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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e-mail us at

dfishinfool@aol.com

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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 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.

 

Joe Montello is a local steelhead expert.   Check out his blog.

 

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.

Tube flies are all the rage on the alley.  If your interested in tubes you gotta check out Tony DiBenedetto's web site tubeflytech.com

 

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

4-20-09 Ohio Steelhead Fishing Report  It was day two for the 11 anglers from the Louisville Trout Unlimited club and our four guides each had his own section of stream in mind. It worked out real good and we put a whole bunch of fish in the net.  Dick and Mark's groups beat them up real good in the morning but we didn't slack either. I can't even talk numbers of fish hooked or you wouldn't believe me. It poured rain most of the afternoon and if it continues nothing will fish tomorrow.  Only mother nature knows if this bring will bring up a few more fish?

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4-19-09 Ohio Steelhead Fishing Report   The Louisville Trout Unlimited club has been up with us at least a half dozen times over the years.  They have seen it all but usually their trips involve blizzards. This year the weather cooperated and we had a real pleasant day on the stream.  Fishing improved from yesterday and the crowds were not nearly as bad. The Louisville Crew did great and we put a whole bunch of quality fish in the net today and everybody landed fish.  Things should only continue to improve as the streams clear up. Good Fishin..!!  Don

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4-18-09 Ohio Steelhead Fishing Report  It was day two of the Eastern Tennessee Boys trip.  After a tough day yesterday I wanted to get them into a bunch of fish today.  I was hoping for a good bite at first light so we walked used flash lights to get to the stream. Plus it was Steelhead Day and they all kinds of folks up here today to show case our steelhead fishery.  Thirty or so groups of anglers went out with local steelhead club members as their guides today. They tried to time the event when the Grand would be fishing  good BUT with the Grand still to high to fish they all went for what was fishin. Wave after wave of anglers descended on the rivers clear enough to fish. The east side streams got hit the worse and moving around was very difficult to say the least..  To make matters tougher the bite was off.  I ended up taking a gamble and driving West to find fish.  It paid off and I came away looking like a hero. The guys who stayed East didn't fare as well but the bite did pick up some in the afternoon once the crowds slimmed down.  Tough day on the alley for most.  We need cool weather to bring in more fish.  Good Fishin..!!  Don

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4-17-09 Ohio and Pennsylvania Steelhead Fishing Report  I pulled into the Comfort Inn this morning and the sign read "Welcome Derby City Fly Fishers Club"  I knew our guides taking these guys out were in or a hoot today.  I had fished with several club members and they are a fun bunch of guys. Today was Jeff and Marks turn to entertain them.  Travis had a couple of local Ohio guys out with him and I had a group of Tennessee guys up for two days to fish with me. Most of our guests today were veterans who fish with us all the time. Lucky for us because it was a tough day.  The stream was still high and the strong flow made landing fish tough.  We all ended up fishing Eastern Ohio. Fishing should improve as the water levels drop. It ain't over yet. Trust me.. Good Fishin.. !! Don

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4-16-09 Steelhead Alley Fishing Report   Today was the Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers Club spring steelhead trip. The NKFF have been very good to us.  They have booked many club trips with us over the last 7 or 8 years.   I met the guys near my house at the Pine Lakes Trout Club. They rented a cabin at the club. I had hoped to take them to the Chagrin River but yesterdays rains threw a curve ball at us.  After studying the county by county rainfall amounts it was decided to give Conneaut Creek a try.  The eastern half of Ohio received far less rain than the western part of the state.  Conneaut was still pretty high this morning.  Water came up almost 8 inches overnight.  We didn't have much success on the high and muddy Conneaut so we packed up and headed to Pennsylvania.  Elk Creek saved the day for us.  We didn't find any huge numbers at Elk but we did find a few fresh fish in the lower Elk. Conditions should continue to improve the next few days as the streams drop.  Good Fishin..!!  Don

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4-15-09 Ohio Steelhead Fishing Report   It's noon now and we have received over an inch or rain in the past 24 hours.  Most of the guides cancelled their fishing trips today.  With all the rain we figured nothing would fish and we made the right call.  Dick "Diehard" Keagy is out on the water right now. He is fishing the Grand on the rise because everything else blew out this morning.  He called when they were getting started and he said visibility was still OK but at over 1100 CFM it's going to be tough day. He has a guest from NY who was here and wanted to fish despite the terrible conditions. His guest is experienced with big water west coast techniques and sinking lines and I suspect that's how there fishin today.  I have a lot of faith in Dick's ability and I'll let you know how he fares today.  Greg Lum just called me and he said the Grand's feeders in Painsville were blowing real hard so the rivers haven't peaked yet. It's going to be a few days before any of the larger streams fish. Most streams are out of their banks right now.  Wish I had better news but it is was it is. Catch them when they drop and you might just be rewarded with a bit of silver. Good Luck and Good Fishin..!!  Don

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4-14-09 Ohio Steelhead Fishing Report  WOW..!!  What a couple of days of Ohio steelheading.  I wish every day could be like the last couple.  We floated the Grand River today.  Flow was a bit up but the fish were very active.  We put 35 in the net today and lost more than we landed.  We got a lot of quality repeat spawners and we had a half dozen fish over 30 inches. We had light rain on and off but we managed to stay dry all day.  Trout took his guest walk and wading and they did good as well. Stream levels were perfect on most of the Alley today and from the reports I got lots of fish were caught on most of the streams today.  We found a mixture of oldie moldy males and silver hens. We had the river to ourselves all day and we never saw any one else fishing today on the Grand.  I stopped to talk to a landowner I know today.  He was out clearing debris along the stream,  and he's not very happy with all the people walking right past his quite obvious posted signs.  I suggested he start calling the sheriffs dept.  Just a reminder in Ohio the landowner owns the stream bottom you do not have the right to wade to the high water mark.  Unless you are on a navigable river.  Trust me there are plenty of places to fish in Ohio without pissing off one of the few landowners who has posted his property.  Sometimes all it takes is one landowner complaining to his neighbors to shut down an entire section of stream.  While I'm talking about landowners, Pennsylvania's stream easement program has been more successful than I would have ever imagined. It seems like every day they are signing a new angler access easement. I just wish Ohio could come up with a similar program.  I applaud the Pa fish commission for having the foresight to preserve this fishery for future generations.  I ran into friend and fellow guide Jim Sharpe awhile back and he has spearheaded a Landowner Appreciation Fruit Basket Program.  In 2006 Jim and a handful of local steelheaders passed the hat and spent the money buying landowners a fruit basket in appreciation of them keeping their property open to anglers.  Now with the support of Gem City Outdoorsmen, Pa Steelhead Association, Northwest Pa TU, and the S.O.N.S. of lake Erie they distributed 89 baskets this year. If your interested in buying a raffle ticket or making a donation to this, please contact Jim or one of the supporting clubs.

My phone rang off the hook today.  Everybody saw the forecast and wanted to know what will be fishing the next couple of days and the weekend.  To be honest your guess is as good as mine.  We are forecasted to receive 3/4 to 1 inch of rain by tomorrow afternoon. If it does come everything will be blown out tomorrow.  Then it will be back to ditch jumping until the larger streams clear up. Problem is most of the fish are in the larger streams and many of the ditches runs have dwindled. This rain may pull a few more in to some of the streams.  The next problem is the massive front out west over the Rocky's.  It looks like it will be here Saturday possibly bringing more rain with it.  Don't shoot the messager..LOL.. We will be out scouting around tomorrow. I'll post a report in the evening. Good Fishin..!!  Don

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4-14-09 Catch and release works..!!

4-13-09 Ohio Steelhead Alley Fishing Report  I decided to hook up the boat and float the Grand River this morning.  The guys that were out yesterday found a whole bunch of fish and spanked them hard.  Mark and Dick took their groups back where they did so well yesterday.  They had a banner day and everybody got fish.  It was a ballsy move to try the unproven Grand at 850 CFM  Plus I hadn't fished it in almost two weeks. Would the fish still be there? We shoved off about 8:00 and the parking lot was still empty. Was this a good sign or a bad sign? It didn't take long to find out I had chosen well. We caught fish after fish.   Luckily for me I had a crew of experienced steelheaders who have been coming with me for years.  I had them well trained and they did great considering all the trees I stood them under.Lol... The guys count of landed fish made it to 40 but I know we had over a hundred on the line. I hate to brag but like Kid Rock says "it ain't bragging if you have the pictures to back it up".  No boot prints in the mud meant many of the fish had never seen a line and they were dumb and hungry.  We got quite a few fresh ones today.  Fish wanted my Nest Invader and Crystal minnow patterns today but we did hit them on Sucker Spawn, Crystal Meth and a variety of Bead Head Nymphs. Water visibility was about 2 feet but he strong flow made it difficult getting them in.  We only ran into two anglers all day long.  I ran into Tony DiBenedetto and mooched a couple of his beautiful tube flies..Thanks Tony.. I also ran into a local landowner who came down to fish with us at one of our stops.  A great day on the stream.!!  Now for the bad news.  They are calling for rain tonight and tomorrow.  It's raining here pretty good now so tomorrow may be touch and go.  I think he bigger streams will be OK for the morning but only mother nature really knows for sure..  Good Fishin..!!  Don

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4-12-09  Happy Easter From  our staff...Don, Erma, Jeff, Dick, Mark, Travis, Kurt, and Bob.  Good Fishin..!!!!

4-11--09 Ohio and Pennsylvania Steelhead Alley Fishing Report  We watched the rain move across Ohio last night very closely.  To be honest we were quite nervous that we would get too much rain and blow the streams out.  We had guests from Indiana, Maryland, Ohio and Austria.  We wanted them all to have good experience on "Steelhead Alley" today.  Thanks to the hard work of our professional team of guides I think everybody had a good day. I had the pleasure of fishing with Helmut from Austria.  Helmut is a very accomplished fly fisher and I enjoyed spending the day with him.  He probably got tired of all the questions I had for him. I found his European style of casting very interesting.  He has never spey fished but he used spey casting techniques all day long.  He was throwing 70 feet of line effortlessly. At lunch I offered to bring a spey rod and some sink tips for swinging flies.  He wanted nothing to do with sink tips because that isn't true fly fishing.  Finally someone who thinks like me.... Most of the day we ran  #14 nymphs and eggs  with little or no shot on the line.  To me that's true fly fishing but what do I know.!  I enjoyed the nice company and weather today.  The morning started out real tough. The river was nice but we just couldn't find fish in any numbers. We didn't find any fish on Gravel. We picked at them in the pocket water but many of the guests still hadn't landed a fish by lunch.  We wore out our boots and cell phone minutes but it all paid off in the afternoon.  We found a bunch of fish and had a blast.  I stayed extra to be sure Helmut got his trophy.  In the 11th hour of our fishing day it happened.  Helmut hooked up with a awesome Ohio buck that will soon be on a plane back to Austria with him.  Everybody ended up having multiple hookups and everybody landed at least one.  All of the rivers are shaping up and will be fishing tomorrow.  We have been mixing the fly patterns up a lot but my "Nest Invader"  Creek Chub pattern has been the hot fly the last few days.  We also have been doing well on #14 sucker spawn and #14 Yellow Sally bead heads.  Greg Lum put over twenty in the net today by himself on both bait and flies. The drop back hens are holed up and hungry right now so bait fishing techniques are still producing. Crowds were heavy today an with many people on spring break and laid off from work I would expect lots of anglers on the water this week. I have been witnessing some terrible behavior on the stream. People walking across posted property with out permission has been occurring every day.  Be careful if you trespass, Ohio's trespassing laws are some of the toughest in the nation.  The penalty's are very severe. I have also seen way too many mishandling fish, hoisting up steelhead by their gill plates.  If you lift a fish like this all the serious steelheaders will immediately know you are a rookie and most will think your an idiot.  I don't care how careful you are not to get your fingers in the gills.  An adult steelheads neck can't support his weight when lifted like this.  Most fish lifted this way end up raccoon food. Only lift a steelhead like this if your going to keep it. Otherwise please don't do it..!!  Use a glove and grip the tail for your pictures.  Also don't let them thrash around on the bank while you get your camera out keep it in the water.  A little care and common sense will help insure that another angler gets to feel the same excitement that the fish gave you.  After all isn't the big repeat spawners the reason your fishing Ohio in the first place?  I will not be fishing tomorrow because I have an appointment with a Amish baked cherry pie..but some of the Team will be out. I'll not post another report till Monday.  I'm sorry so many of our spring guests pictures haven't been posted here yet.  The guides are very busy and sometimes it takes a bit for them to get me pictures.   Myself my wife and our team of guides would like to wish you and yours a Happy Easter.  Good Fishin..!!  Don

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Here is a rundown of our open dates for guided trips as of today.  Dates in red there are multiple guides available.

April  14, 15, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30

May 1, 2, 3,

4-10-09 Ohio Steelhead Fishing Report   It was a crowded day on the streams.. (Good Friday).  Conneaut and the Grand were still to high today.  So the guys took off for the Elk and Chagrin. A couple of the groups chose to fish the skinny water un-stocked streams in Ohio.  Greg Lum stayed over in Cleveland on the Rocky. I had the day off due to a cancellation so I just spent the day fishing scouting and hanging out.  It was a tough day everywhere.  All of the guests landed fish but once again it was far from a banner day anywhere on steelhead alley. Our best success was at Elk Creek in Pa but it was crowded.  Hate to be negative but there just isn't big numbers of fish in the Ohio streams right now.  The talent and dedication of our team of guides shines during tough times like these.  I am confident that there is still a whole lot more steelheading in Ohio this spring once we get over this hump. I'll keep you posted..  Good Fishin..!!  Don

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***  I'm trying to get caught up on my e-mail..  Just thought I would pass n a few comments from our guests.  Thanks for the kind words guys..!!

http://www.steelheadschool.com

For More "steelhead Alley" Fishing reports Click here

We want to hear from you

contact us

dfishinfool@aol.com

330-565-5457

Tackle we depend on..!!

Online Fishing License

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

\OHIO LICENSE

\PA ONLINE LICENSE

\NY FISH LICENSE

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