all of the streams are sort of brownish from runoff with about 2 foot of visibility.  There isn't a whole lot of snow on the ground.  I would expect slush the next couple of mornings.  If we get the forecasted warming trend Tuesday.  I think we'll be fishin this week.  I'll keep you posted..            Good Fishin..!!  Don

2-21-09  How's this for a chromer

1-17-09 Ohio Steelhead Fishing Report  I got a late start today and Bob Williams and Dennis Vidmar were already on the water when I got there.  Shortly after George joined us.  The steelhead didn't stand a chance..Right.. Well.. We fished the Chagrin all day long.  Probably wasn't the best decision in fish numbers but we had fun. Flow was perfect and visibility wasn't bad but the river still was brownish colored and the fish weren't very active.  We got a couple but not what I hoped for.  We tried it all. Bait and flies.  We moved around and the stream was crowded for a weekday but we still got to fish many of the prime runs.   We didn't see anyone pounding them today.  It rained most of the day and the water got muddier as the day went on.  There calling for snow and a cold snap tomorrow.  So it ain't looking real good.  The next few days will fish but slush will undoubtedly be a problem.   It was a rare treat for me today having the chance to dig through Dennis Vidmar's fly box.  Dennis guides with Bob and ties the flies they use on their guided trips.  I can see why they are so successful.  Dennis has some awesome patterns he designed and ties. I didn't realize it before today but actually I had met Dennis a couple of times before on the stream, he lives on Rt 528 right by the Grand River. One of those times he had shared a beautiful woven caddis pattern he ties, but it was so nice I never fished it.  He gives fly tying classes by appointment and sells custom steelhead flies.  Give him a call at 440-428-1703 if your interested in some of his beautiful flies. I'm heading out Friday with Trout despite the dismal forecast.  I'll post a report when we get in. Good Fishin..!!  Don

2-16-09 Ohio Steelhead Report   I slept in today.  Greg told me yesterday morning was slushy and I figured this morning would be a slush fest. It's been sunny but cold and the sun has been melting the slush off even though the air is below freezing.  Travis headed up early  and confirmed that the rivers were slushy.  He did manage to pull quite a few through the slush using #14 Golden Nuggets and a bunch of spit shot.  I fished down low  on the same stream and landed four on bait but the slush was all but gone when I got there.  I'm heading out to fish the Chagrin tomorrow with Bob. The Ohio streams are starting to shape up but rain is in the forecast for tomorrow.  Grand is still blown but Chagrin, Connie, and Rocky are all getting fished now. Plus the Pa streams are fishing great.  It's not supposed to get cold tonight so tomorrow should be slush free and a great day to fish. Good Fishin..!!  Don

2-14-09  Happy Valentines Day  Ohio and Pennsylvania Fishing Report. I didn't make it out today but Greg Lum called me from the river telling me I missed a good morning.  Greg was fishing a small un-stocked Ohio stream AKA Skinny water this morning.   I did good on the Pa streams yesterday but I had a date with my wife today so I didn't go fishing.  Jeff and Trout haven't called in yet tonight so I'm not sure how they did today.   90% of the Ohio streams are still too high to fish..!!!!  I'm sure lots of guys will be out tomorrow but I think it will be Monday before the Chagrin or Rocky are good. Conneaut is still a few days away and the Grand is roaring. BUT on a positive note there are good numbers of fish in the Pa streams right now and everything is ice free.  We have guides available every day next week and it looks like we will be fishin in Ohio.  Will it last ??? Only mother nature knows.. Good Fishin..!!  Don

2-14-09 Greg Lum with a Valentines Day Steelhead Click Here to read the story

With the home and Garden Show behind me it's time to focus on The Pittsburgh Sports Show and the Jaffa Shrine Sports Show in Altoona Pa.  We have built a completely new booth and it will debut at the Altoona show. 

See Don Mathews, Jeff Novak and Mark DeFrank at the

27th Annual JAFFA SPORTS SHOW

Jaffa Shrine Center

Broad Avenue and 22nd Street Altoona, PA (just off I-99)

FEB 27, 28, & MARCH 1, 2009

Show Hours Friday 12 Noon � 9 pm

Saturday 10 am � 9 pm

Sunday 10 am � 5 pm

Hunting Fishing Camping Expo

$4.00 per adult, $1 per child age 6 � 12

FREE SHUTTLE BUS

Saturday and Sunday during show hours

From Station Medial Center � 17th Street.� WATCH for signs.

on Saturday Mark will be at

West Virginia Fishing and Outdoor Sport Show

Location: New Community Center at Mylan Park exit 155 off of I -79 Morgantown, WV

Over 50,000 sq ft of Sporting Equipment from Boats, RV's, Hunting & Fishing Equipment and Outfitters.

Look for Mark DeFrank at the Woodlands World Booth!

He will be tying some of my most popular Steelhead, Salmon & Trout patterns that he uses when guiding. Woodlands World will have materials on sale that He uses for these flies during the show. It couldn't be any easier to replicate the flies you see him tie at the show for your next outing!

MARK IS ALSO TEACHING FLY TYING CLASSES NOW AT THE DUNBAR SPORTSMANS CLUB CALL HIM AT 724-317-8582 FOR MORE INFO

2-10-09  Ohio Steelhead Fishing Report   Streams are very high right now. Flood warnings are out. The Grand and Vermillion Rivers are especially bad with massive Ice jams at the mouth's.  Pickle Bills in Fairport might not make it through the night without damage.  The Coast Guard has an Ice Breaker in Route to the Grand River right now and it's supposed to come up the river at daylight.  It's quite a sight, the ice is almost up to the bridge in front or Grand River Tackle.  I had planned on heading out with Trout in the morning but with more rain on the way were going to wait till Thursday or Friday.  I doubt anything at all will fish tomorrow.  The little stream in my back yard is rip roaring right now. Probably about 200CFM.  I would guess it's usually about 5CFM.  Interestingly enough it is a feeder to the Cuyahoga River and it has a resident population of Brook Trout in it.  The kids up the street had three in a bucket one day last summer they caught on worms. Wild Ohio Brookies are very rare and very small.  3 inches is the norm. While were talking about the Cuyahoga I guess the words getting out.  I'm told some sections were open and fishing all winter so far.  Not really sure why it freezes so much later than the rest of the streams.  In all honesty because of pollution in Cleveland, most people don't consider it a steelheading stream  at all (remember the burning river story). Only a few  short years ago,  fish couldn't even swim through a dead zone near the flats in downtown Cleveland without dying.  Now don't get the wrong impression. Not all of the Cuyahoga is a cesspool.  The stretches up near my house are beautiful and perfect steelhead habitat.  Problem is a Dam near Rt 82 stops fish migration.  Reason for the dam is to back up water to fill the un-used Canal system in the Cuyahoga Valley Parks system.  Hope is on the horizon.  Plans are being made to remove the dam. I guess a team of students at OSU are working on a solution to keeping the Canal full without the dam.  This is great news..!! If the Dam is removed, It will open up miles of stream to steelhead migration.  A couple more old useless dams is all that stands in the way of Steelhead Runs in Akron.   Real steelhead water big enough to float and only three miles from my house. Sounds mighty good to me.. Good Fishin..!!  Don

We had a cancellation and have two openings still available for this Springs Steelhead School.  March 27th, 28th, and 29th.  It will be held at the Comfort Inn in Austinburg.  Two nights lodging are included in the package price of $350.  For more info Click Here.

To reserve a spot call Don at 330-565-5457

Our Fall Class will be Nov 6th, 7th, and 8th.

2-08-09   Ohio and Pennsylvania Steelhead Fishing Report.  I didn't make it out yesterday.  I was at a booth at the Home and Garden show in Cleveland. Yesterday was the show opener and the turnout was great despite the dismal economy in this area.  I only took 300 flyers along with me and I ran out early. So hopefully things are improving.  Our prayers are with all those laid off from their jobs.  Talked to Greg Lum and he was out fishing yesterday. No he wasn't involved with the coast guard rescue..Now that was funny..Grinning.. He hit the Grand and got a couple but it still had a whole lot of side ice even though water color was good.  The feeder streams are pouring water VERY hard today.  Some of the guys tried the Grand this morning but she blew out.  I talked to Greg today and he said the Rocky and Chagrin are high now also.  Same goes for every other stream on the Alley.   The guys are on the lakefront now but I haven't heard from them yet. That's usually a good thing. As most of you know the ice blew out yesterday.  Water is over the top of the ice on all of the streams and it will melt very quickly now.  Jim at Folly's End in Girard Pennsylvania said Elk Creek above his shop broke free today and it should fish in a couple of days.  There is a lot of snow to melt so I think the next couple of days will be a washout.  We will be fishing later in this week when things settle down.  Trout has been down and out with the flu since the Kentucky show but I talked to him and he said he's ready to hit the streams. We have guides available every day. C YA on the water..Don

2-05-09 Ohio Steelhead Fishing Report   The weather man this morning described today as bitter cold.  I'm in agreement.  It's 8* outside right now.  They are calling for a warming trend thru the weekend and also some rain. If we get enough snow melt and rain it may open up a few places to fish. BUT with heavy icing on the streams I wouldn't get my hopes up too high. I'll post a update as soon as I know more.

We had a great weekend at the Derby City Fly Fishers show in Louisville Ky and the BlueGrass TU meeting in Lexington on Tuesday night.  My heart goes out to all those that had damage and power outages from last weeks storm.  Our prayers are with you.  I would like to thank both clubs for inviting us down and your continued support in choosing us as your guides on your clubs trips year after year.

I also would like to thank all of our loyal guests who have made SteelheadSchool.com the success it is today.  We already have more trips on our schedule for this spring than we have ever done before.  With five more shows left to do, and our spring season still a month or so away, it is becoming apparent, that we will likely be booked solid this spring.  As many of you know we have actively been searching for another qualified guide to help us out. There are only a very small handful of individuals we would consider to join us.  Last week I had a meeting with Bob Williams.  Bob is an experienced steelhead guide that has ran his own very successful guide business for years. www.screamingreels.net   In all honesty  Bob is by far our biggest competitor guide on Steelhead Alley.  Through the years we have remained friends.  Bob has helped me out with large trips in the past.  He has a lifetime of experience fishing our streams.

Our newest Team Member Guide Bob "Screeming Reels" Williams

It is with much excitement we would like to welcome Bob Williams to our team of guides. This will undoubtedly be a great merger for all of us.  Bob is a local, he lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio.  Bob has an intimate knowledge of the Chagrin River watershed and has access to some of the most productive sections of stream. He fishes all of the streams in Ohio, Pa, and NY.  All of us here at SteelheadSchool.com are excited about networking with Bob daily on the streams. As with all of our team member guides Bob will remain self employed but has agreed to adhere to our pricing schedule and terms on his guided trips booked thru SteelheadSchool.com   You may now call our central Booking number at 330-565-5457 to book a trip with Bob or you may call him directly at 440-487-8111 Bob has a great website and blog with stream conditions and reports www.screamingreels.net  blog http://www.steelheader1.blogspot.com/

Speaking of Blogs you gotta check this one out http://www.inthedrift.blogspot.com/   Its Mike Engelhardt's blog and its full of great photography of his steelhead and trout fishing expeditions.  I met Mike, his Dad, and sister one day years ago steelheading on Conneaut Creek. Now they have a Claka drift boat and I see them floating the Grand sometimes. They are nice folks and a fishin family check out Mikes blog and you will see what I mean.

NOTE:  Our 2009 Spring SteelheadSchool is now full at 18 students.  Our next scheduled School is Nov 7th, 8th, and 9th 2009.  We are taking deposits now and I look for it to fill up also.

Look For This Symbol for a great guided steelhead trip

We have assembled the most experienced team of guides on the Alley. With over a century of Steelheading Experience under our belts, We feel we can offer a better guided steelhead trip than anybody else out there.

1-26-09 Ohio Steelhead Fishing Report  Every day I have been watching the open strip down the center of the upper Grand getting smaller and smaller. This morning its solid all the way across the stream.  Travis was out a couple of times last week busting ice but he said its about useless now.  He did catch a couple Limits of perch in a local tail race last week but with constant single digit temps the steelhead streams are locked up solid.

I spent most of my week at the Cleveland Boat show at the IX center.  It was nice getting to meet so many new faces. It was my first time at the show and most of the vendors were complaining that the attendance was off.  Probably a sign of today's economy.   It was fun shooting the breeze with so many well known Lake Erie charter captains.

We will be leaving Friday for the Kentuckiana Fly Fishing Show on Saturday Jan 31st in Louisville Ky. at the Holiday Inn Airport Convention Center.  I will be a featured speaker at 1:30.  I will be debuting our all new power point presentation titled " Steelhead Alley Guide Tips and Tactics  ".  With all new graphics and pictures it is very educational.  If you attend.  Make sure to stop by our booth and say hi. We will have a great new interactive booth this year.  We will be giving free lessons on tying steelhead flies at our booth.

After our stop in Louisville its on to Lexington Ky.  On February 3rd I will be the featured speaker at the Blue Grass Trout Unlimited meeting.  We will be airing our power point presentation " Steelhead Guide Tips and Tactics "

With seventeen days at shows this winter. I will not have a lot of time to keep the reports page updated.  To be honest there isn't much to report on this time of year. BUT if things warm up and the streams start to fish you will be the first to know.

After all the conversations about websites and graphics at last weeks boat show. I discovered that Ray Clark from Geneva is doing Graphic Design work.  Everything from Logo's, Web Sites, Brochures, Cards, Shirts, Hats, and custom Boat and Vehicle lettering.  Ray is a well known charter captain who's 30 foot Baha the "Mary C" runs out of Kister Marina on the Ashtabula River.  There are some real shady characters on the internet.  It pays to have a reputable local guy doing your graphic work.  Give Ray a call or check out his website rnmgraphics.com

Our spring steelhead school is just about full.  We have added another guide and now have three spots available.  If your interested in a three day crash course in Steelhead Fishing give me a call.

Fall 2008 Garden River story and pics click here

I have been getting caught up on everything and finally got the pictures and story of our 2008 Garden River Trip completed.  I talked to Ben at Bens Bait and Tackle  in Garden River this morning.  It's -35* and he's heading out to his camp for a few days of ice fishing for Lake Trout.  They have been getting 20 lb plus fish thru the ice. He's looking forward to seeing everybody next fall.  We are taking reservations now for the Fall 2009 Garden River Trip.

Of course there is our up coming spring steelhead run.  Our team of guides are the best out there. We still have prime dates available.  Give our central booking number 330-565-5457 a call to reserve your date.  Of course you are free to call your guide directly also.

Let's Go Fishin..!!  Don

1-16-09  Ohio Steelhead Fishing Report    Not to much to report on unless your an ice fisherman.    It's bitter cold and the streams are slushy and icing over.  I'll post an update when the weather warms up.

1-14-09  Ohio steelhead fishing report      Slush and Ice have most everything locked up.  We are froze out folks.  Tie some flies,  re-line the reels, clean out the truck, spend some time with the family,  come see me at a show,  in short get ready for the spring run.  This is Ohio and our weather is un predictable. BUT my prediction is the winter lockup is here to stay for awhile.  There's a pocket or two of open water here and there (warm water discharges, dams, waterfalls, springs, sewage plants, Jet de icer runoff, ect)  but its brutal just being out there in single digit weather.  Keep checking back here and I'll let you know when were fishin open streams again.  Until that time.. Stay warm..God Bless and  Good Fishin..!!  Don

   1-14-09  Yesterdays adventure    Sorry I didn't post a report when I got home last night.  Trout hiked this old man all over yesterday and I was ready for bed when I got home.  We started off at daylight at the same warm water discharge we fished Sunday.  Its small with limited access and it is not stocked (Skinny water)  I hope you understand why I can't disclose its location.  When we arrived the wind was from the south and the water was very very clear (8 foot visibility).  They were not making any hot water.  I was better prepared today with good gloves and my portable propane heater.  On my second cast it was fish-on.  We did very good and ended up in double digits by 11:00.  The fish were bright chrome and as fat as footballs. They were jumping like fall fish when we hooked them.  I probably lost eight or nine to broken lines and slipped hooks.  We caught them on fresh steelhead eggs and Pink Salmon eggs I had preserved last fall.  The Shiners didn't produce for us today.  There was truckloads of dead shad around for the fish to feast on.  All was good until 11:00 when the wind switched to the west. It didn't take long for the wind to clear out the half dozen guys that were out fishing today.  I would estimate the lake shore westerly winds at 30 MPH.  It made casting and drifting very difficult. Heck it made standing up and walking difficult. To make maters worse in a matter of 30 minutes the water went from Gin clear to a murky green.  The fish shut off too.  It was time to leave. 

1-13-09  Trout with a fat winter Ohio steelhead

Next stop was the Chagrin River in Willoughby.  We found a lot of side Ice and slush everywhere.  We didn't even see any reason to get out of the truck.  We headed for the Grand.  We looked at the river in a couple of places and it had a little slush and considerable side ice but it was still fishable.  We tried our best for about an hour but failed to get any hits. This didn't surprise me much.  The water was just above freezing (32.1*) with slush on the rocks on the stream bottom.  In my experience the fish shut down when this happens.  Our lines and rod tips were freezing very badly making it tough to fish.

1-13-09  Notice the girth on these lake front fish next to my size 12 boot.  They gorge themselves on the shad. This one was deep hooked and was given to some anglers that were keeping fish.

1-13-09 A picture of the stream conditions on the Grand River in Ohio

Next we headed out for one of Trout's little spring fed honey holes on a local ditch.  It was a section of stream I had never fished due to access.  Honestly, I didn't think the fish made it that far up the ditch. Trout warned me that some hiking was going to be involved. He wasn't kidding,  I bet we hiked close to 3/4 mile thru the knee deep snow.  The woods was beautiful so I actually enjoyed the walk and besides the younger Trout was in the lead blazing the path.  When we finally arrived we were disappointed to find the stream mostly iced over.  We could have broken out the ice but that would have surely spooked the fish in such skinny water, so we chose to let them be.  What a great hole though. No shale, probably six feet deep and room for several anglers.  It now made sense to me where Trout was finding all these fish lately.   Any day I discover a spot such as this one, it's a great day.  We wouldn't have had much time to fish anyhow by the time we got back to the truck daylight was slipping away.  It was a white knuckle ride home on the icey local roads.  All in all a great day of hardcore winter steelheading on the Alley..  Good Fishin..!!  Don

For More "steelhead Alley" Fishing reports Click here

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Online Fishing License

Save valuable stream time, buy your fishing license online the day before your trip.

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Webmaster - Guide Don Mathews

330-565-5457

All guides listed below are self employed.  We have joined forces.  We believe that by networking together on the stream our group of local guides can give the best steelheading experience possible.  We guarantee it.. Feel free to call any of us at anytime to check on availability or to just talk fishin..   Don't be fooled by the NEW wave of guides in Ohio.  These guys are your true local steelhead pro's

Guide  Jeff Novak

www.extremesteelheading.com

330-984-7406

Guide  Dick Keagy

www.ohiosteelheader.com

330-646-8150

Guide Travis McAllister

www.fishwithtrout.com

330-399-2746

Guide Mark DeFrank

www.defranksflies.com

724-317-8582

Guide Bob Williams

www.screamingreels.net

440-487-8111

Guide Kurt Bitikofer

A

Greg Lum

TTo book a trip with any of the above guides please call Don Mathews at 330-565-5457 .  He handles the website and our central booking calendar at steelheadschool.com  You may also call your guide of choice at anytime with questions or to check on availability.

Stream Maps

Ohio

Pennsylvania

New York

Best Area Bait and Tackle Shops

Anglers who travel to the area are in luck.  Dan, Eric and the team at FishUSA are there for you.  They stock what you will need.  Don't waste your money at the marts. FishUSA will have your order to you very quickly.  They also have a storefront in Erie Pa. with everything they stock available there.   You can stop there and get online prices on the spot.  Tell them I sent you.

Gary and his wife Dot run a great baitshop near Walnut Creek in PA  called Poor Richards  I have been a customer there since Gary bought the place many years ago.   The prices are good.  The selection is great, with everything you need to catch fish, fly or spin.  They clean fish and will exchange your fresh caught steelhead for a smoked fish on the spot.  Check them out..!!

Jim runs Folly's End fly shop and campground.  Jim bought the shop a few years ago from my good friend Larry.  Jim has done a great job of keeping the shop well supplied for steelhead fishermen and done some nice improvements to the campground.  Clyde Murray has worked at the shop for years.  He is a steelheading icon. Clyde's friendly advise has caused the demise of countless steelhead.  The shop is located on the banks of Elk Creek in one of the most productive sections of stream. You can park on the left side of the driveway going down to the shop. From there you can access the stream to fish. Please stop in the shop and let them know though.

Bruce an Terry have run the Grand River Tackle shop for years.   They have a great selection of Steelhead gear as well as lake fishing tackle and live bait.  Bruce is a steelheading pioneer.  They are located near Painsville on your way out to the Fairport Harbor boat ramp

Barcelona Market is located just a half mile ease of Chautauqua Creek on Lake Rd.  The have NY fishing licenses, bait and steelhead tackle.

Stop in and see Frank at TMF Orvis if your ever near Ravenna Ohio.  Frank is about as good natured and friendly as anybody you will ever meet.  He runs a very neat and tidy shop that has a great selection of fly fishing gear for the steelheader, trout fisherman or saltwater angler. His fly tying material selection is great.  They also have lots of quality rods and reels. 

Chagrin River Bait and Tackle

Located in Eastlake Ohio selling fishing licenses bat and some steelhead tackle. 440-942-9716

Erie Shore General Store

Some bait and tackle located in Eastlake Ohio 440-942-3470

Karran Shop

Karan Shop has bait and steelhead tackle plus a selection of Lake Erie Tackle. Located at 413 South Ridge  Geneva, Ohio (440) 466-3561

Elk Creek Sports

 I have known Dan Seaman since I started guiding in Pa.  his shop Elk Creek Sports is open early has licenses, shiners, bait and everything else the Steelheader needs.  He is located on Rt.5 right at Elk Creek. 

BAC Bait and Tackle has Several stores with a great selection of fly tying materials, bait, tackle, rods, reels and waders. Located around Erie Pennsylvania

Neshannock Creek Fly Shop is located on a nice trout stream about an hour or so south of Erie they have a great fly fishing selection

Erie Outfitters

Craig Lewis runs Erie Outfitters Located in Sheffield Lake Ohio.  They have a great selection for the steelheader as well as lake fishermen.  There is a nice launch down the street that puts you about 6 miles from the sandbar. A lake Erie fishing hot spot in recent years. Erie outfitters has shiners, bait and licenses.

Area Camp Grounds Open year round

Jim and Clyde at Folly's End have a great fly shop on site at their riverfront campground. You can access one of the best sections of Elk Creek from their campground.  They offer daily stream parking and camping. As well as seasonal camping.  If your near Elk Creek stop in. They will hook you up.

Uncle John's Elk Creek Campground is located right on the stream near the mouth of Elk Creek.  Fishing is very good on their property.  John is a great guy and he let me hold my Boy Scout Merit Badge Classes in one of his cabins for free.  The cabins are for rent they are new and are very nice.  The showers and restrooms are great The place is always clean and well kept.  It is very angler friendly. He offers daily stream front parking for a small fee.

Indian Creek Campground Geneva Oh  Phone 440-466-8191

Best Area Chow

Cleveland, Willoughby, Mentor, Painsville

If you can' find something you like to eat in Cleveland  your in trouble.  I'm not going to waste your time trying to list hotels or restaurants in the Cleveland or the burbs.

Geneva

Best Friends Restaurant Located right at Exit #218  Good Breakfast and reasonable prices. 440-466-0041

Chops is located right at Exit #218 On Rt 534.  They have a nice dinner menu and serve some local wines

Ferrante Winery is my favorite place.  Don't wear your waders. Good Italian food.  Meals are $10-$20.  Located 5 minutes from Exit #218 call 440-466-8466

Ashtabula

Crows Nest Restaurant Follow Rt 11 north and you will dead end in their parking lot. Good choices lots of selections reasonable prices.  The monster bowl of Chili will warm you up.  440-964-2696

Conneaut

Beef and Beer Great food for the money.  Home cooked meals.  Daily specials, Hearty burgers.  Bottled beer your real likely to run into one of us there. They Even have a fish tank table. Located Right at I-90 Exit #241 Right near the state line.  440.593.3667
 

Biscotti's Restaurant  186 Park Ave Conneaut  Local favorite Pizza and Italian food Call 440-593-6766

 Fairview Pa

Crowleys is just 2 1/2 miles south of I-90 on Rt 18. Great food but don't wear your waders. They have a grill in the center of the place and you can cook your own steaks if you want. Call 814-774-8450

Avonia Pa

It's hard for me to drive by Avonia Tavern Just West of Walnut Creek on Rt 5. Great Wings and Burgers all the food is great and they have reasonable prices.

Erie Pa

Teresa's Deli is located at 5360 West Lake Rd.  Just a short drive from walnut creek.  The subs are fantastic and a big hit with the area fishermen all 814-833-6913

Follow I-90 to Peach Street and there are a lot of choices.  Quaker steak and lube wings are a local favorite.  Or jump on I-79 North to Mill Creek Mall.  All the big chains are in town. 

NorthEast Pa

Lighthouse Inn 3704 East Lake Rd is our favorite over that way. 814-899-9300

Plummers is located East of 20 mile Creek on Lake Rd just across the NY state line.  They have good burgers and cold beer