Ohio Fly Fishing

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Overview of Ohio Steelhead Fishing in Ohio Tributaries – by Gerald Darkes
Ohio tributaries offer excellent opportunities to tangle with steelhead averaging six to eight pounds, and topping out close to twenty. Ohio steelhead begin to show up in numbers in the tributary streams in late October, and fish can continue to run well into May, weather being the deciding factor. Lake Erie tributaries depend upon precipitation to maintain flows, with periods of high-water triggering fish movements. These streams are mainly slate and shale bottomed with limited gravel areas, and lack cold water feeders to maintain temperatures and flows through the summer.

Natural reproduction is virtually nonexistent, so the Ohio Division of Wildlife obtains Little Manistee (Michigan) fertilized eggs and raises them to smolts. These wild-strain fish have adapted well to Ohio waters, and exhibit high growth and return rates. Approximately 250,000 smolts are stocked each spring, with four major tributaries receiving fish. The Chagrin and Rocky Rivers are true urban fisheries, with many fish caught within a half-hour of downtown Cleveland. The Grand River and Conneaut Creek are in less-developed areas, with portions being quite remote and requiring a bit of walking to access.

Although only the four major tributaries receive stockings, steelhead may be found in any waters entering Lake Erie east of Cleveland. Other streams worth exploring are Arcola Creek, Wheeler and Cowles Creeks, the Ashtabula River, and Turkey Creek. These waters are worth a look when the larger tributaries are unfishable in high water. The tributaries of the Grand River, including Big Creek, Kellogg Creek, and Paineland Mill Creek, also draw fish, especially in the spring.

Ohio steelhead will respond to the flies and techniques used elsewhere throughout the Great Lakes. I usually let time of year and water conditions determine my method of attack. Early-run fish will be aggressive in the higher water temperatures, and have a much greater tendency to respond to moving flies. Swinging or actively retrieving baitfish imitations or attractor patterns will produce many strikes. Floating lines and sink-tips may both be utilized.

After the leaf fall and a good rain to flush out organic matter, the streams change character. The water will “green up,” signaling the start of the prime winter steelheading which lasts until ice-up. The trick is to fish while the streams are dropping and clearing after high water. If a heavy freeze does not occur, fishing can be had throughout the winter.

When stream temperatures are dropping, dead-drifting flies becomes the most effective method of producing fish. I have found that a tandem rig, with an egg pattern and nymph, is deadly. This rig can be suspended under a large indicator, or tight-lined depending upon depth and water flow, and split shot is used to gain depth. This technique will produce at any time, but it’s best as water temperatures drop through the 40s and into the 30s.

Small glo-bugs, and a Pennsylvania creation called the sucker spawn fly, are favorite egg patterns. The sucker spawn pattern has been used in central Pennsylvania for years to catch early-season trout feeding on the roe from spawning suckers-and steelhead love it. Cream is the best color in clear conditions, with chartreuse, orange and pink getting the nod in stained water.

Generic nymph patterns are fine, as there is little natural insect life, and a variety of “buggy looking” patterns should be carried in sizes 10 to 16. Have a selection of colors, as the fish can become very color conscious. Bead-head versions of the Prince or Teeny nymph are effective, and simple black or brown stoneflies are consistent producers. With both eggs and nymphs, change color schemes frequently. Also, decrease fly size as the water clears.

In the warmer water following ice out, a number of fly patterns may produce on a given day. Wooly buggers and egg sucking leeches, both in black, are standard patterns, but purple is my favorite color. Egg patterns and nymphs also continue to work well-I’ve had good success with a variety of large nymphs like the Bitch Creek and girdle bug.

A long, mid-weight rod is ideal for both line control and fighting fish. A ten-footer for 7-weight is a good all-around choice. A weight-forward floating line will cover most situations, but a sink-tip will have occasional applications. Leaders tapering to 3X are a good place to start, but in high, colored waters, 2X may be needed. For dead-drifting and clearer water, leaders up to 10 or 12 feet may be needed, with tippet diameters down to 5X.

A steelhead reel should have a smooth drag to cushion light tippets and prevent small flies from pulling out, and should hold 50 to 100 yards of backing. I have become fond of large-arbor designs for quick line pick-up on active fish.

There is no closed season on Ohio’s Lake Erie tributaries, and peak times are generally the month of December, and from mid-March through April. Two fish can be killed, but most serious steelheaders practice catch and release.

Access to productive water is excellent as miles of rivers are under the control of both the Cleveland (440-234-9597) and Lake County (800-227-7275 ) Metroparks Systems, and maps showing fishing areas are available from both. The Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders has put together a detailed map of Rocky River, and it’s available by calling (440) 572-0400. The Ohio Gazetteer is also helpful for access.

The Ohio steelhead fishery allows anglers to hook large, lake-run fish on flies. Lake Erie tributaries may lack the scenic grandeur of the Northwest , but the fish are there and they are close to home. They are not stream-bred fish, but they do have wild blood. Best of all, they love to eat flies!

Productive Ohio Steelhead Flies
Recently we have been overwhelmed with numerous questions and requests for some of Northeast Ohio’s “Hot Fly Patterns” for Lake Erie Steelhead. So we thought about it long and hard, and we have decided to share the secrets of our success with you all. We have to say that these are the most effective for Lake Erie Steelhead and are proven to also be the most popular among most Steelheader’s as well. Some guy’s have their own secret version of these flies, and others we’ve never even seen before. The first Fly is one of our Favorite’s for Early Fall.

• Black Bead Head Wooly Bugger: Fished in the Fall, this is a deadly Fly that will produce a strike or two. size’s 10,12, 14, 16
• Clouser Minnow/Bleeding Minnow: Fished all year this is a Fly that will catch all species of fish, in fresh and salt water. Awesome smallmouth as well!
• Bead Head Olive Wooly Bugger: Fished mainly in the early Fall, I’ve found myself using it in the winter as well, tipped w/maggots it’s irresistible!
• White/Pink Sucker Spawn: This is perhaps one of the most productive of all Great Lakes flies for early Spring Steelhead period!
• Gold Bead Hare’s Ear: This Fly I have used in Fl, Mo, Or, Ca, Wa, and even in Canada for spectacular results with Trout and Bass!

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