Erie Steelhead: Tips and Techniques for Elk and Walnut Creek

[@jasonnester9514]

Social media absolutely ruined fishing amd hunting

[@ericm425]

Agreed. Competition is getting crazy out there

[@markjungdahl3054]

This is the best technique vid for Lake Erie trib steelhead I've seen. Great history lesson as well as explanation of how and why to use a variety of bait. A shoulder injury has put a hamper on my fly rod but after watching this I will give the noodling rod a go. Thx

[@fish-itis9469]

Thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed the vid. Hope you like noodle rod fishing and soon heal to get back to fly fishing as well!

[@Irideus]

Love it ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~cheers to the steelhead journey!!!!!!!!!!!!cheers

[@fish-itis9469]

Thank you!

[@tomkirk7368]

Brings back memories for old man. Salmon fishing was first for him as a kid and me a semi old man. We used to blow up big giant nite crawlers and toss them out on the bottom..we fished a place called the cage at trout run in Erie pa. It had about 20 pillars in it from old boat docks. When these big giant salmon were hooked they would try to wrap the line around these plllers. Fun challenge to try and land them. Those were the days!!

[@nolanminor6761]

Words of wisdom. Not many people who fish a certain body of water for years and years are willing to change with the times.

[@fish-itis9469]

That is so true Nolan. Fish change with the angling pressure. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[@bobmariano3731]

Awesome video & advice , my brothers & cousin use to fish Elk & Walnut Creek’s in the early & late 70’s for coho & chinook . Haven’t been back since because moved to AZ & CO. Thx for sharing . 👍🎣⚾️

[@fish-itis9469]

Appreciate it! I remember the salmon days as well.

[@wpak4482]

Heading up there for the first time this weekend. This was very helpful, thank you!

[@fish-itis9469]

Nice! Hope you get into them! Thanks for watching the video.

[@upice3]

Pleasure to watch. Very nice job 👍

[@fish-itis9469]

Thank you! Appreciate it.

[@red_fox_flareside]

Thank you for this helpful video. New to living in Pa and steelhead fishing.

[@fish-itis9469]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for checking us out and commenting. Good luck fishing!

[@red_fox_flareside]

fish-itis Thanks and good luck to you as well. I went fishing today on Elk and Crooked creek but no luck.

[@jamesmartuccio5424]

Love the video will try out tomorrow, had a hard time today. Going to try out these out and hope to get on some.

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks! Good luck and let me know how you do. Go really small if low and clear!

[@Steve-sv3ln]

Thx for the help partner! ♥️ The Gospel of John, when you're ready.🔥

[@fish-itis9469]

😊

[@DigitalFMJ]

Great video! I miss the days of a #14 treble and four wax worms...lol. One other key difference is also in the watershed, especially on Walnut... Peach jam really removed a lot of the feeder streams ability to slowly release rainfall making Walnut more of a runoff stream. Back in the 80s we would have a couple of stained days after a silted stream... Its seems much less these days...

[@fish-itis9469]

Thank you! I've been fishing the Erie Streams for 35 years and they certainly have changed. I remember those days fondly. And you're right about walnut. It runs off so quickly now that the fish have a hard time "running the gauntlet" so to speak and getting very far up. They still do but usually not until much later in the season. And with the record breaking crowds it's important to adapt and develop new techniques. Appreciate you taking the time to comment!

[@johnrosciolo8640]

Went to elk and walnut last week, going back up this weekend I'm addicted, my uncle has came to eerie for the last 40 years and the only thing he has ever had luck with is nightcrawlers

[@fish-itis9469]

Nightcrawlers are still a great bait to use. There are plenty of imitation that work really well in higher water too. Steelhead fishing is the most addicting ever!

[@Radeo12]

Awesome video! Definitely some great info. Keep it up man.

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks so much. Appreciate it!

[@rjbassfishingtravel2041]

Those are some great tips brother. You know that isn't far from where I'm located and I've never done it. I tried Cold Creek in Ohio near Cleveland once. Tight lines from Rick

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks for taking a look. You'll have to give it try. But I must warn you...it's as addicting as any other kind of fishing! Take Care!

[@rjbassfishingtravel2041]

@@fish-itis9469 if it takes away from the bass fishing it may be tough, lol

[@fish-itis9469]

That's what I said before trying it! Bass fishing still ranks really high for me too, but there was a time when I fished exclusively for bass then tried the steel and got hooked on it. Did that for about 10 years when I lived in PA. Now living in Northern MI I fish for everything but there's still nothing better than a big smallie on the end of the line!

[@xiaoxuji6351]

I really like your trout fishing techniques. I think spots are also important. Do you mind to tell me where the hot spots are for elk and Walnut Creek? It will be very grateful!!!

[@scottborman5180]

xiaoxu ji the Manchester hole in walnut is right up the stream after the bridge. It’s really popular though so a lot of people fish it and it gets crowded

[@FishermanJoel]

Great video, really helped me a lot

[@fish-itis9469]

Thank you! I hope it helps you catch more steel!

[@chucksgmgarage1116]

New sub here like the content.

[@fish-itis9469]

Thank you! Appreciate it

[@NateKirk-to9xf]

Nice

[@reelphatties6426]

Great video I watched both of them 🤙

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks! Looks like you love chasing steel also. Nothing better....

[@reelphatties6426]

Yes I do it had been a really bad year for fishing in Washington state where I live but we still been trying to get on some fish

[@fish-itis9469]

That's some tough fishing out there I hear. Not at all like fishing Lake Erie tribs.

[@pamountainmilitia3977]

Like your Steel Head mount in the background, I do fiberglass mounts for some of my Friends, all commodity mounts. I wondered what is your favorite nymph, and size? Thanks Im going uo in march for three days, I live in central PA>

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks! Appreciate you tuning in. For steelhead there are countless types of nymphs that work. Having a variety of stone fly, hare's ear, and pheasant tail nymphs is a good place to start. Then start experimenting with less common nymphs. All you have to do is find something the fish haven't seen before. As for size, the water level/clarity dictates this. I've gone down to size 18 in crystal clear water with 14 and 12 for higher conditions. Good luck!

[@pavlorodchenko2064]

Hi. In the video they show the bending rod. Can you tell what rod is that for steelhead? Thanks in advance

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! That is a noodle rod used with very light line . The flimsy rod prevents break offs. We use mostly st Croix 10' 6", but I also use an old g Loomis 11'6".

[@pavlorodchenko2064]

@@fish-itis9469 thank you very much. i go online to look for it as i am getting ready to go Erie Fishing first time for steelhead.

[@sfnomad2337]

Awesome video! I just subscribed…what time of year is the fishing at walnut good like this. I see it’s fall was just wondering if this Novemberish?

[@fish-itis9469]

Hi there! Thanks for watching! Mid to end of November is peak

[@sfnomad2337]

@@fish-itis9469 thanks!! Appreciate the reply!

[@truenorthangler]

Great video pal. Love the fish mount on the table, how big was that? Thanks for the tips, they will help a lot not only for those Erie tributaries but for all Great Lakes tribs. Love your channel, keep it up. Cheers from Ontario.

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks a lot! That fish was right around 12 pounds. We used to catch them big "back in the day" on Elk and Walunt. You can still get the occasional fish over 10 pounds but it's not as often anymore. Take care!

[@truenorthangler]

fish-itis Not many big ones this year as well. Not sure why but at least we’re catching fish.

[@fish-itis9469]

Yes. We've seen some really good runs this fall of nice fish. The bigger ones have been hard to come by.. Not complaining though!

[@pamountainmilitia3977]

Where do you get your bigger Nymps, reds ? I have smaller Lively legs Nymps, but would like some size #4 or #6 Nymps like hares ear stonefly, I currently do not tye flys yet.

[@fish-itis9469]

You could probably get them at Poor Richards. Otherwise, there are lots of online stores that sell them. The larger ones are definitely better when the water is higher.

[@pamountainmilitia3977]

@@fish-itis9469 I use lively legs Nymps, but size 10 is the biggest they make in the HD Stonefly, thanks I will look , Oh yea found some, Thanks again and good fishing.

[@jamesmcdowell8405]

What lb test do you recommended for fluorocarbon leader for steelhead at walnut and elk?

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks for tuning in! For Erie tribs which run low and clear a majority of the time I go with 4X, but it's usually a good idea to have a few different sizes with you. Going with a bit lighter can get you more bites but also more lost fish. It gets tough if you go lower than 4X, but that's where a good noodle rod comes in handy.

[@randomtwo5026]

Have you had any luck with spoons? Heading up there this weekend

[@fish-itis9469]

I've done well on spoons early season at the mouths of streams. Have to have perfect conditions though! It's a blast when they are on; the strikes are vicious! Good luck to ya...

[@pamountainmilitia3977]

Have to get some clear floats at fish U.S.A. What is the best size?

[@fish-itis9469]

I like to use Blackbirds and Drennan for most conditions. The clearer and lower the water the smaller the float. When it's really clear I use a small Thill.

[@ryancafin7892]

I catch all my steelhead on a jig 1/32 head mostly black body different color heads..i out fish most people and limit quickly

[@fish-itis9469]

Nice! We've been using 1/32 jigs in various colors for 30 years. The minifoo has been around for a long time and still catches a lot of fish. It's a good hair jig. Lately, it's been maribou that gets the majority of fish. It's good to switch often, especially colors when it comes to steelhead. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@claudiu1967]

Nice video,very educational,where you have the single eggs you buy or you make them ,thanks Claudiu

[@fish-itis9469]

Appreciate you watching! I just purchase my single eggs but I know a lot of guys who cure their own. Brown trout eggs can be especially hot at certain times.

[@claudiu1967]

@@fish-itis9469 ok can you, please tell me from where or you know any secret cure for single eggs to don't burst when you put them on the hook

[@claudiu1967]

@@fish-itis9469 thanks a lot

[@fish-itis9469]

We used to use borax. Put single eggs in a big Zip Lock bag and fill with water. Let them sit for 20 min. then drain the water out. Empty onto paper towels and let dry 30 min. Then put back in bag. Cover eggs with light coating of borax (find at grocery store laundry). Shake it up! Divy them up into smaller bags for fishing and freeze. Before you fish rinse thaw them. Then dry again and either tie into bags or use for singles. That's what I remember doing. I just buy them now. Maybe others on here have more ways. If so please share!

[@claudiu1967]

@@fish-itis9469 thanks a lot, you the man, and where you are can buy them

[@jacobmyers1860]

I just spool up with main line fluorocarbon

[@fish-itis9469]

Yeah, I've done that too. But I like the 6 pound XT for higher water conditions. And it's much more abrasion resistant. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@b1ink586]

Who is Jeter? And does he guide?

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks for stopping by! Jeters is the best steelhead fisherman on the creek. He's been doing it for 40 years. You can't miss him if you fish the access of Elk...He's the guy catching all the fish! He doesn't guide but probably should. I pointed him out on this video because he constantly evolves with the increase in pressure, coming up with new flies every season. He always finds something the fish have never seen before....

[@donaldcombs7604]

I went up friday from none to dark got no steelheads and fishing on walnut iam about ready to give up on steelheads fishing am from knox pa

[@fish-itis9469]

Don't give up. A lot of it depends on timing and water temperature. All the techniques on this video work but not if the fish aren't there or the water is too warm...

[@johnrosciolo8640]

@donald combs I was at that point last year, have made 14 trips since then and caught fish everytime, keep changing colors and rigs up, fish the slow water close to banks and you will hook up.

[@donaldcombs7604]

Hey ty

[@alexrocco5224]

it was a good video but the microphone scratching made me stop after awhile.

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks for taking a look. I had some problems with the mic, but could't fix it.

[@TyPigPatrol]

really great channel! I subbed, appreciate the same!

[@camrot06ify]

Tip for walnut don't go there its but to nut

[@fish-itis9469]

Been that way for decades. The "chutes" above Manchester Hole, combined with low water, keep the bulk of the fish down low, and with it all the anglers. Combat fishing!

[@stevegraver7186]

Thanks for sharing

[@fish-itis9469]

Thanks for stopping by! Hope those tips help you catch more fish.

[@dwetick1]

Last time I tried eating one of these steelhead was in 1972...Un-edible is the word I use. Release everything now-a-days.

[@fish-itis9469]

Yeah, I used to release them all and still do let most of them go. I do like to eat a chromer once in a while. I actually like the taste of a fresh one.

[@markburek5841]

Lose the boca grip! Terrible for the fish

[@bakdraft6578]

Backlighting sucks cant see