Erie Steelhead Fishing : Elk and Walnut Creek

It's been a long time since I fished for fall steelhead trout in the tributaries of Lake Erie. Come join good friend Mark, the Old Man, and me as we brave the elements to chase some chrome. The fish were actively taking a variety of presentations on this trip!

[@PaulO-bf1ox]

Been subscribed, watch and love the videos but cringe when I see C&R fish held for pic with thumb through the gills. Fish are big and fairly tough but gill plates are fragile .... great video. Thank you

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I've been handling steelhead for over 30 years and know how to gill them without harm. I wouldn't reccomend it for those who don't know how. But I also don't like it when I see anglers trying to hold them the traditional way, hand around tail and under belly. I've seen fish flop out and hit the ground or worse being braced against waders. This removes protective slime. I prefer the quick picture and release and know how to hold them. Appreciate your comment though!

[@forrest9097]

That snow makes for some awesome scenery

[@fish-itis9469]

Yes, thank you. We lucked out on this trip with a fresh layer of snow. Nothing better than catching steel in the snow!

[@forrest9097]

fish-itis sweet, snow makes everything better

[@tomkirk7368]

Great 3 days on steelhead alley. Mega fix! Awesome having #1son as a steelhead partner.

[@fish-itis9469]

That was a crazy trip! We caught so many fish I had a ton of footage to edit through. I'm definitely not complaining though!

[@ram76921]

Wow, I was really shocked to see the Steelhead strike those gulp minnows. I used those before at a private lake which all the stocked fish there went nuts over them, but other than that I never had luck with them. Might have to recheck this time when I go up in a few weeks.

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks for watching! Yes they can be really effective at times especially when the fish are aggressive and water isn't too clear.

[@doubledownfishing4769]

Nice video I really enjoyed it!

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks for tuning in! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Steve-sv3ln]

Great footage...coldvweather fishing is the best! Is that bridge below the legion hole?

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks! Yes

[@bobmariano3731]

Get the net 👍😮🎣

[@Moondog9322]

Another enjoyable video! Great scenery too! Keep them coming!

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks for watching Moondog. You do much steelhead fishing? It was beautiful with the snow even if a little chilly!

[@Moondog9322]

@@fish-itis9469 Sometimes, my buddies hope for a "bonus" steelie when we're going for walleyes. Doesn't happen much, but when they hit......oh man!!! Happy Thanksgiving!

[@fish-itis9469]

Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

[@Jefftom66]

Enjoyed it...I don't live that far away from here and it is nice to see some out of towners having fun.

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks for watching! I used to live in Pittsburgh and fished Erie tribs all the time. Still a blast to visit occasionally and see if the same techniques still work. Take Care...

[@Pwrcritter]

Woke up to 6 inches of snow a couple years ago at maumee, lol. Catching up on your steelhead videos. How long a drive is it for u guys here? Nearly 3 for me..

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks for watching! Nothing better than catching steel in the snow. That trip was a memorable one for sure. One of those days where the fish were really active. It's about 7 hours for us being in Northern Michigan. No worries though since we have some of the best fishing for other species. I can even get some steel here as well, but not much in the way of numbers. I fished for decades for steelhead when I live in Pittsburgh and still enjoy making a few trips a year from Michigan.

[@saltwaterangling472]

Heading up next monday hopefully I get into a few after these rain showers

[@fish-itis9469]

Good luck to you! I'll be there in a few weeks. Gonna hit several creeks all along Steelhead Alley. Thanks for stopping by!

[@saltwaterangling472]

@@fish-itis9469 sweet once they begin running I hit it every day off

[@teamfatkatzfishing6908]

Great Video fish-itis !!!

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks so much! Do you fish for steelhead?

[@fish-itis9469]

Never mind. Just checked out your channel. I subscribed!

[@teamfatkatzfishing6908]

@@fish-itis9469 Cool thanks

[@tommelville8771]

How night were you on Elk creek. Love fishing there, 7 hours for us from NYC. NICE VIDEO

[@fish-itis9469]

Yes, great fishing there for sure. Takes me about 8 hours to get there. Thanks for checking us out!

[@mrselfdefeat1128]

I met the old man today, I was leaving the parking lot by the train tressel. Lol small world.

[@fish-itis9469]

Lol! That's great. He's been fishing those streams for a really long time! Thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@mrselfdefeat1128]

fish-itis so I’m new to stealhead this year. When you tied that nymph to the bend in your sucker spawn hook, what knot did you use? Also what sort of sucker spawn was that? Thanks for the help!

[@fish-itis9469]

Sure Don! I just tied a clinch to the bend of the hook for the dropper fly. The top fly is usually a sucker spawn and I switch around. That day I was using a pink sucker spawn tied out of angora yarn as well as what is called a blood dot. This is tied out of egg yarn with natural orange and a brighter orange or charteuse for the center of the fly. There's something about using a nymph as a dropper. It seems the sucker spawn serves more as an attractor fly getting the steelhead's attention. They then see the smaller nymph and usually take it. They also take the sucker spawn though but not as much.

[@mrselfdefeat1128]

Thanks so much for the help!!! And keep up the videos, they are great!

[@fish-itis9469]

Thank you! We really enjoy putting them together. I forgot to mention another good fly is a small (size 16 hook) white angora sucker spawn with hot pink thread. This fly with a nymph dropper can catch a lot of fish especially at the head of pools. Good luck fishing if you get out!

[@ontariosteelheadoutfitters5838]

keep your hands out their gills fool

[@davekukulka7013]

Way to handle the fish by dropping it

[@fish-itis9469]

lol...complete accident. Usually the Boga grip holds them pretty good. Fish was fine though. In case you didn't kow, steelhead are pretty tough fish. After all, they were named steelhead because they required an extra "whack" from Columbia River Fisheries staff to kill them when salmon only required one. Hence the name. Thanks for watching anyway!

[@erniewalker5050]

Didn't get up there yet!!!

[@fish-itis9469]

The good thing about steelhead fishing season is it's really long! You can catch fish all winter as long as the creeks don't freeze over.

[@hothead6608]

Can’t put your hands up on the rod that high I will break everytime

[@fish-itis9469]

Break the line or the rod? I use noodle rods which are extremely difficult to break. I've used the same one for 25 years. Hard to break the line as well since they have so much give. I use 6 pound with light flurocarbon leaders. Thanks for watching and commenting though! Should be getting some really good steelhead runs soon!

[@andrewbaker9069]

What is your line and leader setup?

[@fish-itis9469]

First of all thanks for stopping by! I use Trilene XT Low Vis Green 6 pound test for the main line, then tie on Seaguar flurocarbon leader if conditions are clear.

[@johnhaut3894]

Hope the fish in the beginning wasn’t released probably died right after if he did

[@fish-itis9469]

Don't remember if we did or not but do you know why the name steelhead? Because they didn't even die after being clubbed in the head by commercial fishing. Ridiculously tough fish...

[@truenorthangler]

Great video guys. Really enjoyed it, scenery was a bonus. You guys did very well, that brown looked awesome with the colours on him. Subscribed, would appreciate if you did the same. Cheers Adrian

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks for watching! I'll check you out.

[@seanschrade1752]

Boga grips and really bad for fish

[@maineoutdoorsman677]

He should kick ur ass for calling him old man I see white hairs on ur head guy so who calling who old .just for men darken that shit up help u with the lady’s