Pretentious Snobby Bastard Fly Fishing!

Fly Fishing Reports => Local Trip Reports => Topic started by: itieuglyflies on November 19, 2021, 15:54:57 PM

Title: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: itieuglyflies on November 19, 2021, 15:54:57 PM
Once again I endured the 8hr. drive from Richmond to the Lake Erie tributaries to join my WV buddy for
5 days of steelhead fishing. For good fishing you need a good flow of water (but not too high) and a good run
of fish. In November, it can go either way and can change fast, plus the weather factor...several times I have
been chased south by the ole lake effect snows.
This year we hit it just right. Three days prior to our arrival the streams were blown out but dropping and clearing
when we arrived, but by the last day the water had dropped and cleared.....very spooky fish.

Did I mention weather? One early morning we were hit by an ice storm. My chest pack
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Nobody must work these days. Covid has put them on the trout streams. We saw more folks out this year than ever.
But with miles of streams to fish and the willingness to walk, solitude and good fishing could be found.
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What I particularly like about steelheads is their willingness to hit a fly. I have found dead drifting a white
streamer can be deadly as it imitates a dying emerald shiner. Prior to the trip I tied up 15 and needless to say
they got chewed up.
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We caught lots of fish (and yes Woolly I know I am bad, but I counted). As the water cleared we switched over to
small size 14 and 16 nymphs.
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How many fish can you see in this picture?
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 Good fun for sure....As Arnold would say "I will be back"

Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: Phil on November 19, 2021, 16:46:42 PM
Go, Fred! Awesome!  :bow  :bow  'c;
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: Dougfish on November 19, 2021, 19:20:52 PM
Woot! Very nicely done, Fred!  'c;
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: Trout Maharishi on November 19, 2021, 19:55:38 PM
You got into some nice looking fish! :cheers  Sometimes the worse the weather is the better they bite.
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: Yallerhammer on November 20, 2021, 08:13:44 AM
Those are some fine looking fish, and some really good looking water. What lives in there besides the steelhead?
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: Big J on November 21, 2021, 08:45:56 AM
I look forward to this report every year!  d:b Does your friend like to make new friends?
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: Woolly Bugger on November 21, 2021, 09:08:37 AM
looks like a grand time @itieuglyflies  :cheers

something that I've been talking about for some time  V:;
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: rbphoto on November 22, 2021, 06:48:22 AM
Awesome!

Those white streamers are the ticket on Erie tribs more often than not.

Raymond
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: joe friday on November 22, 2021, 12:10:01 PM
Wow!  that looks fantastic.  Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: itieuglyflies on November 22, 2021, 13:44:33 PM
FYI- there were at least 6 Steelheads visible in the last stream shot photo in my report. It always amazes me how just trout can blend into their environment.  (much easier to see when on stringer...and that's ok, too)
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: Stone-Man on November 23, 2021, 12:59:38 PM
Good stuff, Fred.     Pretty steel   !!!

  JT
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: Onslow on November 26, 2021, 07:15:23 AM
Very nice!
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: Fishbug on November 27, 2021, 14:49:37 PM
 :Dance

What rod wt you swinging?
euro any?
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: itieuglyflies on November 27, 2021, 20:33:30 PM
Quote from: Fishbug on November 27, 2021, 14:49:37 PM:Dance

What rod wt you swinging?
euro any?
Use 10ft Syndicate 7wt...and depending on conditions, often do tight line nymphing (euro), but most of time regular fly line set-up
necessary for longer presentation. I carry two reels
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: Stone-Man on November 28, 2021, 16:32:28 PM
I know that there is a month left in this year, but you have had a helluva year with the fly rod. All the stripers in VA. plus  lots of trout in E. Tenn.  And now this great steel trip.  Pat on the back for  a great year in the water   !!!!!

  Stone- Man
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: itieuglyflies on November 28, 2021, 17:45:41 PM
Quote from: Stone-Man on November 28, 2021, 16:32:28 PMI know that there is a month left in this year, but you have had a helluva year with the fly rod. All the stripers in VA. plus  lots of trout in E. Tenn.  And now this great steel trip.  Pat on the back for  a great year in the water   !!!!!



  Stone- Man

JT-it has been a good year! I also was fortunate to fish Alaska for 10 days in early September. Retirement life
is good.
Title: Re: Not so local...cold steel
Post by: Dee-Vo on December 02, 2021, 13:06:28 PM
Nice work.

I'm heading up there in a week or so to get into some of that steel myself. Can't wait.