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....................... 

Call 330-565-5457 

e-mail us at info@dfishinfool.com

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Honesty is our number one priority at Dfishinfool's Guide Service. 

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.  My guarantee is simple. If your not 100% satisfied with anything we do contact me.  If I can't make it right. I will give you a full refund. No questions asked.

Don Mathews

The original

"Steelhead School" 

 Since 2001

March 27, 28, and 29th  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

 

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 Dfishinfool' Guide Service.

4-10-05 Sunday Jason and Jeff called in tonight and they both hit fish this weekend. They moved around a lot and report crowds were very heavy most places. They got some very nice sized fish. Both sounded tired after four consecutive days of Guiding. I'll get the pictures up once I get them. Here is a rundown on the streams. Walnut in Pa is low and clear not many fish.Trout Run has about 150 in the creek now, almost all are dark males, No fresh fish only could see 6 hens. Presque Isle is still Iced on the Lake side. The bay is completely open now. Elk is going clear and most fish are drop backs with a few fresh ones mixed in. Some people are doing good. Conneaut will fish good Monday, vis is 2' and it is turning green.Skinny Ohio water feeders are now low and clear with a few old ones on gravel.Grand is at 1200cfm but should fish good by Wed or Thursday.Chagrin is nice color and flow. Vermillion is at a nice flow with good numbers of fish on gravel. Haven't seen the Rocky but it should be going clear, lots of big fish to be had on the Rocky. Going to be a GREAT week in the Buckeye. Gone Fishin..!!  Don

4-07-05 NKFF club president Ron with a 35" Ohio Manistee hen caught on the fly and released.

4-09-05 Saturday Have the weekend off. Had the TV crew from Eastern Outdoors coming up to shoot a float the Grand with me in the Driftboat. We rescheduled because the river was still to high to float. Action was good yesterday on some of the Ohio streams. High water from last weeks storm and the ensuing snow melt is still a problem on many of the streams. It was a tough week but things are looking good. The Grand is still blown out. Chagrin is still a little high but may fish good tomorrow.Connie is dropping fast and a few will surely fish it today.Rocky is prime green and there are lots of fish. Suckers are heavy everywhere on the Rock. Pa tribs are going good today with mostly drop backs. I heard there are a few fresh stray Manistee's in Elk also. Greg and Jason are out today. Jason called this morning on the cell and said they are doing very good. I'll post a complete report when they call in tonight.

4-08-05 Daryl with a huge Ohio fish caught on the fly

The trick to catching these fish has been chasing prime water and getting on the fish first. The mobile angler who knows the Ohio streams should fair very well the next couple of days. Water temp was 44* yesterday. The banks are greening up and the suckers are starting to show up. The pa fishing will fizzle out quick now but we have a few more weeks left in Ohio. 

4-08-05 Gary with a 12.1 lb hard earned Ohio steelhead. 

We have been having our best success fly fishing. Either sink tipping with streamers or High stick nymphing with indicators. Best flies the last couple of days are Bobs minnows and pastel color egg patterns on a #14 hook.

4-07-05 Mark with a skinny water Manistee in full color

I eat fish all of the time. I don't personally like the taste of steelhead but I eat my share of Walleye and perch. If you want to keep fish for the table this is fine. I would suggest only keeping one the first time to decide for yourself if you like the taste. Please be careful with those fish you intend to release. The water is warming up and we need to revive those fish until they swim off under their own power.  If you want a quick picture to remember the moment. MAKE A PLAN.  These large Manistee fish that are running now have wide tails and a bad attitude. They are hard to hold for pictures. Have the camera ready, wear a glove or a mesh landing hand and grip the tail very tightly. The tight grip shows the fish you are in charge. Slide the other hand under the belly to support the weight of the fish. Never let your fingers go into the gills or in front of the fins. Any steelhead that bleeds from the gills is dead please keep it if you injure it. The fish should be out of the water for 10 seconds MAX. Never lift a steelhead by the gill plate.  Do not use boga grips. A large adult steelheads neck is to fragile to support its weight hanging from a boga. They are a big no-no on my trips..!!!!  Do not use nylon nets.  Use only cotton or coated knotless bags on your net.  Keep the fish in the net and in deep water until you are ready to take the picture. Take your pictures over deep water so if you accidentally drop the fish it doesn't bonk its nose on a rock. Caring for this fish today will ensure a future angler of the same thrill you experienced..!! This resource is way to precious to waste..!!Thanks  Don

4-07-05  Dave with a fresh Rocky River Ohio hen

A friend of mine is now renting out a house he owns in Conneaut Ohio. This is the perfect location for a steelhead base camp on your trip. His prices are reasonable and he rents by the day and the week. The house is well equipped, it is a nice alternative to the hotels. Check out the website at www.orangestreetrentals.com 

4-08-05 Daryl with another nice Ohio fish

Mark your Calendars for May 21st. Friends of Conneaut Creek is having a stream cleanup and we need your help..! E-Mail me if you want to come help us clean up this beautiful stream.

4-08-05 A big Manistee strain steelhead warrior on the fly

I am happy to announce that three of our guides have met all of the requirements of the Lorain County Metro-Parks and have been issued a use permit to guide on their property. Myself, Jeff Novak, and Greg Senyo can now offer wade trips on some of the most productive sections of the Vermillion and Black Rivers in Ohio.  This will surely become a top Steelhead destination in the coming years. This year Ohio stocked Manistee strain fish are returning in excellent numbers.  The Vermillion river's beautiful setting along with its fine gravel and beautiful pocket water is sure to become a favorite of many on "Steelhead Alley" 

4-07-05 Mark with another nice Ohio fish caught on the fly

If your interested in fishing the Niagara River below the falls by boat.  Give Capt Eric Elenfelt a call at 716-694-6995.  Capt Eric is a Buffalo NY native who spends over 200 days a year on the water and is US coast guard licensed.  He will put you on the fish. Fishing this time of year is for Steelhead, Brown Trout, and Lake Trout. Bait casting equipment is used and you drift. A very relaxing way to fish and the fish run big. I fished with Capt Eric a couple of weeks ago and would recommend him to anyone interested.

4-08-05 Terry with a nice Manistee Hen

4-02-05 Garrettsville Boy Scouts learning fly tying at Uncle johns campground

4-3-05 Sunday WHAT A WEIRD SPRING..!! I awoke to 6 inches of snow and 25 mph winds this morning and snowfall was heavier near the lake. The upper Grand is now out of its banks (6500cfm). Some areas have received 10 inches of snow.The temperature rose above freezing this afternoon and the snow is rapidly melting. Monday continued snowmelt will cause conditions to be flooded  on all of the streams. My guess is Tuesday will still be too high to fish. Wednesday some of the streams should shape up. I'll keep you posted.  Good Fishin..!!  Don

4-1-05 Mike with a nice Ohio fish.

4-2-05 Saturday  Streams have all blown out. I was on lower Elk this morning and it was fishable at daylight but had risen over 2' by 1:00 and was flowing muddy brown. Same goes for the Eastern Ohio streams. We got some very heavy rain early this morning. With more rain and snow in the forecast it isn't looking good until next week.   C YA!!  Don

4-1-05 swinging flies paid off for Dave

4-2-05 Saturday Had a group of boy scouts from Garrettsville Ohio up to get their merit badge in fly fishing. They tent camped last night in the big storm. Winds were at 35 mph and we got 1 1/2 inches of slushy rain. John Pauline at Uncle Johns campground came to the rescue this morning. He let us use one of his new cabins for our classroom section of the merit badge requirements. Sure was nice drying out in front of the wood burner. THANKS JOHN..!!

3-29-05 Dick on a Grand River float trip

4-1-05 Friday We floated the Grand River in Ohio this morning. Flow was at 500cfm and the river was a brownish green color. We fly fished and did good. We were swinging flies on my handmade 5' tungsten tips with Kat A Killers and white buggers. Got a few real nice fish and some semi fresh ones too. 

Greg with a nice Ohio hen that fell for his wiggle stone

3-30-05 Wednesday  Went with a group of 24 friends on a Niagara River guided fishing trip. We launched from Lewiston NY. We had 8 boats and captains lined up. A great time was had by all although the fishing was a little slow. Steelhead were scarce but we did get some Lakers and Browns. A 32 1/2 inch Laker took the honors and the fish pool money.  My best fish was a 30" lake trout taken on a emerald shiner in 25 foot of water. I fished with Capt Eric and would recommend him if your interested in a Niagara River trip.

3-29-05  Mike with a nice hen

3-29-05 Tuesday We floated the Grand River in Ohio again today. We did very good and got some real nice fish. We used both the fly rods and spinning gear. Fish were aggressive and we had some good jumpers today. Flow was about 700 cfs and visibility was about 18". Good fishin..!!  Don

4-1-05  Dave with a nice Ohio fish on the fly

A friend of mine is now renting out a house he owns in Conneaut Ohio. This is the perfect location for a steelhead base camp on your trip. His prices are reasonable and he rents by the day and the week.  The house is well equipped, it is a nice alternative to the hotels. Check out the website at http://www.orangestreetrentals.com 

3-28-05 Joel with a nice hen on a Grand River float trip

3-28-05 Monday Floated the grand and did good. Flow was 900 and visibility was 10-12 inches. Some fresh fish in the stream. Greg fished Elk and said they did good there also,  he reports it was a little up and dirty today. Gotta keep it short. Good Fishin..!!  Don

3-28-05  Joel with a big Ohio buck

3-28-05 Merlin with a Ohio steely

3-28-05 Joe the fish slayer

3-28-05 NY strips on the grill and Steelies in solitude.  It just doesn't get any better..!!

3-27-05  Greg Senyo with a Easter Steelhead

3-27-05 Happy Easter..!! We got out for a few hours this morning and did OK. Started at Conneaut and hit a few. Water was still a bit high and the color was a nice dark green. Fish were fresh run. We headed to Ohio skinny water mid morning and got out the fly rods. We did fair here on holdovers but couldn't find any fresh fish. Greg headed over to Pa this afternoon and did very good with the fly rod on Elk creek. Said crowds were moderate and the fish are on gravel.  Lots of smelts in all of the Pa streams now. Things are looking good for this week. Good Fishin..!!  Don

3-26-05 Ariel on her first day of Steelheading. Jeff is helping her with the nice Ohio fish she caught on the spinning rod.

3-26-05 late update Greg reports Vermillion is blown out till Monday at the soonest. Jeff hit Conneaut today and did fair they got about a half dozen on the spinning rods.Jeff said Conneaut flow was strong and it was still a day or so away from prime.This was Jeff's 5th trip this month with children under 13. I am happy to report that all the kids Jeff guided have landed fish. This was a tough feat to pull off given the weather we were faced with in March. Thanks Jeff for a job well done..!! I have the Garrettsville Ohio Boy Scout troop coming up next weekend to work on their fly fishing merit badge. Nothing makes me happier than helping these kids catch their first "Steelhead".Take a kid fishing..!!

3-19-05  Chelsey on her first steelhead trip.

3-26-05 Saturday Sorry no report yesterday. I was beat by the time I got home last night. Started on Ohio skinny water early yesterday morning with the fly rod.  Managed to land a half dozen before the crowds got too bad. Used a variety of flies and did best on #10 White buggers.  Crowds were heavy as usual for a Friday. After lunch we did some hiking on another Skinny Ohio Trib.  It was already low and clear and there were no fish to be had.  Next stop was the Rocky River in Cleveland.  It had shaped up and although the flow was a bit strong water color was nice.  Didn't get any fish here but didn't fish long.  Most of the good stretches of river were crowded. I did see a few fish spawning on gravel and there were lots of fresh redds.  Conneaut (just under the 2' mark) and the Vermillion (475 cfs) will be nice conditions by Sat afternoon and Sunday morning. The Grand is (1400 cfs) and should fish early next week.  My guide Jason was out on Elk yesterday and they did OK.  Said they had to walk a lot but they found some holdover fish. He reports no fresh fish in Elk or Trout run.  Said that Senyo's skein fly was the ticket.  Greg is on the -V- today.  Jeff is on Conneaut and Jason is on Elk.  Given all the recent internet controversy, I'm going to go out and renew some landowner contacts today.  Then I'm going to try to hook up with the guys on the stream.  I'll post a report tonight.  Good Fishin..!!  Don 

3-24-04 Thursday Yesterdays rain has blown out most of the steelhead streams. Hopefully there are fresh fish charging upriver right now. Vermillion is at 600CFM and Grand is at 1700 cfs.  Some of the Ohio streams should clean up and fish this weekend. The pa tribs will fish tomorrow. I cancelled my trip for today due to weather. Jeff hasn't called in yet. Good Fishin..!!  Don

Save Time and buy your fishing license online.  Please check with your guide on what state you will be fishing.

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Welcome to our Steelhead Fishing Reports page.  Here you will find, Ohio fishing reports and Pennsylvania fishing reports, compliments of Ohio Steelhead fishing guide, Don Mathews and the team of guides at Dfishinfool's Guide Service.

Webmaster - Guide Don Mathews

330-565-5457

All guides listed below are self employed.  but 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 them at anytime to check on availability or to just talk fishin.  They are your true local steelhead pro's

Guide  Jeff Novak

330-984-7406

Guide  Dick Keagy

330-646-8150

Guide Travis McAllister

330-399-2746

Guide Mark DeFrank

724-317-8582

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

"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.