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Call 330-565-5457
e-mail us at
dfishinfool@aol.com
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
November 5th, 6th, and 7th
2010
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.
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 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
In addition to our guided Ohio and Pennsylvania trips
we offer a select number of trips each Fall to Western,
NY and the Cattaraugus Creek. Steel headers often refer
to the Catt as the "Crown Jewel" of our Great Lakes
tributaries. We fish the Catt during the month of
October. It is a beautiful stream and the early fall
fishing is great. Give me a call and we will discuss a
trip to the Catt. Don Mathews NY License #4348
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
Western Reserve Fly Anglers
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
We
also have a presentation "Finding Fish on Steelhead
Alley" available to put on at your seminar, event, or
club meeting. We have assembled a awesome
power point presentation and
have all of our own equipment. We offer this
presentation at a very minimal cost, $100 plus expenses.
It is very educational and
 your
audience will learn from it. Please contact Don
for more info 330-565-5457
"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
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.
Quality eggs straight from
Alaska to your door
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SteelheadSchool.com
Getting
Tuned-In with Travis
by
Chris Blau
Reprinted
from Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers
January 2011
newsletter
Many of my fellow
NKFFers know exactly who Travis aka “Trout” is and of
the wonderful guide services he provides through Don
Mathew’s dfishinfool.com. I recently took my annual trip
up to Steelhead Alley and once again had a wonderful
time on the water. To be completely honest I happened to
book Travis the same weekend the rest of the club was up
fishing, it just happened to be on Saturday after the
rest of the club fished the waters in Pennsylvania on
Friday. I guess I should have paid closer attention to
the clubs website, but none the less had a great time.
Travis picked me up
at my hotel at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday morning and we were
stream side by first light. One of the biggest
advantages of fishing solo is you can hit smaller
stretches of water that normally have to be skipped over
by larger guided groups. We were also very mobile that
day walking upwards of 4 miles according to Travis. As
many of you know this past fall has been pretty dry and
the fishing has been lousy at best. But with the recent
rounds of rain the waters are finally flowing with fresh
SILVER.
It didn’t take long
for me to have my first fish of the morning in the net,
a nice fresh chromer taken at the end of a fast water
run. After I worked that run for a little longer Travis
decided it was time to move. The next place we went was
right under the rail road trestle on a couple of logs.
Travis and I waded out to what a passer by called the
best spot on the Ashtabula River, it was here that I
hooked into several fish but only landed one smaller
fish.
Every time we’d hit another spot I’d have two or three
strikes right away then the spot would go cold or so I
thought. This is when the experience of a guide really
pays off. Travis would usually tie on another fly or
three and I’d work the stretch again. This particular
spot Travis tied on a bright orange sucker spawn. On my
second cast it was fish on!!! Over the next 15 minutes
the fish made one reel screamin run after an-other.
Finally I wore the beast out and had a nice 12 pound
fresh female in the net. Then it was time for lunch so
we made the walk back to the jeep working a few spots
along the way.
After lunch Travis
decided we’d try a different section of water. The
afternoon is when the sun made its first appearance.
This ended up working in our favor. As I worked a
stretch of water with a shell shelf on one side I was
getting strike after strike. These fish were supper
aggressive, they’d hit the fly I’d set the hook and then
they’d take off. Most were so wild the fight would only
last a couple minutes and they’d be gone. I finally got
a good hook set and the fish was on! Once I had the fish
hooked and it was clear this one wasn’t getting off,
Travis told me if he gets into that fast water be ready
to run. And just like that we were off to the races. The
fish was swimming down stream in the fast water, I was
running with my rod has high as I could reach and Travis
had the net in hot pursuit. It was by far the wildest
fish I’d ever landed. It was a nice male chromer, that
Travis estimated hadn’t been in the water for more then
24 hours.
Travis AKA Trout
We decided to try a
couple more spots after that and continued to have luck.
Travis being the excellent guide that he is told me we’d
stop fishing when I’d had enough. At about 4 o’clock I
hooked into my last fish of the day. Wouldn’t you know
it was another fresh fish that made several hard runs on
my reel. Travis was talking to some fellow fisherman as
I fought the fish. It was pretty cool having an audience
who you know wanted to be fighting the fish instead of
me. After a nice fight we got the fish in the net and
snapped a few more pictures. It was by far my most
productive day on the water hooking 13 fish and landing
5. Hopefully I can make another trip up while there’s
still so much silver in the water. Tight lines and Merry
Christmas!!!
http://www.steelheadschool.com
For More "steelhead Alley"
Fishing reports Click here
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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
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FISH LICENSE
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.
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. He keeps his
river
reports page up to date and the info is good.
BAC Bait and
Tackle has Several stores with a great selection of
fly tying materials, bait, tackle, rods, reels and
waders. Located around the Erie Pennsylvania area
Gary and his wife Dot run a great bait shop located on
Rt 5 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.
Lake Erie
Ultimate Angler
is located
at 3737 west 12th Street in Erie Pa. They are a
Orvis shop that carry's a nice line of upper end fly
fishing equipment 814-833-4040
Barcelona
Market is located just a half mile ease of Chautauqua
Creek on Lake Rd. The have NY fishing licenses,
bait and steelhead tackle.
Appalachian Outfitters
Appalachian Outfitters is located at 60 Kendall Park
Rd in Penninsula Ohio. They are a full service
outdoor shop with a nice fly fishing department.
Harpersfield
Bait and Tackle
Harpersfield
Bait and Tackle is located in the Ashtabula county
metro-park at the Harpersfield Dam. They are open
seasonably and they have Bait, Tackle, Snacks, and flies
tied by local tiers. Give Joe a call at 440-983-9500 for
more info
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.
KMD Tackle
Located
at 263 Liberty st in Painsville Ohio. Minutes from some
of the best stretches of the Grand River. Kevin
has the best fly fishing selection in the area.
Chagrin River Bait
and Tackle
Cat
Bill Goble is a seasoned veteran Erie charter Capt. who
runs trips on his nice 30 foot Baha the
"No Woes". Bill also owns
Chagrin River Bait
and tackle located at 140 forest dr. in Eastlake
Ohio. They sell fishing licenses, bait, and
steelhead tackle. Bill closes up for a few months
in the winter but he offers fish cleaning during the
summer. His BBQ Ribs and Fish dinners are a big hit with
the locals. They open at 6:00 am most mornings 440-942-9716
Dan
Pribanic owns
Chagrin
River outfitters located at 100 North Main Street in
Chagrin Falls Ohio 44022. They are a full service fly
shop and they have one of the areas best selections of
Steelhead Alley fly gear. Give Dan a call at
440-247-7110
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
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.
Gone Fishing Bait
and Tackle
Bill
Laughard owns Gone fishing Bait and tackle at 1027
Munroe Falls ave in Cuyahoga Falls Ohio. The word
is out on the steelhead runs the Cuyahoga has been
getting the past couple of years. Plus it has some great
bass and pike fishing. Bill knows the river well
and he knows where they are biting. 330-945-4590
Snug Harbor Bait
and Tackle
Jack owns
Snug Harbor Bait and tackle located at 1021 Broad Street
in Conneaut Ohio. The shop sits on the bluff looking
over the mouth of Conneaut creek and the Harbor. I'm in
his shop daily in the summer because in my opinion
Conneaut is the best fishing port on lake Erie. The
perch fishing is consistent all summer and fall and the
walleye fishery peaks in July and August. Snug Harbor
has the right bait, tackle, and advise to make your trip
a success. they also clean fish. Jack also maintains a
river report line call 440-593-3755
StudioEoutdoors
Online
store carrying a variety of fly tying supplies at
discount prices.
CustomFishingTackle.com
John
DeMartino owns the online store CustomFishingTackle.com
out of Rochester NY. He is a Great Lakes pioneer
of using Centerpins for steelhead. He also builds
custom Rods and sells a wide selection of gear for the
centerpin enthusiast online
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
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.
Mentor
Bravo! Cucina
Italiana
7787
Reynolds Road Mentor 440-946-2090
Willoughby
Willoughby
Brewing Company
4057 Erie Street Willoughby Try the Cheddar Ale Soup..!!
Painsville
Pickle Bills
101 River Street Grand River is located on the water
and is a locals favorite for Crab Legs, Prime Rib and
Shrimp. I highly recommend them. 440-352-6343
Brennans
Fish House
102 River
Street Grand River Excellent fresh fish and seafood
440-354-9785
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
Briquettes
Smokehouse
in Historic downtown Ashtabula harbor 440-964-2273
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
STEELHEAD ALLEY Motels
Comfort Inn Exit #241 Rt 45
Austinburg Ohio is the home of our Spring Steelhead School and offers convenient
lodging for guests fishing Eastern Ohio. 440-275-2711
The Green Roof Inn is located Just
2 miles south of I-90 on rt 18 they are close to the action and very fishermen
friendly. Gene tells me the rooms are very clean. They have reports
on their web site.
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Dfishinfool's fly shop
